Brief vignettes titled “Running,” Waiting,” “Watching,” “Hiding,” “Traveling,” and “Singing” chronicle the flight of a young slave girl to freedom on the Underground railroad. The spare, riveting, first-person narrative embodies all of the girl’s fear, tension, uncertainty and anxiety as they make their way north, pursued by her master and his men, aided by sympathizers to their plight. The book ends before her journey is complete, but she is well on her way to freedom: “I take a deep breath / and when I let go / my voice flies up in a song…I’ll jump every fence my way.” James Ransome’s rich oil paintings dramatically convey each and event and emotion on their journey. (Ages 6-9)

From the award-winning duo behind the bestselling Sweet Clara and the Freedom Quilt comes the stunning, richly illustrated sequel about a young enslaved girl who follows a quilt’s message to freedom.

When night falls, and all is quiet, a slave girl starts to run. She follows the moon into the woods, leading her loved ones away from their master under the quilt of night. Guided by the stars, they head north in the direction of freedom. At last, the girl sees a quilt with a center square made from deep blue fabric and knows it's a signal from friends on the Underground Railroad, welcoming her into their home. Can she bravely step forward and lead her family to freedom?