Includes bibliographical references.

"No one knows where the term Underground Railroad came from--there were no trains or tracks, only "conductors" who helped escaping slaves to freedom. Including real stories about "passengers" on the "Railroad," this book chronicles slaves' close calls with bounty hunters, exhausting struggles on the road, and what they sacrificed for freedom. With 80 black-and-white illustrations throughout and a sixteen-page black-and-white photo insert, the Underground Railroad comes alive!"--

"No one knows where the term "Underground Railroad" came from--there were no trains or tracks, only abolitionist "conductors" who helped bring an estimated 100,000 slaves to freedom through elaborate routes that included "stations," safe houses where fugitives could rest before moving on, and a system of codes and signals used to identify friend from foe. Including real stories from the "Railroad," What Was the Underground Railroad? will capture young readers' hearts: there are close calls with bounty hunters, exhausting struggles on the road, and unending sacrifices slaves made for freedom. With 80 black-and-white illustrations throughout and a sixteen-page black-and-white photo insert, the Underground Railroad comes alive!"--