I really, really wanted to be able to read this book but the format it was available in would not open on any of my devices. I'm giving the book three stars anyway, as I didn't have a fair opportunity to review it.

Robert Smalls is an American hero and it's great to see his story shared with little readers. The story flowed well and does a good job of capturing Smalls' life and heroism.

A great book for younger students to learn of men and women that made a huge difference in history. This is the story of Robert Smalls and his efforts to help himself, his family, and other slaves escape and find their way to freedom.

This was a great book, I enjoyed the history and learning how he escaped by night acting as a civil war soldier. Interesting book.

I really enjoyed this book! I took the time out to read it with my son and allowed him to learn about the history of African-Americans in America during any time people. I look forward to reading whatever else Ms. Jehan Jones Radgowski has to publish! :)

The Escape of Robert Smalls is a children’s read aloud book with fabulous illustrations by Poppy Kang and written by Jehan Jones-Radgowski. The book shares a story of a man determined to be free at a time when being free was not an easy option for a black man.

Robert Smalls was a slave born in South Carolina. He was born at a time when slavery was allowed in the Southern states, but not in the Northern States. Many slaves wanted to escape to freedom, but the treacherous journey, as well as the Fugitive Slave Laws kept many from trying. Robert Smalls and a few friends had come up with a bold escape plan, but would it work?

I liked how the book didn’t presume prior knowledge of slavery. The story was just tense enough to keep youngsters guessing and hoping for the best. The Escape of Robert Smalls was a good read aloud!

Once in awhile, I’m able to find a beautiful picture book that tells a true story from history. These are my favorite picture books, and of course, my younger children love it when I read these stories to them. We just read The Escape of Robert Smalls, and my 4-, 7-, and 9-year-olds really enjoyed it. We read half of it one evening, and then ran out of time, so they were asking me to finish it. That means it was memorable!

Robert Smalls was a slave in Charleston, South Carolina. He had been hired out by his master to work on a boat. When he realized that some people could be fooled into thinking he was the captain of the ship, he made it his business to study the way that captain stood, walked, and talked so that he could imitate him exactly. Then one night, he set a daring plan into action.

The captain decided to stay on shore for the night, leaving Robert in charge. This was his chance—he and the other black crew members managed to get their families onto the ship and they headed out to sea. Would they be able to sneak past the other Confederate ships and forts? And what would happen when they reached the Union Blockade?

This is an amazing story of bravery and daring. The tension is high until the very end, when the boat will either be left alone by the Union gunboats, or be blown out of the water. We were quite intrigued by the story, and enjoyed the full-color oil paintings very much. These pictures do a great job of showing action in a realistic way. This book is a great addition to a child’s bookshelf!

I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley, and these are my honest thoughts about it.

Fantastic picture book detailing one particular moment in the incredible life of Robert Smalls. Smalls was born into slavery in South Carolina but went on to become a free man elected to serve in both the South Carolina Legislature and the US House of Representatives. He led an amazing life, but this book focuses on his daring escape from slavery during the Civil War. He was a sailor on a Confederate ship, and one night when the captain and white crew members were off-ship, he and the other enslaved black crew members--and their families!--sailed out of Charleston harbor and off to where the Union warships were based farther up the coast. It was an amazing, daring escape that gave me chills to read about. The illustrations are also beautifully done, and they perfectly capture this incredible moment in the life of Robert Smalls. I would recommend this book to all elementary school librarians and teachers, parents of young children, and anyone who wants to get a glimpse of this inspiring story.

I am so impressed with the book, The Escape of Robert Smalls by Jehan Jones Radgowski. I thought from the description that it would be a longer read geared towards fourth grade and up. I am sure that they would enjoy this story too but it is just right for a second grade reader. Wonderful, authentic, meaning text that developing reader can learn from as well as enjoy reading. Not too long, not too short; a clear concise narrative of the escape with interesting illustrations to go along it The Afterword concerning background of the times and his further endeavors is an excellent bonus..

I live in the South but sadly had never heard of Robert Smalls so I found him to be inspiringly remarkable. Even so I was glad to see this was a man who never stopped doing what many would have thought impossible during his lifetime. Certainly children need to learn about this individual. This book brings his thinking-in-the-moment bravery to exciting life.

This was an interesting picture book to read, especially as it's inspired/based on real events. The illustrations fit the story well and sets the mood. I think this book would be great in a classroom library and/or could work well in terms of introducing kids to the topics of civil war and/or slavery.

