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lauren_soderberg's review against another edition
3.0
I appreciate what this book is trying to accomplish, but feel conflicted about the fact that this is written by a white woman. It frames it in a slightly white savior-y way that didn't sit quite well with me.
jeneenthepharm's review
dark
informative
inspiring
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
astoldbyjenny's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
tami_provencher's review against another edition
4.0
I have recently become a HUGE fan of this author. She writes everything from amazing historical fiction to contemporary fiction, to stories based on current, real-life events. I first became aware of her when her book ALL OF THE ABOVE showed up on the Maud Hart Lovelace Award Nominee list for 2010-11 in Division II (5th -7th grade).
Her first novel was TROUBLE DON’T LAST, which I just finished. It tells the story of Samuel, an 11yr old boy born into slavery in Kentucky. He never knew his mother, as she was sold before he could walk. One night Harrison, the old man who has taken care of him, wakes Samuel and takes him along as they run toward freedom in Canada. The viewpoint throughout the story is Samuel’s. I was drawn into the story by Samuel’s very clear, genuine voice. I could feel his fear, and his horror, his wonder and his sadness amidst deplorable circumstances. Shelley Pearsall says that she felt much had been written about the Underground Railroad, but there were few personal accounts and she tried to capture that in this story. In my opinion she succeeded.
Her first novel was TROUBLE DON’T LAST, which I just finished. It tells the story of Samuel, an 11yr old boy born into slavery in Kentucky. He never knew his mother, as she was sold before he could walk. One night Harrison, the old man who has taken care of him, wakes Samuel and takes him along as they run toward freedom in Canada. The viewpoint throughout the story is Samuel’s. I was drawn into the story by Samuel’s very clear, genuine voice. I could feel his fear, and his horror, his wonder and his sadness amidst deplorable circumstances. Shelley Pearsall says that she felt much had been written about the Underground Railroad, but there were few personal accounts and she tried to capture that in this story. In my opinion she succeeded.
readingwithelizabeth's review against another edition
5.0
I really enjoyed this book! Historical fiction is one of my favorite genres. I think this book offered a great insight into the lives of enslaved people- it definitely doesn’t sugarcoat the struggles of those working on a plantation, those trying to run away, and even those with their free papers. I like how the author pulled from true stories written in accounts from the Underground Railroad and meshed this together with her own fictional creation.
reviewsmayvary's review against another edition
4.0
Excerpt of review submitted to Sound Commentary.
Eleven-year-old Samuel was born a slave in Kentucky and lives under the strict rules of his household. He is often in trouble for making mistakes. When he is woken in the middle of the night by grumpy old Harrison he doesn’t know what to think but he knows he is going to be in trouble. When he realizes that Harrison is planning for them to run away (“Harrison is stealing me!”), it is too late.
Those with special interest adventurous escapes, in the American South during slavery, or in stories about the enslaved seeking freedom through journeys to the North will be especially pleased with this one. Because it’s middle grade, there are references to the hardships on plantations worked by enslaved folks without much gruesomeness. There’s some light adventure scariness (e.g., being chased, possible bad guys in dark spaces, etc.)
Eleven-year-old Samuel was born a slave in Kentucky and lives under the strict rules of his household. He is often in trouble for making mistakes. When he is woken in the middle of the night by grumpy old Harrison he doesn’t know what to think but he knows he is going to be in trouble. When he realizes that Harrison is planning for them to run away (“Harrison is stealing me!”), it is too late.
Those with special interest adventurous escapes, in the American South during slavery, or in stories about the enslaved seeking freedom through journeys to the North will be especially pleased with this one. Because it’s middle grade, there are references to the hardships on plantations worked by enslaved folks without much gruesomeness. There’s some light adventure scariness (e.g., being chased, possible bad guys in dark spaces, etc.)
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