Synopses & Reviews
It's 1851 and Lucy Spencer's family is keeping a secret. Their Ohio home is a station on the Underground Railroad, the network of people and places that helps fugitive slaves escape to freedom in Canada. Lucy believes in what she and her family do to help the fugitives, even if it means putting herself in danger.
So Lucy doesn't hesitate when she is asked to stay with the Widow Aurelia Mercer and help her with a family of runaway slaves hiding in her attic. And she learns so much from her experience--about growing up, love, and standing on her own. But what will Lucy do when she is asked to make the ultimate sacrifice and leave all she loves behind?
Synopsis
Lucy Spencer has been helping fugitive slaves flee to Canada since she was twelve years old. Her family's Ohio home is a station on the Underground Railroad, the secret network of people that helps runaways escape to freedom. Now that she's sixteen, Lucy is thirsty for adventure. When she is asked to stay with the widow Aurelia Mercer and help a family of runaway slaves hiding in the attic, she doesn't hesitate. From one of the fugitives who is pregnant, and from the surprisingly unconventional Miss Aurelia, Lucy learns much about growing up, loving, and standing on her own. But what will Lucy do when she is asked to make the ultimate sacrifice?
About the Author
Katherine Ayres is the author of
Family Tree, which has been named to several state award lists, and
North by Night: A Story of the Underground Railroad. She is a founding member of the Playwrights Lab at the Pittsburgh Public Theater. She teaches writing at Chatham College, where she also coordinates the Master of Arts program in childrens and adolescent writing.
From the Hardcover edition.