“5,000 Miles to Freedom” is the work of married couple Judith Bloom and Dennis Brindell Fradin. They tell the story of a slave couple, Ellen and William Craft, and their escape from slavery. The book starts with the couple preparing for their journey. Ellen, who is light-skinned and the biracial product of rape, dresses herself as an affluent white man and Williams would pose as her slave. They left Georgia and slavery behind and set out for Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. But this first 1,000 miles would not be the end of their journey. Due to a crackdown on fugitive slaves, they would travel across the ocean to England to find their freedom. After years in England where they became educated and started a life, they would come back to the U.S. to establish schools and in their home state of Georgia.

This is a very well-written, engaging, and attractive book. The language is accessible on middle school level. While it is not exactly novel-like, it is also not the written in the typical history-book language. It is an easy read and a fairly quick read. The book is filled with illustrations, photographs, diagrams, documents, and maps which complement the text very well. They are often informative and sometimes haunting or even disturbing. The book is full of historical information about the life of slaves, the plight of fugitive slaves, and the abolitionist movement. I would absolutely recommend using this book in a classroom. I believe students would find the story of this not-so-well-known couple fascinating. It is history lesson wrapped in an entertaining story, like a piece of cheese wrapped about a pill you might give you to your dog. ( )

An engaging narrative that brings the history of slavery and the inherent difficulties to life through the experiences of William and Ellen Craft, slaves who were able to escape to freedom in 1848 using their wits. The text is illustrated with black and white photos, illustrations and reproductions that enhance the text that relies upon primary sources, including letters, diaries, and newspapers.

Ellen and William Craft take daring risks to escape from slavery in Georgia by traveling on public transport to Boston in 1848, just 2 years before Pres. Fillmore signed into law a $2000 reward for the capture of runaway slaves discovered in the "free" states thereby forcing the Crafts to flee an additional 4,000 miles to England where slavery was abolished in 1834. Great book for middle schoolers and up. Includes ink drawings and photos of the Craft family. Also quotes from their own book written in 1868. ( )

The BBYA member from Baltimore who nominated this book writes, “Although this is a well known story…” In my part of Michigan (Allegan), I very much doubt that this story is well known. It should be well known; the Fradins retelling of this story will do much to make sure that it becomes, at least, better known.

National Geographic has filled this book with their trademark, high quality pictures and excellent back matter. The book also includes an epilogue featuring relatives of Ellen and William Craft and how they view the flight to freedom by their forbearers.

Ellen was a very light skinned African American who could pass for white. 5,000 Miles to Freedom describes Ellen’s white male disguise and the dangerous journey she made with her husband, whom she pretended was her slave. Their stops in Boston and their eventual journey to London are riveting. London, however, does not provide the Crafts with an easy, happy ending. Readers still have that final journey to freedom to anticipate. Easily and happily recommended for all middle and high school libraries. This is also a book that I hope teachers will book talk and keep in the eyes of their students. ( )

The remarkable story of William and Ellen Craft's daring escape from slavery comes alive in this exciting account of their lives and adventures. Ellen Craft's father was her white master and she could "pass" for white. She dressed as a Southern gentleman while her husband William posed as her slave. Together they made their perilous way to the North.