Role: Discussion Director

1. Where does Tommy Fuller find people hiding on his parent’s property? If you could picture this scene in your mind, what would it look like?

He finds a black family hiding in the barn. I can imagine Tommy walking through the barn, talking to all of the barn animals and thinking about the punishment he will receive from his father after church. I see hay and a bad smell everywhere. I can also envision the horrific look on Tommy’s face when he saw a stranger standing in his father’s barn holding an axe. This would be a very frightening for any small child (or any grown adult for that matter). I can imagine a loud scream and Tommy being so scared that he could not even run away. Once the strangers explained themselves, I can imagine Tommy and ‘Little Jeff’ playing together (or identifying with each other). Tommy’s eyes were probably wide open with confusion and excitement. (Pages 20-28)

2. When Tommy and his family were at church, he was not exactly under the best of behavior. What did he do to cause a disruption and how did his father react?

Tommy could see a flock of geese out of the church window. He tied a fishing line around an apple core and threw it out the window. One of the geese picked up the apple core and Tommy tugged on the line. When the goose would not let go, there was a huge commotion. The geese were squawking and the people in the church stopped singing. Tommy’s father was very upset and ordered him to go straight home and to his room.

3. Tommy made a huge discovery after leaving church. How did this happen?

If Tommy had not been misbehaving in church, he would not have been sent home. If he had not been sent home alone (by an angry father), he probably would not have decided to venture into the barn. If he had not ventured into the barn, he would not have discovered the runaways. So, because he was misbehaving in church, his father sent him home. And because he was sent home alone, thinking about his future spanking, he made a venture into the barn. Eventually, it turned into a discovery…

Tommy heard a noise when he was in the barn. It sounded like a baby crying. He asked who was there and a black man stood and replied. Tommy probably would not have made this discovery if he had not been kicked out of church and if the baby had not made a sound. (Page 23)

4. On page 31, Deacon Fuller discovers that Tommy found the people that were hiding in the barn. What do you think father is going to do with the runaways next?

We can tell that Deacon Fuller already knew that these people were there. He says, “I can see who you found. You found all my passengers.” Therefore, I believe that Deacon Fuller is a part of the Underground Railroad and he is going to help the family to find safety in Canada.

5. How did you feel when you read this portion of the book?

I always feel sad when I read about slavery. However, I really enjoying the stories that I believe will have a happy ending. It is wonderful to know that everyone did not approve of slavery, and there were people that were willing to help slaves find safety. I am looking forward to finding out how Deacon Fuller helps the runaways along the Underground Railroad and what part Tommy will take in the adventure.