Cassie Logan's personal courage serves her well during a dangerous trip in Stacey's new car. Although the journey lasts only three days and nights, the distance is greater than geographic, because Cassie is traveling away from her loving rural Mississippi family in 1941. Few choices existed then for most African-American young adults; some of the options are represented in the circumstances of Cassie and her friends. However, these teenagers did have the resources of a mid-twentieth century underground railroad, an informal network of adults who could aid them in those times of no public accommodations laws or other civil rights legislations. Taylor's powerful narrative recreates the tensions and perils of that time and place. This historically accurate and emotionally authentic novel stands on its own for anyone unfamiliar with Taylor's earlier works. Winner, 1990 CCBC Newbery Book Discussion and Co-Winner, 1990 CCBC Coretta Scott King Book Award for Writing Book Discussion. (Age 12 and older)