William Still and His Freedom Stories

By Don Tate

A man records stories of freedom seekers, reuniting families and uncovering his own past.

4.4/5 Goodreads · 473 ratings

40 pages· 1,991 words· Est. 16 min read-aloud

$18.99Save 5%

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Bookroo's summary

William Still, haunted by his family's past, works for the Pennsylvania Anti-Slavery Society, aiding freedom seekers. When a familiar stranger arrives, William's quest to document their stories intensifies. His records reunite families and reveal encounters with figures like Harriet Tubman. Can he uncover his own family's lost history? This inspiring tale of courage and dedication brings to life the Father of the Underground Railroad.

From the publisher

The remarkable, little-known story of William Still, known as the Father of the Underground Railroad from award-winning author-illustrator Don Tate

William Still’s parents escaped slavery but had to leave two of their children behind, a tragedy that haunted the family. As a young man, William went to work for the Pennsylvania Anti-Slavery Society, where he raised money, planned rescues, and helped freedom seekers who had traveled north. And then one day, a strangely familiar man came into William’s office, searching for information about his long-lost family. Could it be?

Motivated by his own family’s experience, William began collecting the stories of thousands of other freedom seekers. As a result, he was able to reunite other families and build a remarkable source of information, including encounters with Harriet Tubman, Henry “Box” Brown, and William and Ellen Craft.

Don Tate brings to life the incredible, stranger-than-fiction true story of William Still’s life and work as a record keeper of enslaved people who had fled to freedom. Tate’s powerful words and artwork are sure to inspire readers in this first-ever picture book biography of the Father of the Underground Railroad.

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