Journey to Freedom: A Story of the Underground Railroad written by Courtni C. Wright illustrated by Gershom Griffith

This is a fictional picture book told from the perspective of an eight year old boy whose family is escaping along the Underground Railroad.  Journey to Freedom is emotional and detailed which is also depicted in the illustrations.  The illustrations are watercolor and show great detail in the faces of character.  Journey to Freedom gives readers insight into hardships faced by many runaway slaves while introducing more details about the functioning of the Underground Railroad. 

This book is a great introduction to the Underground Railroad because it introduces slave hunters and the signals used along the routes.  Journey to Freedom offers readers details that could be further digested through an analysis of the literary elements.  This would not only reinforce the concept of literary elements but also gives students the opportunity to further discuss the Underground Railroad.