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• Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Award Winner
• Gustavus Myers Center for the Study of Bigotry and Human Rights
Outstanding Book Awards, Honorable Mention
• Comstock Book Award Honor Book 2006
• New York Times Best Children's Books 2005
• School Library Journal "Hot Reads 2006"
• Scholastic Book Clubs and Book Fairs
• Show Me Award Nominee, Missouri Association of School Librarians,
2007-2008
• Washington Library Media Association Award Nominee
• Jane Adams Book Award Nominee
• A Selection of the Yale – New Haven Teachers Institute
• A Selection of the Alabama's Emphasis on Reading Program
• A Selection of Harcourt Books Beginning Reading Series
• Author of the Month, Embracing the Child
• A Bulletin Dozen, Center for Children's Books, 2006, 2007
• Book PALS, Book of the Month, 2006
Kirkus Reviews
12/15/2004
"Each [quilt] pattern has its own shape and meaning . . . and each
shape points the way and gives inspiration to Hannah and her father
when the time comes for them to flee."
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Multicultural Review
10/01/2005
"Moving and inspirational."
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Book Page
02/01/2005
circ=800,000
"The story follows a young slave girl named Hannah, who recalls
the special quilt her mama once made for her, which includes secret
meanings imbedded in the quilt patterns."
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Booklist
02/01/2005
"A child tells of escaping to Canada on the Underground Railroad,
accompanied by her father, and of following secret signs sewn into quilt
patterns. The exciting escape story makes the history immediate, and
the fascinating quilt-code messages will have children revisiting the
page that shows each symbol and its secret directions. Bennett's
bright oil paintings make dramatic use of collage to show the quilt
code and the brave fugitives. Helped by Quakers
and other rescuers, Hannah and Papa make it to the border, but the sadness
of her sister still in slavery and her Mama's death is with them as
they cross. A fascinating afterword reveals how much of the story was
based on history."
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Parents Magazine
02/01/2005
"Bettye Stroud's poignant book teaches kids about the importance
of the Underground Railroad."
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Washington Post Book World
02/06/2005
"Bennett's strong, beautiful illustrations
bring out the tedium and suspense of the long journey north from Georgia,
following wagon wheel, flying geese, drunkard's path, and stars to freedom."
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Publishers Weekly
01/03/2005
"The child's candid first-person narrative captures her apprehension
as well as her hope and determination. Newcomer Bennett contributes
dramatic oil paintings in an earth-toned palette."
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School Library Journal
01/01/2005
"An exciting story about a girl and her father who escape slavery
with help from the coded symbols on a quilt. Shortly after Hannah's
sister is sold to another plantation, Mama dies, but not before teaching
Hannah how to sew, whispering, "…this quilt will show you
everything you need to know to run to freedom." Their journey leads
them along the Underground Railroad, from their Georgia plantation to
a hiding place beneath a church, through pirate tunnels, and eventually
to the home of a Quaker family. Finally, they cross Lake Erie into Canada,
and the narrative ends on a hopeful note as Hannah makes a new quilt
with an empty square for her sister, praying that someday they'll be
together again, and free. The first-person narrative flows smoothly
and lends immediacy to the dramatic events.
The vivid oil paintings are skillfully done, with the characters' expressive
faces reflecting their fear and courage, and angular lines echoing the
quilt squares. An afterword gives some historical
background. Overall, this works well as a story and also as a lesson
in African-American history."
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Book Links
04/24/2008
Included in "Celebrating Freedom!" Book Links, 1/1/07
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Newton's Book News
05/19/2008
"[A] great story of courage and hope." 2/21/08
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