Book Review for The Golden Pathway by Donna McDine

The Golden Pathway by Donna McDine

(Guardian Angel Publishing, August 12, 2010)

The Golden Pathway is a historical fiction book that talks about slavery and the Underground Railroad.

People who were alive during the time of slavery, believed in two things in the south. They either believed in slavery or did not. David is the boy in this story, who did not believe in slavery. He did not agree that another person should be owned, and he certainly did not believe in the abuse and bad treatment that a slave sometimes had to endure. David’s Pa is a man with little qualm about beating slaves. He, on occasion, especially when he had a little too much to drink, would take his frustrations out on the family's slave, Jenkins. After hearing Pa whip Jenkins for the umpteenth time—he had enough. David was tired of his father’s drunken outbursts of insanity, and he often had prayed that Pa wouldn’t find another target for his temper.

So, he waited. David waited until the chaos was over to try and comfort his friend. It made him sick to see the whip lashes on Jenkins back. Wanting to do something to save Jenkins, and yet also fearing what would happen to him, David decides that Jenkins must be set free. The only way to do that was to take him to a Quaker, who was someone who did not believe in slavery. A Quaker would help slaves escape to the north to freedom via the Underground Railroad. It was considered the golden pathway to freedom.

The Quaker tells David where to meet him with Jenkins. Do they get caught? Will David be punished for aiding a slave? On the other hand, will Jenkins finally be free?

The Golden Pathway is a story about courage and friendship. Children will be able to learn a little more about this time period. Mrs. McDine adds a bibliography page to the back of her book where readers can learn more about slavery. She also adds an Author’s Note page that provides further information for the reader.

Children who like historical fiction between the ages of 8–12 will enjoy this 26-page picture book, which is available in hardcover, paperback and e-book.

This book was reviewed for Pump Up Your Books Blog Tour for Donna McDine. For more info on the other places, she will be visiting, please check out her website at www.donnamcdine.com