Dear Austin: Letters from the Underground Railroad

Letters from the Underground Railroad

Illustrated by Nancy Carpenter
Now in paperback! In this companion novel to Dear Levi, told in letters,11-year-old Levi helps a young African American in a harrowing flight for freedom along the Underground Railroad.
Elvira Woodruff is the author of more than 20 picture books and novels for young adults. Her book Dear Napoleon, I Know You’re Dead, But . . . has been included in numerous child-voted state award programs, including the Mark Twain Book Award, the Sequoyah Children’s Book Award, and the West Virginia Children’s Book Award. Born and raised in New Jersey, Woodruff began writing professionally at the age of 35, and hasn’t stopped since. When she isn’t writing, she enjoys gardening (morning glories are a favorite) and traveling. She also spends a lot of her time visiting schools and libraries, sharing her ideas about writing with children.  View titles by Elvira Woodruff
Nancy Carpenter has won the Christopher Award for her picture book illustrations. A graduate of Parsons, she lives in Brooklyn, NY. View titles by Nancy Carpenter
  • NOMINEE | 2001
    Arizona Young Reader's Award
"Set in 1853, this sequel to Dear Levi consists of letters written by 11-year-old Levi Ives to his older brother Austin. . . . [He] describes his escapades in the Pennsylvania countryside with his friend, Jupiter, the son of a former slave. When Jupiter's sister is captured by slave traders, the two boys undertake a dangerous journey south to try and free her. While hiding in the woods, they meet Harriet Tubman, and Levi realizes that some of his neighbors are part of the Underground Railroad. Rich in adventure, mystery, and suspense, the succinctly written narrative depicts Levi's struggle to understand the prejudicial attitudes of others. This carefully researched and vividly imagined novel presents the emotional and gripping tale of one boy's confrontation with the issue of slavery and its significance in American history."        --School Library Journal

"Woodruff combines swift pacing, historical detail, humor, suffering, depth, and precise characterizations, for a wholly satisfying page turner." --Kirkus Reviews

About

Now in paperback! In this companion novel to Dear Levi, told in letters,11-year-old Levi helps a young African American in a harrowing flight for freedom along the Underground Railroad.

Author

Elvira Woodruff is the author of more than 20 picture books and novels for young adults. Her book Dear Napoleon, I Know You’re Dead, But . . . has been included in numerous child-voted state award programs, including the Mark Twain Book Award, the Sequoyah Children’s Book Award, and the West Virginia Children’s Book Award. Born and raised in New Jersey, Woodruff began writing professionally at the age of 35, and hasn’t stopped since. When she isn’t writing, she enjoys gardening (morning glories are a favorite) and traveling. She also spends a lot of her time visiting schools and libraries, sharing her ideas about writing with children.  View titles by Elvira Woodruff
Nancy Carpenter has won the Christopher Award for her picture book illustrations. A graduate of Parsons, she lives in Brooklyn, NY. View titles by Nancy Carpenter

Awards

  • NOMINEE | 2001
    Arizona Young Reader's Award

Praise

"Set in 1853, this sequel to Dear Levi consists of letters written by 11-year-old Levi Ives to his older brother Austin. . . . [He] describes his escapades in the Pennsylvania countryside with his friend, Jupiter, the son of a former slave. When Jupiter's sister is captured by slave traders, the two boys undertake a dangerous journey south to try and free her. While hiding in the woods, they meet Harriet Tubman, and Levi realizes that some of his neighbors are part of the Underground Railroad. Rich in adventure, mystery, and suspense, the succinctly written narrative depicts Levi's struggle to understand the prejudicial attitudes of others. This carefully researched and vividly imagined novel presents the emotional and gripping tale of one boy's confrontation with the issue of slavery and its significance in American history."        --School Library Journal

"Woodruff combines swift pacing, historical detail, humor, suffering, depth, and precise characterizations, for a wholly satisfying page turner." --Kirkus Reviews

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