Gr 5-9-In 1848, light-skinned Ellen Craft, dressed in the clothing of a rich, white man, assumed the identity of "Mr. William Johnson" and, escorted by his black slave, William, traveled by railroad and boat to reach the North. With the passage of a more stringent Fugitive Slave Law in 1850, the couple, whose story was well known as a result of public speeches and accounts in the abolitionist press, decided to travel to England. Here they improved their education, perfected their occupational skills, and continued to cultivate influential friends. In 1869, they returned to the United States, opening a school and operating a farm in Georgia. Their lives were a continuing source of adventure and inspiration. This lively, well-written volume presents the events in their lives in an exciting, page-turner style that's sure to hold readers' attention. Black-and-white photographs, illustrations, and reproductions enhance the text. Relying heavily upon primary sources, including letters, diaries, and newspapers, the story unfolds in a smooth narrative with dialogue based upon the Crafts' own book, Running a Thousand Miles for Freedom. This is an important and well-organized addition to any collection.-Patricia Ann Owens, Wabash Valley College, Mt. Carmel, IL (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Gr. 6-9. Both exciting escape adventure and gripping history, this account of a husband and wife on the run from slavery traces their journey to freedom in the U.S and across the world. Ellen is a light-skinned African American, daughter of the master who raped her mother. Disguised as a wealthy Southern gentleman, she escapes with her husband, William, disguised as her slave, and they travel by train and steamboat to freedom in Boston. When their astonishing story makes the fugitive couple famous, slave catchers come after them, so the Crafts leave for England, where they continue their abolitionist work, until their return home after the Civil War. The Fradins, whose many fine histories include Ida B. Wells (2000), draw heavily on the Crafts' personal accounts to add depth and drama to the carefully documented narrative. The handsome design includes lots of photos, archival artwork, letters, and newspaper accounts. --Hazel Rochman Copyright 2006 Booklist

This fascinating account of a slave couple's daring 1848 escape to freedom features authenticated dialogue, archival photographs, and reproductions of newspaper articles. The book is both scholarly (documented information on slavery and the abolitionist movement) and accessible (through the Crafts' own words and those of their descendants). Author's note, chapter notes, maps, and timeline accompany the well-written text. Bib., ind. (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. All rights reserved.