Synopsis
Describes an incident in the life of John Parker, an ex-slave who became a successful businessman in Ripley, Ohio, and who repeatedly risked his life to help other slaves escape to freedom.
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About the Author
Doreen Rappaport has written several award-winning books for children, including The School Is Not White!, illustrated by Curtis James; Martin’s Big Words, a Caldecott Honor Book, a Coretta Scott King Honor for Illustration, and a Jane Addams Children’s Book Award winner; Freedom River, an ALA Notable Book and winner of a Coretta Scott King Honor for Illustration; and John’s Secret Dreams: The Life of John Lennon, all illustrated by Bryan Collier. Rappaport lives and writes in upstate New York.
Bryan Collier received a Caldecott Honor and a Coretta Scott King Honor for Martin’s Big Words, by Doreen Rappaport. He was also awarded a Coretta Scott King Honor for their first collaboration, Freedom River, as well as the Coretta Scott King Medal for his own work, Uptown.
From Booklist
Gr. 3-5. Based on a true slave escape story, this picture book for older children combines an exciting, heartrending narrative with dramatic collage and watercolor pictures. John Parker was an ex-slave who became a successful businessman and an active conductor on the Underground Railroad. On one of his journeys, he helped an African American couple escape with their baby from the slave state of Kentucky to the free state of Ohio. The white owner knew the slave parents would never leave their child behind, so he had the baby sleep at the foot of his bed; but Parker stole the baby, tricked the master, and led the family across the river to freedom. Rappaport frames the incident with a biography of Parker, who may have helped as many as 900 African Americans. In a note, illustrator Bryan Collier speaks about his pictures, but his main commentary is about his own religion: he believes that Parker's story is about the power of prayer. His spiritual message will appeal to some readers; others will find it intrusive and simply focus on the inspiring story and stirring narrative pictures. Hazel Rochman
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