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"Underground" by Jean Ferris

Author:

Jean Ferris

Publisher:

Farrar, Straus and Giroux, New York, 2007

Reviewed by:

Kristine Wildner, Holy Apostles School, New Berlin, Wis.

Ferris, Jean. Underground. Farrar, Straus and Giroux, New York, 2007.

Embodying the best elements of historical fiction and solid writing for children, Underground affords the reader a glimpse into the fascinating lives of slaves working in and near Mammoth Cave, Kentucky in 1839. Jean Ferris has taken skeletal knowledge of real slaves, Stephen Bishop, Charlotte Brown, and others, to create a wonderful story of budding love, the Underground Railroad, and the enthralling world of cave exploration. Charlotte, a 16 year old slave, befriends fellow slave and cave tour guide, Stephen Bishop. Together they explore not only the cave, but also the many facets of the meaning of "freedom" when Charlotte and Stephen become involved in helping slaves escape to freedom. As they fall in love, their work in the cave and with runaway slaves takes them into a world of difficult decisions, painful goodbyes, and hope for the future.

Narrated by Charlotte, the dialog and short chapters sustain a relatively fast reading pace. Details surrounding the early 19 th century tourism, the exploration of Mammoth Cave and the dire circumstances of escaping slaves are vivid, keeping the reader's attention with an aura of suspense concerning the future. The cover artwork, although dark, is remarkably detailed and captures the time and place of not only the cave, but also the allusions to freedom. The author's note about the real lives of Charlotte and, especially Stephen, leave the reader yearning to know more about early cave exploration and the important role slaves played in our national history. Highly recommended for children in grades 5-8.

Kristine Wildner,
Holy Apostles School,
New Berlin, WI