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Zusatztext * “This memorable portrayal . . . proves gripping from beginning to end.”–Starred! Publishers Weekly * “A thrilling escape story! right until the last chapter.”–Starred! Booklist “Strong characters and an innovative! suspenseful plot distinguish Pearsall’s first novel . . . A compelling story.”– School Library Journal “One of the best underground railroad narratives in recent years . . . This succeeds as a suspenseful historical adventure.”– Kirkus Reviews “Pearsall’s heartbreaking! yet hopeful story provides a fine supplement to lessons on slavery.”– Teacher Magazine AWARDS The 2003 Scott O’ Dell Award for Historical Fiction A Booklist Top 10 First Novel A Booklist Top Ten Historical Fiction for Youth Informationen zum Autor A former middle school teacher and historian, Shelley Pearsall is now working on her next historical novel and leading writing workshops for children. Trouble Don’t Last is her first novel. Pearsall did extensive research while writing Trouble Don’t Last and traveled to towns along the escape route–including crossing the Ohio River in a boat and visiting a community in Chatham, Ontario, another destination for runaway slaves. “I’ve found that learning about history in an imaginative way often sticks with students longer than review questions in a text-book,” says Pearsall. AUTHOR'S NOTE The Underground Railroad is a familiar American story. It is filled with dramatic tales of secret rooms, brave abolitionists, and midnight journeys. But sometimes the real heroes of the story–the runaways themselves–are left in the background. What did they think and feel as they tried to reach freedom? What was their journey like? Whom did the runaways trust and whom did they fear? This book grew from my wondering about these questions. . . . In my research, I learned that the Underground Railroad was not a clear, organized network that led runaways from the South to the North. Actually, the term referred to any safe routes or hiding places used by runaways–so there were hundreds, even thousands of "underground railroads." Most runaways traveled just the way that Samuel and Harrison did–using whatever temporary hiding places or means of transportation they could find. As the number of actual railroad lines increased throughout the country in the 1850's, some runaways even hid on railroad cars when travelling from one place to another. They called this "riding the steam cars" or "going the faster way." I also discovered that runaways were not as helpless or ill-prepared as they are sometimes portrayed. Historical records indicate that many slaves planned carefully for their journey. They brought provisions such as food and extra clothing with them. Since transportation and guides could cost money, some slaves saved money for their escape, while others, like Samuel and Harrison, received money from individuals they met during their journey. White abolitionists and sympathetic religious groups like the Quakers aided many runaways on the Underground Railroad. However, free African Americans played an equally important role. They kept runaways in their homes and settlements, and served as guides, wagon drivers, and even decoys. In fact, the character of the river man is based on the real-life story of a black Underground Railroad guide named John P. Parker. Like the River Man, John Parker was badly beaten as a young slave, and so he never traveled anywhere without a pistol in his pocket and a knife in his belt. During a fifteen year period, he ferried more than 400 runaways across the Ohio River, and a $ 1000 reward was once offered for his capture. After the Civil War, he became a successful businessman in Ripley, Ohio, and patent several inventions. I am often asked what other p...
