Underground

by Jean Ferris

In 1839, visitors from miles around come to Kentucky to tour Mammoth Cave. But sixteen-year-old Charlotte, the maid at Mammoth Cave Hotel, doesn't understand its appeal. As a slave, she is already trapped, and she doesn't see the point in risking being trapped underground as well. Still, she's curious when Stephen Bishop, another slave who is the cave's expert guide and chief explorer, makes some big discoveries underground, and she's interested in...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0374372438
• ISBN13: 9780374372439
• Release Date: October 2007
• Publisher: Farrar Straus Giroux
• Length: 168 Pages
• Weight: 0.73 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.8" x 8.4"
• Age Range: 12 to 17 years
• Grade Range: Grades 7 to 12

Customer Reviews

Underground is above ground

This novel is based on real slaves, Charlotte Brown and Stephen Bishop, in 1839. It is narrated in first person by sixteen year old Charlotte. She is sold north to Kentucky where she becomes a maid at Mammoth Cave motel. She falls in love with the other slave tour guide there(innocent romance), and becomes involved with the Underground Railroad. I appreciated that, unlike what I have heard of some of the author's other novels, it did not contain any questionable or sketchy material. I am not the most picky person when it comes to movies or books, but I do prefer it when an author doesn't contanimate a good book with garbage, in which I have to stumble through. The end also has an excellent author's note on her historical accuracy. All in all, I would highly recommend Underground to anyone, especially another teenager interested in the Underground Railroad. It was an excellent blend of dialogue, vivid picture of civil war era slaves' lives and helping others despite your fear (courage and bravery),and romance without going off the deep end.