Goodreads Review:
Patricia Polacco's most powerful book since Pink and Say. In the middle of the night, The Crosswhites--including young Sadie--must flee the Kentucky plantation they work on. Dear January has been beaten and killed by the plantation master, and they fear who may be next. But Sadie must leave behind her most valuable possession, the wooden sparrow carved for her by January. Through the Underground Railroad, the Crosswhites make the slow and arduous journey to Marshall, Michigan, where they finally live in freedom. And there they stay, happily, until the day a mysterious package shows up on their doorsteps. It is January's sparrow, with a note that reads, "I found you."

How the Crosswhites, and the whole town of Marshall, face this threat will leave readers empowered and enthralled. This is a Polacco adventure that will live in the minds of children for years.

Based on real events, this story of escaped slaves takes readers on an emotional and unforgettable journey and reveals the best and worst of human nature. (

January's Sparrow is a beautifully written and an emotional depiction of slavery during the 19th century. The story follows a family of slaves as they escape from Kentucky to live in Michigan, a free state. While in Michigan, they receive sympathy and compassion from the citizens there whose utmost goal is to protect them. I enjoyed the illustrations that were included because they captured the emotions of the characters and have a great impact on the reader. Polacco's writing is honest and chilling; parts of the text made me feel sick at the fact that this was once the reality of our nation. However, I believe she accomplishes the goal of creating a historical honest text that will be read for centuries. ( )

Summary:This book tells the story of a family who fought to get to freedom and away from slavery in Kentucky. They found refuge in a small town in Michigan for a few years but were eventually found. The town judge jailed the men who were after them and gave the family time to continue running without being chased. After a the Civil War, the family moved back to Michigan in a slavery free world.
Personal Reaction: This was a really good story. It gave vivid details that gave insight to how daily life was for those who lived in the time of slavery.
Classroom Extensions:
1. In the classroom, we could discuss how different the world is now and what an impact the Civil War has on America.
2. We could talk about each of our prized possessions and discuss why Sadie wanted her sparrow so bad.

The story first shows a slave being beaten to death. It is explained that the reasoning behind the killing is because they ran away from their master. Soon after, the community hears that the sons will be sold to other plantation owners. The main character, Sadie, and her family flee the plantation for freedom. January’s Sparrow shows how families escaped and sought out freedom with use of the Underground Railroad. The central message of the book is that many people risked their lives to help families escape. As the story includes a few graphic images, it paints a true picture and understanding of the time period. ( )