If I Just Had Two Wings

By Virginia Frances Schwartz

Book Overview

In her dreams, Phoebe twirls through rows of sea island cotton as a white dress blows around her knees like a breeze. As she dances, she loses all memory of being born a slave on an Alabama plantation. She lifts up her feet and flies high above the fields, as light as air. Before her a single white star shines.

Thirteen-year-old Phoebe has always dreamed of leaving her life as a slave behind. She has heard whispers about a secret path to freedom, and she has seen what can happen to those who take it and fail. But freedom means more to Phoebe than anything, and when she meets Liney, a strong young woman who picks cotton next to her, they form a plan to escape together.

One night, Poebe, Liney, and Liney's two small children flee under cover of darkness. Following clues from the songs and stories they have heard, the runaways elude slave catchers and reach the first stop on the Underground Railroad. It is only one safe house in a chain that leads all the way north to Canada. But between them and freedom, lie miles and miles of unfriendly country and dangers too horrible to imagine.

Winner, Silver Birch Award, 2002

Winner, Geoffrey Bilson Award for Historical Fiction

A 2005 New York Public Library selection for Books for the Teen Age

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0773761926
• ISBN13: 9780773761926
• Release Date: April 2002
• Publisher: Fitzhenry & Whiteside
• Length: 221 Pages
• Weight: 0.55 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.2" x 7.6"
• Age Range: 11 to 13 years
• Grade Range: Grades 6 to 8

Customer Reviews

Heart Warming...

This is an amazing book. I would recommend this book for all ages, it can touch hearts of young and old. Basically, its about 5 friends trying to get to the free country of Canada, away from slavery in Alabama. They go through rough times, happy times and hard times, but I will let you see what happens in the end by yourselves. It has everything - sad moments, intensifying moments, happy moments and heart warming moments.

* * Great Read * *

This is a really good story about a brave girl. I love this book and I read it more than once and I never get tired of it!

A Must Read

After reading this book I can honestly say that I learned something about history as well as getting the enjoyment of a good adventure by a Canadian author. Although some parts could be offensive the truth sometimes can be that way. It is shocking that someone could be treated like less than an animal over a piece of fluff. I will read more books by Virginia Schwartz now because she writes in a way that people from 10 to 90 can enjoy her books.

IF JUST HAD TWO WINGS

This book is the best book i have ever read.it makes me want to read it over and over again

A Story about the Triumph of a Dream

This well-researched book is the story of Phoebe, a teenaged woman born in slavery on an Alabama plantation. A map in the front allows readers to follow the route taken by Phoebe, her friends, Liney & Jake, and Liney's 2 little girls as they use the clues in lyrics of the old slave spirituals to guide them on their way along the Underground Railroad. These characters are wonderful role models for our kids--strong, empowered young women & a young man who protects and sacrifices himself for the safety of the group.