This Month's CFRB Tour is...

Across the Wide River by: Stephanie Reed

Back Cover:

Lowry Rankin knows all to well the cost of freedom;after all, his family's red brick home is the first stop on the Underground Railroad north of the Ohio River.

He's seen friends beaten for the color of their skin. He's watched simple farmers make a difference. He's even risked his own life transporting escaped slaves to the next "station". But will Lowry be able to conquer his greatest fear when he's called to speak out?

A PENNY FOR MY THOUGHTS?

As you can tell from the back, Across the Wide River, is about a boy who grows up around slavery, and wants to take a stand like his father has. But does he have what it takes to take the desire to the next level? And will he be able to support the woman he loves while doing it?

At the beginning of this story, Lowry is only 10 years old...but as the years go by, and he starts to 'find' himself...Lowry realizes that he has a call to be a preacher, but when he gets gravely ill one night at school, he starts to second guess himself, and his call.

Across the Wide River, shows you a different side to slavery...and 'inside' look from a child so to speak. Seeing how Lowry was friends with a slave boy, and saw him beat up just because of the color of his skin, and not being able to do anything about...Being moved from his home of Kentucky to Ohio, and learning that just because you switch states, you don't necessarily leave behind you problems. Stephanie Reed did a fantastic job in telling this story! And I can't wait to read the next book!!!