Book Description

"There's a place the slaves been whisperin' around called Canada," Mammy tells her daughter one night. "The law don't allow no slavery there." The very next morning, a ruthless slave trader separates Julilly from her mother, taking Julilly to a plantation in the dreaded Deep South. The slave quarters there are crowded and filthy, and the slaves are as frail and thin as shadows. The cruel overseer lashes out with his whip at every opportunity. So when Julilly gets a chance to escape, she and her crippled friend Liza don't hesitate, despite their terror of what will happen if they are caught. They go disguised as boys, hiding by day and running by night. Along the way they are helped by courageous people who hide them in secret "stations" of the Underground Railway -- and they are pursued constantly by slave hunters and bloodhounds. Each close brush with danger brings them a step closer to Canada ... and freedom.

Reviews (1)

An indepth look at the horrible world of slavery.
We think that this book was a good way for kids to get a look at what history was like.The book was so amazingly detailed that you really could relate to how the characters felt.We belive that anybody interested inhistory, adventure, or just plain like to read would enjoy this book. ... Read more

Book Description

Illustrated in full color. Selina's family has a conflict of its own when

the American Civil War breaks out--they are Mennonites and their religion

forbids them to go to war. Learning that they are in danger, Selina's father

decides to move the family to Canada, where they can start a new life free from

religious persecution. Before they leave, Selina's grandmother presents her

with a patchwork quilt, a gift linking the generations. Authentic quilt designs

frame each of the illustrations in this moving story about family values and

the importance of passing on traditions.




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Reviews (1)

Selina and the Bear Paw Quilt
Selina and the Bear Paw Quilt is a wonderful children's book rich with American heritage.It is a tender story about a girl's sadness to leave her Grandmother as their family flees the conflict of Civil War and movesto Canada.Selina finds comfort in her memories found in the fabrics ofthe quilt her Grandmother sends along with her to Canada.

Theillustrations are heart warming and nearly every page has beautifullydetailed borders of actual quilts.A thoroughly charming and informativebook! ... Read more

Reviews (12)

Underground to canada was amazing!
In this book i expected it to be dull and boring but as you pass throught the first three pages you relize this book is great it has action, excitment and most of all sheer on your edge of your seat supence which i love so if you want to read a great book pick this one up it won't dissipoint you

A "Must" Read
This book is full of excitement, thrill and just pure attention-grabbing. I was ecstatic when I found out that my seventh grade class would be reading this book for novel study. I read this book in fifth grade and I loved it then and still do now. Barbara Smucker's way of combining true history into an action-packed novel is magnificent. Overall, this book is tremendous and I reccomend it to all ages.

It Changes your view on life!
This book is awesome! It makes you think of all the things you take for granted and hard it must have been to be owned.
The main character Julilly goes through some much hardship and pain trying to get to Canada to be free, but in the end it was all worth it. The book also tells about how some people died trying to get to the land of the free, Canada.
No matter what age you should read this book, you wont regret it!

The down side
I think that Underground to Canada was a good book and was written very well. However there were also many bad things about this book. There was the seperation of families which is a very sad theme. an example of this is when willy is nipped from his mother and he's only a little baby boy. Julilly is also taken away from her mom when she is very young. When this book first came out there was a protest. This protest was about the language used in this novel. There were many people who protested against the use of "nigger". It was used in very raicist terms and upset many people. Once Sim's said "get back to work you stupid nigger girl." Even if that's how people were at times it might incourage people now to speak the same way.

Underground to Canada Period 1- HHS- Mo Motahedy
I Think this book has been exceptionally written. The really best part about the book is the detail that Barbra Smucker put's into it. You feel your in the action yourself. Julilly and Liza are fugitive slaves running of for freedom (Canada). They go through harsh troubles and problems. Liza is crippled so Julilly needs to help her friend seek this dream. They go to plantation to plantation, finding at least an ounce of freedom. Unfortunatly, they were mistreated and beaten severly. First, it was the Riley Plantation where they were treated so badly and then they went of to the Sully plantation, right here in Chantilly off of Route 28. At Sully Plantation they were treated with some dignity but were put into severe labor. Julilly and Liza had a plan one day to escape and reach Canada. With the help of Jennifer and Adam they were on there to journey of hard fought battles. They kept there eye on one thing to follow the North Star. I think this book has been written so beautifully and I keep on reading it every year and find something even more interesting about the book. ... Read more