PDF - Christian Library Journal

CHILDREN’S NONFICTION
understand the historical aspects, without
overwhelming the reader with details. The oil
and canvas illustrations by Michael Dooling are
excellent. Included is a brief list of Benjamin
Franklin’s inventions and sayings from Poor
Richard’s Almanack. Historic sites of interest to
those studying the life Benjamin are included, as
well as a bibliography and index. His life is an
example of hard work, a desire to learn, and
integrity.
Elizabeth Coleman, Freelance Writer, Tumwater, Washington
★
The last safe house : a story of the
underground railroad, written by
Barbara Greenwood; illustrated by
Heather Collins. Toronto, Ont.: Kids Can
Press, 1998. ISBN 1550745077, HBB,
$16.95.
973.7’115. Underground railroad; Fugitive slaves--
United States; Fugitive slaves--Canada; Underground
railroad--Fiction; Fugitive slaves--United States--
Fiction; Fugitive slaves--Canada--Fiction. 119 p.
Elementary (Middle school).
An incredible amount of information is given
about the Underground Railroad in The Last
Safe House by Barbara Greenwood. The story
line is of a black girl who is delivered to a white
family with a girl about her own age, Johanna
Reid, in St. Catharines, Canada West (now
Ontario). During her escape from slavery, Eliza,
her mother, and her brother separate to avoid
being captured. The relationship between the
two girls helps to document the unjust treatment
of slaves in the south and the realities of the life
that they led. Between each chapter of the story
are inserted articles with teaching about
numerous aspects of slavery. Some concepts
talked about are Harriet Tubman, a cotton
plantation and how it worked, the abolitionists,
and the swamp ghost. Information is given
about so many related subjects that this book is
incredibly valuable for integrating with other
subjects. For example, a recipe for gingerbread
cookies is given, instructions on how to make a
corn husk doll, how to find the North Star and
instruments that were used, storytelling
examples and how-to’s, and the role of music
and songs. Maps and diagrams are added
throughout to further illustrate the concepts.
The book ends with a simple glossary, a
bibliography, and an index.
The drawings of Heather Collins very
effectively complete the message of this book.
Her depictions of the girls and their family life
capture wonderfully the feelings of the story line
and the historic times. Some pictures are full
pages and many others are small oval
illustrations. They are done in black and white,
with varying amounts of detail. The diagrams
and maps bring even more understanding to the
text.
Judy Belcher, Teacher, Sylvan Way Christian School, Bremerton,
Washington
Blizzard, by Jim Murphy. LCCN
99024894. New York: Scholastic, 2000.
ISBN 0590673092, HBB, $18.95.
974.7’1041. Blizzards--New York (State)--New York;
New York (N.Y.)--History--1865-1898. 136 p.
Elementary (Middle school).
In March of 1888 a killer blizzard struck the
Northeast. Author Jim Murphy chronicles the
events leading up to the blizzard and describes
vividly the raging natural monster in his book
Blizzard! He isolates certain people within his
book and tells their story, from the successful
politician to the office worker, farmer, and
factory worker. Murphy uses art from museums
and his own collection that depict the
viciousness of the snowstorm.
Although interesting, this book may become a
bit dull for some young readers. The story
becomes somewhat repetitive and dry, forcing
the reader to put it down and come back to it at
another time. The events are interesting and
adding personal accounts and tragedies liven the
text, it may still need to be read in segments to
younger readers. Some of the wording and
word choices may be difficult for younger
readers to understand without guidance.
Eileen Zygarlicke, Freelance Writer/Editor, Grand Forks, North
Dakota
S P R I N G 2 0 0 1 3 0 C H R I S T I A N L I B R A R Y J O U R N A L