Dear Austin: Letters from the Underground Railroad: Amazon.ca: Elvira Woodruff, Nancy Carpenter: Books

Product Description

From School Library Journal

Grade 3-6-Set in 1853, this sequel to Dear Levi (Knopf, 1994) consists of letters written by 11-year-old Levi Ives to his older brother Austin. Remaining with his guardian, Miss Amelia, until he is able to join Austin on the family claim in Oregon, Levi 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 Miss Amelia and 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. The boy's life of freedom is beautifully juxtaposed against Jupiter's life and his constant fear of capture. The plot advances through Levi's letters, which also speak about his feelings for his guardian, his friends, and his brother. Each character is an individual whose actions are believable in the context of the story. 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.
Janet Gillen, Great Neck Public Library, NY
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Kirkus Reviews

Readers don't have to have read Dear Levi (not reviewed) to enjoy this sequel, a gripping historical novel that covers two boys' journeys from innocence to manhood. In 1853, young Levi and his buddies, Possum and Jupiter, create a daredevil's club, through which they attempt to outrun bulls, jump off cliffs, and investigate strange occurrences in their small Pennsylvania town. The tone shifts from the humor of boyhood scrapes to tragedy when Jupiter's little sister, Darcy, is captured by slave traders. Jupiter and Levi head south to find her, a journey that is particularly eye-opening for naive Levi. The action unfolds through his letters to his brother Austin; these range from laugh-out-loud funny to poignant. Powerful emotions are subtly and expertly conveyed, from Levi's amusing embarrassment in dancing class, to his guilt for Darcy's kidnapping, to his horror at the slave auction. Woodruff combines swift pacing, historical detail (Harriet Tubman makes an appearance), humor, suffering, depth, and precise characterizations, for wholly satisfying page turner. (Fiction. 8-12) -- Copyright ©1998, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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5 Reviews

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4.2 out of 5 stars (5 customer reviews)

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1.0 out of 5 stars Very Slow Paced, Mar 2 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Dear Austin: Letters from the Underground Railroad (Paperback)

A review by Lacy

This book was about a group of boys named Levi, Jupiter and Possum. This story takes place back when slavery was a big issue, when the North and South were battling against one another. They were living in the north with Miss Amelia because they didn't want to have any part of the slavery. Levi always writes to his brother Austin who he doesn't see that often.

In this book there isn't just one plot there is a series of things going on in a lot of the letter there is a different topic and new things going on. Like when they were scared the bully was going to throw his dog into the river from the cliff and then the author starting talking about Levi having to take dance classes. I think that the author could have explained some areas better and put more detail in to what he was explaining. Some of the conflicts are expressed pretty well but some others really need some work on. I couldn't really follow a lot of the book because it was a hard book to get into. The length of this book was pretty fair. It probably should have been longer and add some more detail in it. I was happy when I finished the book; I thought it would never end. It was just so boring. The vocabulary of this book was easy to understand. I didn't have any trouble reading words but some of the sentence was confusing.

I would highly recommend you not to read this book. It is really hard to get into. This book was a very slow pace book. If you like being confused then I recommend this book to you but for the people like me who don't like being confused don't read the book.

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5.0 out of 5 stars Dear Austin......,, Oct 17 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Dear Austin: Letters from the Underground Railroad (Paperback)

Dear Austin, Right now Im out looking for Darcy, Juipters sister,Yesterday Black Rustlers stole her! Me and Jup have set out to find Darcy. Please don't worry while im out there. A body couldn't get nothin much don to him the wild. Don't worry Austin. I'll be saving y'all some letters as im out. Don't when i'll be sendin' 'em to ya'. Till then just stay come. Is how Levi talks to Austin thorough out the whole thing, in letters. AS they set out they meet the famous "Moses," a.k.a Hariet Truman. A black slave leader, the slave train, and suspence, history, and all around tightnes! I HIGHLY SUGGEST THIS TO READERS HOW LOVE TO READ! (of course.) And people how love to read about the stuf I like to read about, like this story. So go out and buy it!

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5.0 out of 5 stars Dear Austin......,, Oct 17 2000

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KoRn KiD (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dear Austin: Letters from the Underground Railroad (Paperback)

Dear Austin, Right now Im out looking for Darcy, Juipters sister,Yesterday Black Rustlers stole her! Me and Jup have set out to find Darcy. Please don't worry while im out there. A body couldn't get nothin much don to him the wild. Don't worry Austin. I'll be saving y'all some letters as im out. Don't when i'll be sendin' 'em to ya'. Till then just stay come. Is how Levi talks to Austin thorough out the whole thing, in letters. AS they set out they meet the famous "Moses," a.k.a Hariet Truman. A black slave leader, the slave train, and suspence, history, and all around tightnes! I HIGHLY SUGGEST THIS TO READERS HOW LOVE TO READ! (of course.) And people how love to read about the stuf I like to read about, like this story. So go out and buy it!

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Most recent customer reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars A tough story full of heart
I used this book with my fifth grade class. The author's ability to blend history, humor, and heart gave me just the story I was looking for to use on my unit about slavery. Read more

Published on Jun 16 2000

5.0 out of 5 stars Levi writes to his brother about the Underground Railroad.
This sequal to Dear Levi: Letters from the Overland Trail features letters from Levi to his older brother, Austin, who has now been on the family homestead in Oregon for several... Read more

Published on Aug 23 1998