1. Aspects of the U.S. abolitionist movement are included in this story.

Write a paper on this movement's issues, leaders, and newspapers.

2. Investigate superstitions in early America. Select specific ones and find out where they originated, what effect they had then, and if they are present in our culture now.

3. Mrs. Radtke is a midwife. Write about midwifery then and now.

4. Write a first-person narrative of some of the important events in your life.

5. Research the author's background and other works. Write about his style and what he means by "a story's sound shape."

6. Read some of Fleischman's mysteries and historical fiction. What aspects of the book were a result of research, and what were a product of his imagination?

Ideas for Creative Projects 1. Produce a chart of your family tree. Include as many generations as you can.

2. Make a...