12-year-old Clara, a slave and seamstress on Home Plantation, has been dragged away from her mother to work, but at least she's able to use her gift with a needle to keep herself safe. Still, she dreams of freedom — not just for herself, but for her family and friends. When she overhears a conversation about the Underground Railroad, she has a flash of inspiration. Using scraps of cloth from her work in the Big House and scraps of information gathered from other slaves, she fashions a map that the master would never even recognize... a quilt full of tips for runaways that might even reunite Clara and her mother.
From the award-winning author-illustrator team of Deborah Hopkinson and James Ransome, this fictional tale of of creativity and determination on the Underground Railroad continues to inspire young readers 25 years after its original publication.
"What's emphasized are Clara's resolve and creativity and the accomplishment of winning her freedom; in the same vein, Ransome depicts the characters as sturdy, purposeful, and mutually supportive and sets them in colorful landscapes eloquently proclaiming the earth's beauty. A well-told, handsomely illustrated story that effectively dramatizes young Clara's perseverance and courage." — Kirkus Reviews
Recommended Age | 6 - 9 |
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Author | Deborah Hopkinson |
ISBN | 0679874720 |
Publication Date | Jul 10, 1995 |
Publisher | Dragonfly Books |
Language | English |