The author of the book 'Freedom Crossing' s Margaret Goff Clark. The story described in it took place in the nineteenth century. The main character of the book is an Afro-American boy. He decided to leave the farm of his masters and he met new friends, who were connected to the Underground Railroad. The story shows the readers different problems and sorrows of the group of African-American people, who were deprived of their personal freedom and enslaved. The color of their skin made others hate and disregard them. Clark explains different facts from American history- the Fugitive Slave Law, the problems of slavery and terrible racism. The author shows us, how corruptive and unethical racism is.
The main character of the book, Laura Eastman lived by her uncle and aunt in Virginia. She was brought up on a farm, where there were many slaves. After several years she came back to Lewiston, to her father and brother. After coming back, she discovered that her father had the second wife. She also did not recognize her brother- Bert- they became completely strange for each other. Her family in New York state were helping the slaves to get to Canada and to have a chance to live freely. Laura was astonished, because she remembered the words of his uncle, who used to say that 'anyone who helps a slave escape is a thief, because a slave is just as much a man's property as his cow or horse'. Although she was against helping the slaves, she finally changed her mind. She met Martin Paige- a slave, who had escaped from the master from North Carolina. Laura discovered that Martin was a very intelligent man- he could write and read and he worked very hard. She also got to know that form the room occupied by her one could secretly get to the Underground Railroad. Her brother Bert got arrested, because people had seen him talking to the slaves and they suspected him to help them. As Bert was gone, Laura realized that the responsibility for Martin's life was on her shoulders. She took Martin to the woods and showed him the way to the border. She also arranged for Martin's father to wait for him on the Canadian side. Laura's brother finally was released from jail, as the police had no evidence proving that he had done anything illegal. Bert and Laura realized that they really are a family and that they can cooperate.
Margaret Goff Clark writes in a very simple way. Her style is very straightforward, as the book was written for young readers. The novel consists on 17 chapters. Clark compares the world from the history to the contemporary one. She concludes that racism did not die- people are still racists, which is deeply evil. It is based on real life stories of different people. The author is dedicated to show, how harmful and bad racism is, she is also able to convince the reader that it is a thing, which should be taken care of. We have to prevent people from racism and its consequences.
The book 'Freedom Crossing' has also some weaker points. The author does not tell us about the most cruel and violent events connected to problems with slavery of that time. In my opinion, if Clark wanted to show young people, what slavery really was, she should have given more examples of what was happening to the slaves. She did not make clear statements and does not draw straight conclusions. I think that she should have been more persuasive. That book should engage young people to stand up for the rights of other people and make them realize, how bad and immoral enslaving people and depriving them of their rights is. However, Clark describes many historical facts and her book is suitable for youth as well as for all other people. A reader will not get bored by the book and I am positive that many people will find it very interesting.
