Raccoons and Rabbit Holes by Loralee EvansMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is a great story for children around nine years old. It has adventure, mystery and maybe magic all rolled into one, with a short history lesson thrown in. Julie has recently met Jax and his little sister, Ani, who appears to be fearless – apart from small furry animals like cats and raccoons! A particular local raccoon causes the three kids to fall down an ancient, hollow oak tree.
Upon finding themselves the unwilling explorers of an old, supposed haunted house, the trio wind up travelling back in time, to the American Civil War. Her new friends have to hide from runaway-slave hunters and meet Jax’s heroine Harriet Tubman, the ardent abolitionist. This is written so well that anyone, child or adult, becomes fascinated enough to want to discover more – as did this reader. The obvious question of black persecution and racism is there but handled well by the author so that the lessons are subtly sympathetic. Meanwhile, a raccoon is directing the action with human-like behaviour, demanding the attention and curiosity of readers, young or older.
Each child has a distinct character and the dialogue is believable. There is enough excitement and tension around the incident involving the slave hunters to engage young readers while learning about the previously more dangerous times for the black minority peoples of America.
Despite a frequently occurring editing issue this book is highly recommended.
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