Dawn of Day
J. A. McPhail, Gwen Battis
eBook
(Rowe Publishing and Design, Oct. 28, 2012)
Henrietta never liked history. But on a late summer day in 1932, she and her sometimes annoying little sister Irma Jean, hear an exciting true story from their artist friend, Maude Mitchell-a story that takes them back in time 75 years. In 1856, Maude's father, William Mitchell, came from Connecticut to support the Free State cause in Kansas. William and his sister Agnes hid runaway slaves in their cabin, including Jesse and Abby, two slave children who'd been cruelly separated from their mother. Henrietta had learned about the Underground Railroad at school, but she never realized how dangerous it was for everyone involved. But what has slavery got to do with the family secret and Aunt Jo being mad at her parents? As the pieces of the puzzle begin to come together, Henrietta discovers a surprise from the past that nobody dreamed was possible.Illustrated with graphite pencil, Dawn of Day is a historical fiction book based on actual people, places, and events in Kansas history. Dawn of Day is the story of Wabaunsee County, Kansas, and its ties to bleeding Kansas and the Underground Railroad (UGRR), featuring the Mitchell family in particular. It covers the time from 1856 to 1932. Dawn of Day provides discussion questions and activities related to the book and for further study.