What a great book! Having never heard of Robert Smalls, I was intrigued by his story. I was not disappointed! The writing and imagery draw the reader in quickly. This is a must have as a read aloud in Civil War conversations. #EscapeOfRobertSmalls #Netgslley

This picture biography really captures the perilous situation Robert Smalls and his passengers were in when they made their daring escape -- right under the noses of the Confederates. I love the illustrations as they do a wonderful job in depicting details like Smalls resemblance to the boat captain and the route the steamship took to freedom. A more detailed explanation on slavery, the Civil War and the rest of the story for Robert is included at the back of the book. Robert Small is an American hero we all need to know.

Thank you to Capstone and NetGalley for a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Robert Smalls was a slave during the Civil War, and he had a job on a Confederate warship which enabled him to get close to the captain. Since the captain broke protocol and left the ship in Robert's control in order to visit family, Robert was able to escape from slavery with his family, the crew, and their families because of his quick wits, careful planning, and bravery in the face of danger.
This book is well written, tells historical events in a simple, comprehensible way, and has beautifully painted artwork. There is a historical note in the back as well as a glossary of terms. I believe this book would be a great resource for upper elementary school classes, and I highly recommend it!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. A positive review was not required, and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Once I was finally able to download this book I thoroughly enjoyed the combination of vivid illustrations and an aspect of American history that young people are unlikely to know. This book brings the heroic character of Robert Smalls to life and shows his bravery and ingenuity in outmaneuvering the Confederate navy. It is a gripping story from beginning to end and could become the first in a series of historical profiles.

Thank You so much to Jhan Jones Radgowski for writing this book! The Escape of Robert Smalls will give children and grade schoolers a terrific insight into the Civil War and what it was all about. The pictures were nicely illustrated and depicted the events of the story well. There was also a short one page history of Robert Smalls and the Civil war in the back as well as a page of glossary terms. Both of these items will be able to help readers continue searching for information about topics discussed in the book. I would give this book 5 star for excellent storytelling, illustrations, and information.

This is a story about Robert Smalls, an enslaved man who escapes with his family. He uses the skills he has and opportunities that arise as a shipmate (really a pilot and most likely captain, but not recognized as so because he was enslaved). He plans an escape that saves his family and 7 others. Would be great to learn more about him and others like him and his family. #EscapeOfRobertSmalls #NetGalley

I enjoyed this book so much. I love learning about historical people who made a difference, and I'm so glad that this book is out there to teach children about Robert Smalls. The story does a great job in being approachable while also highlighting the danger and careful planning that had to be done in order for Smalls to make his escape. The suspense was beautifully built and kept me engaged and at the edge of my seat. It was incredibly informative as well while also being appropriate for a children's book. I appreciated the glossary at the back for some of the more challenging words--definitely could build a vocabulary list from this! The illustrations were absolutely delightful and do a lot to enhance the story.

This would be an incredible addition to a classroom library and a great resource for children learning/researching about the Civil War. I definitely recommend this!

This is a lovely picture book biography of Robert Smalls, an African American who was enslaved and had a completely brilliant idea for how to get to freedom. The pictures are evocative and help to dramatize the very exciting story of his escape. I really enjoyed this one and I'm looking forward to putting it in my elementary library.

n the early morning hours of May 13, 1862, Robert Smalls poses as a Confederate warship captain to lead a crew of slaves on a daring escape. With a ship full of crew and family, they must pass by one of the most highly defended Confederate forts. Will Smalls be able to successfully impersonate the captain and lead the ship to safety? Or will their escape be over before it even starts?

Based on a true story, this book introduces readers ages 9-12 to one of the little known heroes of the Civil War. Before reading The Escape of Robert Smalls, I'd never heard of this unsung hero. But his story, courage, and integrity were so clearly portrayed in this picture book. Due to his clear thinking and nerves of steel, Small changed the fate of his crew and their families. We need more stories like this, holding up men and women of integrity for our kids to admire. As a teacher, I'm happy to share this book with my students as we study the Civil War. If you're looking to learn more about the Civil War or just looking for great examples of strength and character, this picture book is a great place to start.

*Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley for a free digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I had never heard about Robert Smalls before this book. He is a slave during the Civil War who made an escape to freedom. This picture book makes it an accessible story for children and would be a great teaching tool during Black History Month or any lessons on the history of slavery during the elementary years (or older).