“We run. We crawl. We rest.” Spare text and stirring images document the escape of a group of African Americans from slavery. Only a handful of words on each page accompany illustrations that show faces of people moving forward through dark nights in spite of their fear. At times their figures are huddled and hiding from slave hunters; in the end, not everyone makes it. But some do, and author/illustrator Shane W. Evans shows the night sky beginning to brighten, and then faces full of relief emerging into the light of the sun—and of freedom. Literal and symbolic merge in this picture book that evokes powerful feelings. A terrific volume for use with older children, it invites response to the simple statements and powerful illustrations through discussion, writing, or drawing. (Ages 8–12)

One of School Library Journal's Best Nonfiction Books of the Year.

A few well chosen words and spellbinding images pack an emotion wallop not soon forgotten in this picture book for young readers about the Underground Railroad.

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.