 -- "The second
in Alan N. Kay's Young Heroes of History series, On the Trail
of John Brown's Body, is every bit as good as the first.
Whereas that book juxtaposed the plight of a
slave family and a northern family filled with abolitionists and
sympathetics, this book follows the adventures of two boys and
their fathers as they journey to the Kansas Territory in the
days when John Brown cast the longest shadow in the land.
David and George, two of the young heroes from the first book,
are the main characters here as well, along with their fathers.
They have typical frontier adventures, but always in the
background (and often in the foreground) is the specter of war,
brought on by the increasingly violent actions of abolitionists
like David's father.
The arrival of the boys in "Bleeding
Kansas" brings that state's bloody conflict into sharp
focus. And by having David's father, John, be a part of John
Brown's brigade, the author gives us an up-close glimpse of the
passion (and, some will say, madness) of Brown himself.
This book succeeds the most by having the
reader follow the typical adventures of young boys (playing
baseball, getting into fights, doing odd jobs for spending
money) while at the same reminding that reader that the setting
for these typical adventures is Civil War-era America. To his
credit, Alan Kay succeeds at both.
As with the first book in this series, I
highly recommend this book. It is an excellent portrayal of
young people in the 19th Century. David White,
editor, Social Studies For Kids, http://www.socialstudiesforkids.com,
April, 2002
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" Here's the second book in a planned
series of ten adventurous historical fiction titles from social
studies teacher Alan Kay. Cousins David and George Adams find
themselves "caught between two worlds," and the only
way of escape is to find David's father, John, who lives in a
wild territory known as "Bleeding Kansas.
Kay treats readers to a rich description of the
countryside during the boys' journey. They experience the
"sweet, refreshing scent" of a wide, wildflower-strewn
prairie, where "green grasses waved in the wind like waves
approaching a shore." The boys meet animals unheard of back
in Boston, and insects like fireflies, which George compares to
"millions of tiny lanterns.
Their appreciation of new sights and sounds are
short-lived, though. Upon reaching David's family and realize
that David's parents are heavily involved in a dangerous plot
with John Brown, whose secret plan to overthrow the Federal
government involves starting a violent slave uprising across the
South. Feel the tension of a family divided, as members realize
the risks of taking such a stand. Will they help John Brown in
his dangerous plan, or make it to Harpers Ferry in time to warn
the townsfolk and stop him in his tracks?" -- Bonnie
Bruno, Editor, www.wonderkorner.com
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"I thoroughly enjoyed this second chapter
in the Young Heroes of History Series. Again in this story,
readers are thrown into the times of violent struggles and
crisis. When the boys learn the truth of John Brown's raid at
Harpers Ferry the family is divided in the heated slavery
debate.
On the Trail of John Brown's Body helps
readers understand the history of the times from all sides as
the boys are followed, threatened and attacked by both
abolitionist and slave supporters. I look forward to reading the
third book in the series, Off to Fight" -- Wendy Hogan,
Editor, http://www.kidsturncentral.com
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