Helpful Score: 4
This is probably one of the top five books I have ever read. The humor is wonderful, and the message is clear. I think it is a wonderful book for late elementary aged students, as it teaches history at the same time keeping the subject light and interesting.
I liked this young adult novel. It showed how Elijah grew and learned about adults. He grew up free, but the novel showed slavery and its effects.
I read this book to my boys, they really identified with the main character. We laughed and cried, and learned a lot. Based on a true place in Canada, and experiences we could scarcely imagine.
A superb book for young readers. Not only did the book make me laugh, it gave me much insight on conditions for freed slaves who escaped and found a new life in Canada. I highly recommend this for any upper elementary or junior high student. It is a funny story with important and interesting history underneath. Many schoolkids study slavery and the Underground RR--this book provides a glimpse of "what happens next?"
