Friend on Freedom River is the story of Louis, Sarah, Lucy, and Tyler. It is set in December 1850. Louis lives on the Detroit River; and while his father is away, it is Louis's job to be the man of the house. His father left him with this advice: "If you don't know what to do, just do what you think I would have done." Sarah, Lucy, and Tyler are runaway slaves looking for a way across the river to Canada and freedom. They look to Louis for help.

I really like this book! It is a powerful story, beautifully written and illustrated. If you are studying the mid-1800s, you need to get Friend on Freedom River. We will be studying American history next year, and this is definitely a book we will read and study time after time. This story captures the spirit of the quest for freedom and the love a mother has for her children.

My 6-year-old son enjoyed Friend on Freedom River. My youngest daughter is reading on a fourth-grade level, and she had no difficulty reading the book. My 14- and 16-year-old daughters enjoyed the story and illustrations.

Product review by Tina Rice, Contributing Writer, The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine, LLC, July 2006