Freedom Crossing by Margaret Goff Clark

A book that I have recently finished is Freedom Crossing by Margaret Goff Clark. This book is set during the time of slavery in the United States. It starts out with Laura (protagonist) coming home from the South where she has been living for the past few years. Her brother and father have turned their house into a stop for the Underground Railroad a secret organization that helps slaves escape from down south. Over the course of the book Laura decides to help Martin, the escaped slave, even though it wasn’t her first thought.

When Martin first comes to stay Laura thinks about turning him in but doesn’t. Later in they story she starts to believe owning some one is wrong. Finally in the end of the story she will risk everything to get Martin to Canada. ‘“You’re right, Martin,’ she said slowly. ‘You’ll have to leave tonight, but you can’t go alone. You’d get lost and you’d never get to the house on the river in time. I’m going with you.’”(p.127) This quote shows that Laura will bring Martin to the boat even though she could get caught and arrested. She has changed a lot over the course of the book.

Even though we aren’t helping slaves escape to freedom we can all learn from Laura about keeping are minds open for change of opinion.   I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in The Underground Railroad and slavery.