In this thoughtful work of historical fiction, a child must decide whether to abide by the law and turn in two runaway slaves or go against it and aid them in their pursuit of freedom. Morrow’s story introduces the Coffins, real-life abolitionists living in Indiana in the early 1800s. The runaways are real, too; Morrow learned their names researching 19th-century court records. What’s imagined is the encounter between the child, Hallie, and the runaways whom the Coffin’s harbor in their basement. In this moment, she presents young readers with a powerful dilemma. Jenkins’s stirring illustrations—created with spray paint, acrylic, pastel, and colored pencil—heighten the drama. Dark blues and fiery reds reflect the violence of the slave catchers, while bright golds and yellows represent the hopefulness of the runaways and Hallie’s enlightened sense of justice. An excellent choice for children studying the Underground Railroad. (Picture book. 5-9)
