Almost to Freedom

• Almost To Freedom
• author: Vaunda Micheaux Nelson  "no author website"
• illustrator: Colin Bootman  http://www.colinbootman.net/
• medium:  oil paint on board
• year of publication: 2003
• publisher city: Minneapolis, Minnesota
• publisher: Carolrhoda Books, Inc.
• ISBN: 1-57505-342-X

Annotation:  Told from the perspective of a child's doll, Almost to Freedom chronicles the journey of one little girl's life on a Southern plantation as a slave to her travels within the Underground Railroad on her family's path to freedom.


Personal thoughts:  Almost to Freedom paints a realistic picture of a slave's life during a time in history when African Americans were seen as property more so than human.  There's instances of cruelty from the slave owner that older readers will definitely garner sympathy for the plight of the slave girl Lindy.  The narrative choice of Sally the doll's perspective make the story very touching and the book doesn't give a predictable ending, but only hints at a potential for better things to come.  
*** Use of symbol is prevalent in the story as Sally the doll changes hands from one child to another, each on the run from slavery.  Sally symbolizes the continuous journey of slaves on the Underground Railroad, making their way north to freedom. 
***curricular connection: 5th grade US History (2)