(3) 4-6 Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.'s American Heroes series. Illustrated by Patrick Faricy. Robert Smalls, a slave and skilled sailor, maneuvers a ship manned by other slaves past guards in South Carolina to freedom. He later becomes a congressman. The text's wordiness is counterbalanced by the fast pace and heroism of this Civil War tale. Occasional illustrations, both full-page and double-page spread paintings and black-and-white spot art, ably display the story's drama. Bib.

Reviewer: Henrietta M. Smith

(3) 1-3 Ready-for-Chapters: Prairie Skies series. Illustrated by Patrick Faricy. Nine-year-old Charlie's decision to help a runaway slave increases the danger that his pioneer family, first introduced in Pioneer Summer and Cabin in the Snow, faces in the Kansas Territory, where abolitionists and proslavery factions are wrangling for control. Well paced, the story contains just enough factual information to establish the historical background without overwhelming the narrative.

Reviewer: Anne St. John

(3) 1-3 Ready-for-Chapters: Prairie Skies series. Illustrated by Patrick Faricy. When Charlie's family moves from Massachusetts to the territory of Kansas in 1855, not only does he have to adjust to the transition, but he also comes face to face with issues related to slavery. His family's abolitionist views are a primary reason for the move. This short chapter book explores intense topics in an accessible manner, and readers will empathize with the eight-year-old's reactions to the changes in his life.

Reviewer: Anne St. John

(4) 1-3 Ready-for-Chapters: Prairie Skies series. Illustrated by Patrick Faricy. When his father stays behind to help defend the town from pro-slavery rabble-rousers, nine-year-old Charlie gets the supplies home safely, fetches help when his mother goes into labor, and prepares the homestead for a coming blizzard. The easy-to-read chapter book contains likable characters and plenty of excitement, but the emphasis on the clashes between the free-soilers and their pro-slavery neighbors bogs the story down.

Reviewer: Anne St. John