Barbara Olenyik Morrow

With slavery being so present in the books' time period, there undoubtdoulty adults teaching their kids that slavery was good and that African-americans were no more than property. Clearly there were a huge amount of people that felt this way, but it wasn't everyone. We the reader see the perspective of a little girl who meets up with runaway slaves and doesn't know what to do. Considering the fact that it took her a while to tell anyone she didn't completely agree with slavery. I think this story is important to tell to show how there were people who were trying their best to fight against slavery. Children should all know that slavery was horrible, but I think they deserve to know little things like this as well.… (mer)

This story takes place in 1839 when a young girl Hallie discovers two runaway slaves while delivering butter to her neighbors, Katy and Levi Coffin. In real life Levi Coffin was known as the “President of the Underground Railroad.” When Hallie discovers the slaves she runs home to talk to her father. On her way home she comes across 4 men on horses who hands her a paper to give to her father. The paper states a reward for $600 for information on two runaway slaves. Hallie hypothetically asks her father what he would do if he knew where the slaves were. He tells her that if the slave catchers found out he was hiding slaves they would burn down their house or be fined.

Hallie decides to go back to the Coffin’s to talk to Aunt Katy. She tells her what she saw in their basement so Aunt Katy takes her to the basement to meet the runaways, Susan and Margaret. She talks to the girl and they tell her about how they want to go North to get their freedom and hopefully earn money to buy their mother back. As they are talking they hear a commotion outside. The 4 men are back and they are throwing rocks into the Coffin’s windows asking them where they are hiding the slaves. Hallie speaks up and says she saw them running across a pasture into the woods earlier that morning. The men believe her and they leave to chase the runaways.… (mer)

The main idea of this story is being brave and doing the right thing, even if told otherwise. This story was about a young girl who had to make a choice to follow what her father’s rules were and the law, or to do the right thing. I loved this book for multiple reasons. First, I loved how intriguing this book was. I was so curious to see what was going to happen next. It made me want to keep reading and really caught my interest. The illustrations were vivid and realistic, the characters were strong minded, and the plot line was captivating. It made me want to jump into the story. Next, I liked how this story is told from a free persons point of view. When we read books about slavery, it is usually from the slave’s point of view. This book turns it around, so the reader can see into the minds of the free people. Lastly, I really enjoyed how the author made the plot so simple yet so difficult. It shows readers that sometimes a parent isn’t always right. The reader learns that it is important when making a decision to remove other people’s opinions and make their own decisions. Overall, this book was packed with strong characters, vivid art, and an important moral lesson.… (mer)

One of the things I liked about “A Good Night for Freedom” was the development of the main character Hallie. She must make the tough decision of protecting herself and her family or protecting the runaway slaves she just met. For example you see her struggling with the decision when she asks her father for advice on what to do if he saw slaves. Then she makes the ultimate decision all her own. I liked the plot of the story as well. Throughout the story readers are trying to guess what Hallie will do. Will she tell or will she not? I also liked how the point of view was not in the perspective of the run away slaves but a young white girl because readers are able to see a different point of view. The big message of the story was that it is okay to lie in cases of protecting the innocent lives of others.… (mer)