Underground Railroad

School Library Journal

Gr 4-6-Airmen celebrates the pilots’ extraordinary achievements by placing them within the context of their time, when segregation was common. De Capua explains that some army officials were certain that African Americans lacked the “ability, intelligence and courage to be military pilots,” while other leaders passionately supported the Airmen and their right to serve. Personal accounts, historical photographs of training, news stories about the men’s fighting ability, and records of successful missions help to explain the squadron’s determination not only to fly but also to prove its proficiency and bravery. By demonstrating how the pilots’ success encouraged desegregation within the army and set a precedent for the then impending Civil Rights Movement, the author makes a case for the profound effect of past actions on the present. UndergroundRailroad describes how this secret system worked and introduces key figures. Williams discusses relevant laws and amendments as well as the advent and conclusion of the Civil War. The facts, presented through stories, historical news accounts, and biographical sketches of Harriet Tubman and Levi Weeks, capture the desperation of the enslaved as well as the abolitionists’ commitment to them. The books are concise and direct, yet the writing remains sophisticated. Vibrant personal stories accompanied by striking photographs of historical figures and artifacts provide a sense of the subjects’ hopes and dreams.–Margaret Auguste, Franklin Middle School, Somerset, NJ

School Library Journal

Gr 3-6-Easy-to-read summaries of the topics. Slavery includes information on the history of bondage in America and the treatment of slaves through the Civil War. Civil Rights covers Martin Luther King, Jr., Rosa Parks, and other figures who are less well known. Underground Railroad tells the stories of some of the fugitives, including Henry "Box" Brown's train journey to Philadelphia. The books have double-column, large-print texts and generous amounts of white space. All three titles are illustrated with numerous sepia-toned photographs. Slavery and Underground also have color illustrations. Captions are informative. These volumes are suitable for schools needing additional material or succinct treatments.-Margaret C. Howell, West Springfield Elementary School, VA Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.