William Still and His Freedom Stories: The Father of the Underground Railroad

From award-winning author-illustrator Don Tate comes a remarkable picture book biography of William Still, known as Father of the Underground Railroad.

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. 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 Still 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.

Award-winning author-illustrator Don Tate brings to life the incredible, true story of William Still, a man who dedicated his life to recording the stories of enslaved people fleeing to freedom. Tate's powerful words and artwork are sure to inspire young readers in this first-ever picture book biography of the Father of the Underground Railroad.

Publisher: Peachtree Publishers
Published: 11/03/2020
Pages: 40
Weight: 1.15lbs
Size: 9.90h x 11.10w x 0.50d
ISBN: 9781561459353
Age: Ages 9-12

Accelerated Reader:
Reading Level: 4
Point Value: 0.5
Interest Level: Lower Grade
Quiz #/Name: 509705 / William Still and His Freedom Stories: The Father of the Underground Railroad


Award: Golden Kite - Winner


Review Citation(s):
School Library Journal 10/01/2020 pg. 96
Kirkus Reviews 10/15/2020
Publishers Weekly 11/16/2020
Booklist 11/01/2020 pg. 50
Shelf Awareness 12/04/2020
Kirkus Reviews 12/01/2020 pg. 227
Horn Book Magazine 01/01/2021 pg. 137
Hornbook Guide to Children 01/01/2021 - Superior,Well Above Average

About the Author
Don Tate grew up in Des Moines, Iowa, where he learned about Black history at the Center for Study and Application of Black Theology. He grew up to become an author and illustrator of numerous award-winning children's books, including It Jes' Happened: When Bill Traylor Started to Draw and Poet: The Remarkable Story of George Moses Horton, both of received Ezra Jack Keats New Writer Honor awards. He lives in Austin, Texas.