Allen Jay And The Underground Railroad is a nonfiction story written by Marlene Targ Brill and illustrated by Janice Lee Porter. This true story focuses on an eleven-year boy named Allen Jay whose family's farm is a stop on the Underground Railroad. His parents are secret conductors o the Underground Railroad and they give food and shelter to slaves escaping from the south. One day, Allen's father asks him to help a runaway slave and this story tells about all the events that happened after.
This story was very interesting as it gave you a glimpse of a true event surrounding the Underground Railroad. This book was very educational for any young reader since the Underground Railroad was a important happening within history.
The illustrations consisted of many colors blended together to form the objects or individuals. They gave the story a kid-friendly visual to go with the text.
I would read this story out loud to my students to make sure they understood the broken English along the way. After, I would ask them questions like:
- What did Allen Jay's parents do for slaves?
- What are some reasons why Allen Jay was afraid?
- Why do you think the Jay's helped slaves escape?
A classroom activity I would have my students do is make a collage using words from magazines that they think relate to slavery and the Underground Railroad. Another activity I would have my students do is sit in a circle on the floor and each of us share a story about a time when we helped someone in need.
The author Marlene Targ Brill is an award winning author who has written many nonfiction and historical fiction books for all ages.
Brill, M. (1993). Allen jay and the underground railroad. Minneapolis, MN: First Avenue Editions
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