A Cord of Three Strands

Holly Moulder
White Pelican Press (2008)
ISBN 9780979040511
Reviewed by Brenna Bales (age 11) for Reader Views (7/08)


In this book, three people learn that no matter what your skin color is, or no matter where you come from, your dreams can always come true. I bet the author loves history. I never really knew that I liked history so much! I would love to learn more about the Underground Railroad, and the Cherokee Indians.

It was a little perplexing, though, when the storyline kept switching between people, but the map in the front of the book, (which I discovered in the middle of reading the book) helped me keep things straight. The map was a really good idea. I loved the fact that Mr. and Mrs. Thompson crossed paths with John during the blizzard. The book was heartbreaking at times, but then something else comes along that lightens it up. It was even humorous at times. I looked forward to each upcoming chapter. It was a little predictable sometimes, though. I also learned some Cherokee words.

My favorite part was when the circus people dressed up John and Annie. I loved the disguises that they thought of. Whoever thought up the Underground Railroad was a genius! I would have hated to have been a slave.

The author is very successful at bringing out John, Annie, and Abraham’s plan. She explains it slowly, bit by bit as you go along. Anyone of any age can read this book, and learn from the lessons just as the characters do in the story. You also learn some very interesting history.  A sixth or seventh-grader should read this book because those are the grades that you learn about this time of history. I love books like this because in every chapter I learn something new. I learned what the Underground Railroad really was all about. It surprised me that it wasn’t a literal underground railroad. It also surprised me that the government was so harsh in those days to the Cherokee Indians.

“A Cord of Three Strands” by Holly Moulder was one of the most interesting books that I have read about this time in history.  I learned lots more than I had anticipated, and the writing was amazing and very detailed. In each chapter you felt there was something lurking just on the next page that you didn't expect at all; it was very intriguing. At some parts I was shocked but then at other times, you knew what would happen next.

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