Underground Finding the Light to Freedom [Paperback]

One ofSchool Library Journal's Best Nonfiction Books of 2011
A family silently crawls along the ground. They run barefoot through unlit woods, sleep beneath bushes, take shelter in a kind stranger's home. Where are they heading? They are heading for freedom by way of the Underground Railroad.

Shane W. Evanshas illustrated numerous books for children, including theBoston GlobeHorn Bookaward winnerShanna's Ballerina Show.He attributes much of his influence to his travels to Africa, South America, Asia, Europe, the Caribbean, and much of the United States. He is a firm believer in education and creative development for all people.Undergroundis the recipient of the Coretta Scott King Medal for illustrations.

* A stellar introduction to the Underground Railroad . . . Though subdued in palette until the eruption of color as the figures reach the threshold of freedom, the author's collaged nocturnal paintings shimmer with an arresting luminescence. School Library Journal, starred review

* Powerfully expressive imagery will sweep young viewers into this suspenseful journey along the Underground Railroad. . . . Lengthier accounts of travel on the Underground Railroad abound, but few if any portray the experience with such compelling immediacy. Kirkus Reviews, starred review

* With haunting pictures and a few simple sentences, Evans introduces beginning readers to a crucial piece of American history. . . . Telling the story without overwhelming readers is a delicate task, but Evans walks the line perfectly. Publishers Weekly, starred review

* The mixed-media illustrations are the main focus here, and they're luminous and haunting. The tension between dark and light visually pulses through the spreads: the whites of the escaping family's eyes gleam in cut-paper collage, the slender crescent of a moon shines overhead, and the amber glow from a window or a searcher's torch stands out lã*