This is the story of a young deaf boy, whose mother helps deliver messages for the underground railroad. When a man accuses her of helping slaves, she can't leave the house and it is up to Luke to deliver the message by going to the market and selling a painted egg to a girl that shows where the safe meeting place is.

The genre of this book is historical fiction. The story follows a white deaf boy and his mother who are painting eggs to sell at the general store in town. When a slave catcher bursts into their home and accuses them of hiding slaves, Luke, the boy, must find a way to contact the African-American girl who is waiting for a message from them. Instead of directly telling her, Luke finds a clever way to get the message across without the slave catcher finding out. This book would be appropriate for use in a 3rd-5th grade classroom. ( )

Luke is deaf, and together him and his mom are working to help run away slaves escape to freedom. Luke and his mom make kaleidoscope type sugar shells for a living. Both are in constant fear because of the cruelties that the slave hunters are committing such as burning down barns. They were scheduled to go into town that day and pass on information about the new safe place. Just then, a slave hunter knocks on the door and barges in. Luke's mom signs the conversation so that he could understand what is happening. The slave hunter is brutal and angry and limits the moms ability to sign. Finally, the man agrees to take only Luke into town to sell their goods. Luke reassures his mom that he will pass on the message. At the general store, Luke spots the girl with the blue shawl, who he is supposed to tell the message too. With a crowd of people and the slave hunter watching, the young boy paints a picture of the safe space, the Price's barn, and then awes the crowd and the man with his work. He then places the egg in the young girls hand and prods her to look into the light. She recognizes the sign. Luke had done what he needed to do. He had courage, and faced his fears, and made a difference in the lives of people who matter. (Historical Fiction)

i could use this book for helping other, when talking about slavery and those who helped, and how they helped, and what they had to go through, demonstrate also needs bravery ( )