The remarkable, little-known story of William Still, known as the Father of the Underground Railroad from award-winning author-illustrator Don Tate.
William Still's parents escaped slavery but had to leave two of their children behind, a tragedy that haunted the family. As a young man, William went to work for the Pennsylvania Anti-Slavery Society, where he raised money, planned rescues, and helped freedom seekers who had traveled north. And then one day, a strangely familiar man came into William's office, searching for information about his long-lost family. Could it be?
Motivated by his own family’s experience, William began collecting the stories of thousands of other freedom seekers. As a result, he was able to reunite other families and build a remarkable source of information, including encounters with Harriet Tubman, Henry "Box" Brown, and William and Ellen Craft.
Don Tate brings to life the incredible true story of William Still’s life and work as a record keeper of enslaved people who had fled to freedom. Tate’s powerful words and artwork are sure to inspire readers in this first-ever picture book biography of the Father of the Underground Railroad.
Time line. Author’s note. Bibliography. Full-color illustrations rendered digitally.Â
Title alpha William Still and His Freedom Stories: The Father of the Underground Railroad
Category Biography Elementary Plus
Pages Count 40
Genre Nonfiction
Topics William Still (1821–1902). Slavery. Biography. Nineteenth-century US history. Enslaved people. The Underground Railroad. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. African American abolitionists. Education. Reading and writing. Abolitionists. Harriet Tubman (1822–1913). Slave records.Â
Lexile 610L
Trim Size 11" x 10"
JLG Span Winter
Language English
Rights type Print
Publication date 2020-11-02
JLG Release Date Jan 2021
Minimum grade 1
Maximum grade 4
Reading level Elementary
Format Print
Biography Elementary Plus (Grades 1-4)
Biography Elementary Plus
Biography Elementary Plus (Grades 1-4)
For Grades 1-4
This 14 book collections offers beginning readers fascinating biographies and compelling personal stories that provide a view into history or perspective on the issues of our times.