Module 6: Barefoot-Escape the Underground Railroad

Book Cover Image

Book Summary

In this historical fiction tale, Barefoot has escaped his sentence of slavery on a plantation and is fleeing into the night. Along his journey, he is guided by the noise of the animals. The frog's ribbitt tells him there is water near. The heron's cry alerted him that the Heavy Boots were approaching him. The mosquitos played the largest role of all in allowing him to find the cabin with the quilt hanging out.

Written by Pamela Duncan Edwards
Illustrated by Henry Cole

APA Reference of Book

Edwards, P. D. (1997). Barefoot: Escape on the Underground Railroad. New York, NY: Harper Collins.

Impressions

This is a moving book about a man only named Barefoot. Edwards tells the story so well that readers feel like they are in the grass with Barefoot. I was surprised that the book talked about such a short portion of the Underground Railroad. In sticking to such a short portion, Edwards was able to show readers that there were dangers every step of the way. The word choice activates the readers sense of hearing: Barefoot, Heavy Boots. All the dark colors immerse the readers into the darkness that Barefoot experienced. Even with the dark colors, every detail is clear. This builds on the word choice to further immerse the reader into Barefoot's journey. 

Professional Review

K-Gr 3 Another outstanding collaboration by the duo responsible for Some Smug Slug (Harper, 1996). Here the tone is serious. The Barefoot is an escaping slave whose flight is aided by the wild animals of forest and swamp. The frog's croak guides him to water, while a nesting squirrel leads him to cover himself with leaves. When the Heavy Boots slave catchers draw near, mosquitoes swarm heavily around them and a deer leads them away into the forest. Fireflies light the Barefoot's way to a house on the Underground Railroad and safety while the animals are still alert for another Barefoot. Edwards's spare text builds suspense while Cole's paintings gradually reveal more of the slave and his pursuers. At first, only feet are seen. Though more and more of his body is depicted, it is only in the penultimate double-page spread that readers see the young man's face. Cole's nocturnal illustrations are suitably dark yet they are not difficult to see, and they use light effectively to focus viewers' eyes on specific parts of the picture. Readers will feel as if they are in the swamp with the runaway, their eyes gradually becoming aware of nuances of the scene as they adjust to the darkness. The generous-sized, handsome white typeface is easy to read against the dark background. Teachers will want to use this title with such books as F. N. Monjo's The Drinking Gourd (Harper, 1970) when teaching about slavery and the Underground Railroad, while in public libraries Barefoot will be perfect for programs on African-American history.

Sherman, L. L., & Scott, A. C. (1997). Barefoot: Escape on the Underground Railroad. School Library Journal, 43(2), 75.

Library Uses

This book could be used as part of African American History Month. The Underground Railroad is not always covered in the classroom, so this would be a great addition in the library. This book would pair well with a biography on Harriet Tubman.