- Hardcover: 128 pages
- Publisher: Random House USA Inc (22 July 1999)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0679885943
- ISBN-13: 978-0679885948
- Product Dimensions: 21.1 x 14.2 x 2.3 cm
- Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 3,938,738 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
Dear Austin
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More About the Author
Product Description
Product Description
The year is 1853 and eleven-year-old Levi Ives can't wait to cross the wide country to join his brother, Austin, out in the Oregon Territory and escape from boring old Sudbury, Pennsylvania. But life back home suddenly goes from dull to dangerous when Levi's best friend, Jupiter, discovers that his little sister, Darcy, has disappeared, recaptured by slave owners. Levi is white and Jupiter is black, and together they set out into dangerous territory in an attempt to save little Darcy's freedom--and her life. This moving sequel to Dear Levi, told in letters, is rich in history and adventure, a must-have for teachers, reluctant readers, and every Dear Levi fan.
From the Author
an explaination of how the book took shape
When I began Dear Austin...I was thinking of writing a lightsequel to my Dear Levi, Letters From The Overland Trail. I wanted to make it light after recieiving a number of letters from readers asking why so many 'good people' had to die in the book. Of course, I wrote back explaining that I was trying to give them as accurate a picture of history as I could. The sad fact was that many 'good people' died on the Overland Trail. That being said, I do keep in mind that my readers are children and their concerns stayed with me. In the sequel I decided to give Levi a personality that would lead him into one scrape after another. Thus he spends a good part of the story plucking chickens as a punishment for his misdeeds (misdeeds that I hoped would prove humorous). But early on into envisioning this story the character of Levi's best friend, Jupiter, whose father was a slave, began to tug at me. What was his story? And how would the events of the times affect his life and friendship with Levi? So before I knew it, I was veering away from light and funny and into the darker waters of slavery and the lasting effects it was to have on two young boys' lives. My goal then was to tell a tale not so much centered on black and white, but rather the story of innocence facing up to evil. Anyone who has studied history will attest to the strength and resiliency to be found in the human spirit. When you read about people like Harriet Tubman, who risked her life time and again to bring her people out of slavery, you can only marvel at such a bright spirit. And while my Dear Austin won't leave my readers laughing, I hope it will leave them smiling, smiling for having known the goodness and strength of character that did exist to counter the evils of slavery. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
When I began Dear Austin...I was thinking of writing a lightsequel to my Dear Levi, Letters From The Overland Trail. I wanted to make it light after recieiving a number of letters from readers asking why so many 'good people' had to die in the book. Of course, I wrote back explaining that I was trying to give them as accurate a picture of history as I could. The sad fact was that many 'good people' died on the Overland Trail. That being said, I do keep in mind that my readers are children and their concerns stayed with me. In the sequel I decided to give Levi a personality that would lead him into one scrape after another. Thus he spends a good part of the story plucking chickens as a punishment for his misdeeds (misdeeds that I hoped would prove humorous). But early on into envisioning this story the character of Levi's best friend, Jupiter, whose father was a slave, began to tug at me. What was his story? And how would the events of the times affect his life and friendship with Levi? So before I knew it, I was veering away from light and funny and into the darker waters of slavery and the lasting effects it was to have on two young boys' lives. My goal then was to tell a tale not so much centered on black and white, but rather the story of innocence facing up to evil. Anyone who has studied history will attest to the strength and resiliency to be found in the human spirit. When you read about people like Harriet Tubman, who risked her life time and again to bring her people out of slavery, you can only marvel at such a bright spirit. And while my Dear Austin won't leave my readers laughing, I hope it will leave them smiling, smiling for having known the goodness and strength of character that did exist to counter the evils of slavery. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
Format:Hardcover
