Top of the Shelf: January's Sparrow

January's Sparrow by Patricia Polacco

Fearful of their lives after January, a fellow slave, is terribly beaten, Sadie's family flees north on the Underground Railroad. Once in Michigan, however, the arrival of slave catchers forces them on to Canada. Throughout their trials, January's gift to Sadie, a carved wooden sparrow, brings her comfort. Based on a true story, this longer-than-usual picture book (94 pages) captures attention through powerful illustrations and strong storytelling.

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