A Good Night for Freedom
One chilly winter morning, Hallie makes a startling discovery.
Runaways! Two runaway slaves, Susan and Margaret, are taking refuge at Levi and Catharine Coffin’s home, a stop on the Underground Railroad. Slave catchers ask Hallie if she knows anything. Now she must choose between protecting her family or helping the two strangers she’s only just met.
Based on historical events, this powerful story reveals the courage it took for people to run for freedom, and for one young girl to help them.
Illustrated by Leonard Jenkins
Holiday House (New York) 2004
Ages 4-11
* Notable Social Studies Trade Book for Young People, 2004
* One of three children’s books honored by the Indiana Center for the Book/Indiana State Library, “Best Books of Indiana,” April 2005
* Nominee for “Young Hoosier Book Award,” 2006-2007
* Referenced in Reading Aloud Across the Curriculum: How to Build Bridges in Language Arts, Math, Science, and Social Studies by Reba M. Wadsworth and Lester L. Laminack (Heinemann, 2006)
A “thoughtful work of historical fiction…An excellent choice for children studying the Underground Railroad.” - Kirkus Reviews
“Thrilling…The well-written text smoothly blends fact and fiction….For social-studies units, Indiana history, and stories about strong female characters, this title is a worthy addition.” - School Library Journal
A “dramatic picture book….Inspired by the true account of two runaway slave sisters who were hidden by Underground Railroad leader Levi Coffin in his home in Indiana in the 1830s.” - Booklist
A “gripping tale….Morrow creates an insightful narrative with many trenchant moments.” - Publishers Weekly
“…an excellent introduction to the attitudes of the era and the brave people who provided refuge to fleeing slaves.” - The Indianapolis Star
Levi Coffin (1798-1877) was considered by many to be president of the Underground Railroad. His home in Fountain City (formerly Newport), Indiana was a safe haven for about 2,000 slaves escaping to freedom in Canada before the Civil War. Levi and his wife Catharine often hid the runaways in a secret upstairs room. (Wikimedia Commons)
After the Civil War, Coffin wrote his memoir about helping runaway slaves, and he described one story Barbara was especially drawn to - that of two slave girls who arrived at his house late one night. Through research, Barbara learned the names of the girls, whose Tennessee “master” filed a lawsuit in an Indiana court in 1839, hoping to get them back. Drawing upon that history, Barbara crafted her story.
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