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UNDERGROUND

Underground
Author Information
Author's Last Name: 
Evans
Author's First Name: 
Shane W.
Publisher: 
Neal Porter
Publication Date: 
2011
2013 Nomination (not yet selected): 

"The fear./We run./We crawl." Spare text accompanies the richly pigmented and textured sketch-like illustrations depicting slaves running for their lives on the Underground Railroad. Careful use of color and lighting contrasts in each spread creates an emotional experience for the reader as he/she follows along through the dark night(s) spotted with white stars and yellow lantern light into the yellow, bright day of freedom. Ostensibly to use with new readers, this would work equally as well in upper elementary grades as a topical introduction. Up to Seven. Rhona Campbell

Drawings on textured surfaces change from dark night to dawn yellow as slaves move through the Underground Railroad to freedom. Emphasizing the silence of their journey, the simple text contains only the words necessary to map their way.

Comments

Meeting Notes for April 15

by ladamson - 04/21/2011 - 12:16pm
Meeting Notes for April 15
Positive Comments:
  • This approach dramatically renders the topic.
  • The striking illustrations require viewers to examine the pictures closely to see what is happening.
  • Even though the illustrations depict night, they show very clearly what is happening.
  • The whole sequence of “We’re almost there” coupled with the sun starting to rise and a baby born symbolize hope for a new future.
  • This presentation will be understandable to fairly young children and readable for a beginning reader.
  • Successful abstraction of the faces shows viewers the universality of those on the underground railway although the eyes jump out at readers as indivdual. If one follows the eyes through the book, one can find each character elsewhere in the book.
  • The book offers the feeling and drama of the underground railway rather than just the facts.
  • The comparison with today’s homeless is a positive connection.
 
Concerns:
  • The audience is unclear, but some think that the book would be something that adults would read to children.