Caffeine & Romance: The light Across the River

G.R.I.T.S.

The Light Across the River by Stephanie Reed

The Sequel to Across the Wide River...

Back Cover:

Why couldn't Father see how wrong it was to keep quiet? It seemed so simple to Johnny. If only people could know how horrible slavery was! If only they knew the great risks men took to be free!

It's 1837 and the Rankin home continues to be a beacon of freedom along the Underground Railroad. Johnny, the seventh of the thirteen of the Rankin Children, is eager to help his family in the fight for freedom, but his father and older brother, Lowry, tell him he's to young to keep a secret as important as the Underground Railroad. Johnny knows he should keep his mouth shut, but he cares so much about what his family does that he can't keep quiet.

Finally, Johnny is called upon to help a woman escape to Freedom. Will Eliza reach the North, Or has Johnny let the wrong secret out at the wrong time? This Intense and intriguing sequel to Across the Wide River offers another glimpse into a dark period in America's past, and profiles the courageous and godly people who helped bring slavery to an end.

A PENNY FOR MY THOUGHTS?

This was a great sequel to Ms.Reed's Across the wide River!! You get to revisit the Rankin Family and home. And have another adventure cross the river. Instead of focusing on Lowry, this one focusing on his younger brother Johnny, who at the beginning of the story is about 12 years old. And he is quite big for his breeches! Not only does he want to help with the U.R. he is also in love with his brother's girl...So all around this was not a good time for Johnny....but of the course of the 3 years, that the book covers, Johnny does some growing!!!!

One night, a Lady cross' the river, with her Baby boy wrapped up in her Petticoat. And that's when Eliza's 'adventure' begins...she's whisked up north, and for 3 years she saves her money to go back and get the rest of her family, and usher them to the same freedom that she and her husband enjoy. And that's when Johnny's U.R. experience begins!!!

It was a great book, and I loved learning about this part of the American History...Personally my favorite part of History is the War between the States...so I'm into anything that happens around that time period!!!!