Synopses & Reviews
Clyde Thomason is proud to have an older brother who guards the Freedom Train. It's 1947, and the train is traveling to all forty-eight states, carrying important documents such as the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights. Clyde is lucky that the train is stopping in Atlanta. In the segregated South the train will only stop at cities that agree to integrate the crowds lining up to glimpse its famous contents. andlt;BRandgt; andlt;BRandgt; Clyde has been chosen to recite the Freedom Pledge, but he's afraid that he'll chicken out. It doesn't help that he's the favorite target of the class bully. When the bully tries to beat him up, Clyde is shocked that an African-American boy, William, comes to his rescue. He's even more shocked that William's family lives in the rich -- and white -- part of town. But why is he so surprised? And why can't he be open about his friendship with William? When William's family is threatened, Clyde must make a choice: Will he have the courage to speak out to protect William's freedom? andlt;BRandgt; andlt;BRandgt; Evelyn Coleman paints a touching, often humorous picture of the 1940s South. Based on the real journey of the Freedom Train, this is the inspirational story of a young boy's awakening to the injustices around him -- and to the idea that things could change.
Synopsis
An enthralling account of a young boy's struggle to help freedom triumph over fear in the 1940s American South. It's 1947, and twelve-year-old Clyde Thomason is proud to have an older brother who guards the Freedom Train--a train that is traveling to all forty-eight states carrying the country's most important documents, including the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights.
Clyde hasn't told his parents he won't perform the Freedom Pledge because of stage fright, nor has he mentioned his confusing friendship with a boy of color. So when the townspeople threaten William's family, Clyde has a choice to make: Will he keep quiet, or stand up for real freedom?
Ideal for classrooms, Freedom Train contains historical photos of the Freedom Train and its guards, as well as an author's note that provides additional information about the history of the Freedom Train.
About the Author
andlt;Bandgt;Evelyn Colemanandlt;/Bandgt;'s books include andlt;iandgt;To Be a Drumandlt;/iandgt;, andlt;iandgt;White Socks Onlyandlt;/iandgt;, andlt;iandgt;The Riches of Oseola McCartyandlt;/iandgt;, a Smithsonian Notable Book and a Carter G. Woodson Honor Book, and andlt;iandgt;Born in Sinandlt;/iandgt;. Ms. Coleman lives in Atlanta, Georgia, where she received the Atlanta Mayor's fellowship for achievement in children's literature. Visit Evelyn online at evelyncoleman.com.