Tour - Across the Wide River by Stephanie Reed

Lowry Rankin is just a young boy when he sees first hand how cruel slave owners can be.  His friend Sherwood is beaten and Lowry thinks it may be his fault because he is white.  This stays with young Lowry his entire life.  The state of Tenneesee is all for slavery, so young Lowry's father, a preacher, moves the family to Kentucky.  They don't stay there long because of the cruelty to blacks and move to Ripley, Ohio along the river.

There, Lowry grows up and helps his father, who runs a safehouse that harbors slaves.  Lowry helps them get to the next step and from there to the Underground Railroad.  Lowry uses his Bible as his guide, believing in the value of life, no matter what color their skin is.

Lowry's father wants him to become a preacher, but Lowry is shy and doesn't think anyone would want to listen to him.  So, he goes to work with his uncle and become a carpenter.  He also meets and falls in love with Amanda and athough the two are separated a few times, they eventually marry.

This is a remarkable story set back in the 1800's about one familie's fight to help abolish slavery and the impact it had on a young lad, Lowery.  You won't be able to put this novel down - it will entrance you and make you flinch at the cruelties humans can do to one another.  Inspiring and captivating, you won't want to miss this one!!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
During her childhood, Stephanie Reed's family would often pass through Ripley on their way to her grandparents' home. The signs she read there about the Rankin house were what prompted her
to write this story. After working for nearly a decade with the Dayton Metro Library, Stephanie is currently a volunteer spotter for the National Weather Service. She lives with her husband and two children in Dublin, Ohio.

Stephanie on Facebook
The Light Across the River , sequel to Across the Wide River

Purchase Across the Wide River