Escape by Night - by Laurie Myers (Paperback)

About the Book

Tommy, the son of a Presbyterian minister in Augusta, Georgia, during the Civil War, must search his conscience to decide whether he should help a Yankee soldier escape and return home. Inspired by the early life of Woodrow Wilson. Illustrations.

Book Synopsis

In Escape by Night, Ten-year-old Tommy and his sister Annie are intrigued by the new soldiers arriving in their Georgia town. Since the Civil War started, wounded men waiting to be treated at the local church-turned-hospital have been coming in by droves. When Tommy sees a soldier drop his notebook, he sends his dog, Samson, to fetch it. Tommy soon meets the soldier and is faced with the hardest decision he's ever had to make: whether or not he should help a Yankee escape to freedom.

Filled with intriguing suspense and tackling difficult questions about slavery, this story, told in accessible short chapters by Laurie Myers, will appeal to history buffs as well as those who appreciate a faithful dog.

Review Quotes

"The succinct and simply written narrative will appeal to reluctant and younger-grade readers while the full-page black-and-white pen-and-ink sketches provide the visual time and epoch setting of the story." --School Library Journal

"A genuine young hero learns the meaning of friendship, loyalty and freedom in this suspenseful Civil War vignette." --Kirkus Reviews

"Sharp historical fiction, adeptly streamlined for reluctant readers." --Publishers Weekly

"This quick and exciting chapter book isn't shy about advancing a moral message but does so with a light touch, allowing Tommy to arrive naturally at his convictions." --Booklist

About the Author

Laurie Myers is the author of several well-received books for intermediate readers, including Lewis and Clark and Me and collections of stories that she collaborated on with her mother Betsy Byars and sister, Betsy Duffey: My Dog, My Hero; Dog Diaries; and Cat Diaries. Ms. Myers lives with her family in Augusta, Georgia.

Amy June Bates has illustrated many books for children, including The Dog Who Belonged to No One by Amy Hest and Hillary Rodham Clinton: Dreams Taking Flight by Kathleen Krull. She graduated from Brigham Young University and now lives in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.