Responding to Underground to Canada 1

We have just finished reading chapter 3 of Underground to Canada written by Barbara Smucker.  So far, we have learned that the book is taking place in Virginia, USA on a plantation called the Hensen plantation.  We're not exactly sure what year the book is taking place in, but we do know that at this point Canada has abolished slavery and will not return the slaves to the USA.  That law was passed in 1850 (The Fugitive Slave Act) so it must be happening some time after that.  We did learn a bit about the Hensen plantation too.  Slaves are treated well there.  They are given decent clothing and sleep in a slave cabin with wood-planked floors.  The slaves mention that they know not all plantations treat their slaves as well as Massa Hensen treats his.  But, in these chapters, some of the slaves are sold to slave traders from the deep south so we don't know where they're headed at this point.

We are learning about the protagonist, Julilly.  She is named June Lilly but people often slur the names together so it sounds like Julilly.  She is African American and is a slave at the Hensen plantation with her mother. At this point in the story, we know that she is 12 years old and is strong for her age.  We know that she is an only child and that her father died of a snake bite when she was born.  She is very close to her mother, Mammy Sally but at the end of the 2nd chapter, she was taken away from her.  She seems to be helpful, caring, and kind.  We know this because she helped out the kids in the wagon that were thirsty by holding a drinking gourd to their mouths.  She also seems curious about the things around her.  For example, when the cart of children sees a black boy, she asked him questions about whether he is a slave or whether he is free.  She immediately starts wondering if the words spoken by the driver, "Quaker Abolitionist" had anything to do with Canada.

Now, try writing your own blog post about your thoughts on the character and setting of your novel.  Remember, you don't need to include only the things the author tells you directly.  Try to think of how you can interpret the character's actions and what they show about the character's personality.