This sequal to Dear Levi: Letters from the Overland Trail features letters from Levi to his older brother, Austin, who has now been on the family homestead in Oregon for several years. Levi will join him next spring, but until then, he must be content with exchanging letters. But adventures aren't just in the Western Territories - adventures await Levi closer to home than he thinks. When his African American friend Jupiter's little sister Darcy is kidnapped by slave catchers, Jupiter and Levi head south to search for her, and have an adventure with the Underground Railroad. The Underground Railroad is the topic of too many children's books this fall (North by Night by Katherine Ayres, Bright Freedom's Song by Gloria Houston, and The Last Safe House by Barbara Greenwood), but Woodruff's poignant story manages to stand on it's own and hold some ground, though not as powerful as Ayres's North by Night.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
8 reviews
12 of 13 people found the following review helpful
A tough story full of heart
17 Jun 2000
Format:Hardcover
I used this book with my fifth grade class. The author's ability to blend history, humor, and heart gave me just the story I was looking for to use on my unit about slavery.It totally hooked my students and I had to read much more each day than I had planned on!(They didn't want me to put it down!)I was also glad that the author didn't shy away from the truth and though the ending was hard it gave us a very moving and accurate description of the horrors of slavery- as much as a ten year old need digest. I would highly recommend this to both students and teachers, alike. M. Stevens
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Levi writes to his brother about the Underground Railroad.
23 Aug 1998
Format:Hardcover
This sequal to Dear Levi: Letters from the Overland Trail features letters from Levi to his older brother, Austin, who has now been on the family homestead in Oregon for several years. Levi will join him next spring, but until then, he must be content with exchanging letters. But adventures aren't just in the Western Territories - adventures await Levi closer to home than he thinks. When his African American friend Jupiter's little sister Darcy is kidnapped by slave catchers, Jupiter and Levi head south to search for her, and have an adventure with the Underground Railroad. The Underground Railroad is the topic of too many children's books this fall (North by Night by Katherine Ayres, Bright Freedom's Song by Gloria Houston, and The Last Safe House by Barbara Greenwood), but Woodruff's poignant story manages to stand on it's own and hold some ground, though not as powerful as Ayres's North by Night.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Ryan's Review
10 Feb 2005
Format:Paperback
Dear Austin Letters from the Underground Railroad, written by Elvira Woodruff, is a fantastic book. It takes place in Pennsylvania in the 1800's when slavery was around. It is cold there because it is around the winter.
This book is about a 9 year old boy named Levi Ives. There is a girl named Darcy and she loves to sing, and I mean she loves to sing! Levi seems like a very nice boy. He will play with anyone. His hobby is to sleep outside with his friends. His friend's name is Jonathan. Jonathan's nickname is Possum because his older brother Tom always looked down and said "you look like a little possum". His other friend's nickname is Jupiter. Possum and Jupiter are about Levi's age.
The problem in the story is that Darcy runs away south. Jupiter goes with Levi to rescue Darcy. They travel different kinds of cool ways. My favorite part is when Jupiter saved his dog's life from jumping off Widow's Rock.
I would give this book 5 stars because at some parts I felt like I was there. My opinion of the author is fantastic. I really think she did a good job of detailing. I would definitely recommend this book because it is amazing!!
This book is about a 9 year old boy named Levi Ives. There is a girl named Darcy and she loves to sing, and I mean she loves to sing! Levi seems like a very nice boy. He will play with anyone. His hobby is to sleep outside with his friends. His friend's name is Jonathan. Jonathan's nickname is Possum because his older brother Tom always looked down and said "you look like a little possum". His other friend's nickname is Jupiter. Possum and Jupiter are about Levi's age.
The problem in the story is that Darcy runs away south. Jupiter goes with Levi to rescue Darcy. They travel different kinds of cool ways. My favorite part is when Jupiter saved his dog's life from jumping off Widow's Rock.
I would give this book 5 stars because at some parts I felt like I was there. My opinion of the author is fantastic. I really think she did a good job of detailing. I would definitely recommend this book because it is amazing!!
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