carolyn McAllister
i AM THEODORE
A true story of a young boy working the Underground Railroad
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Theodore McAllister is only eight years old when his father trusts him with a dangerous job, helping freedom seekers reach safety. In the dark woods, Theodore hears hounds in the distance and guides frightened travelers into Rock Creek to wash away their scent, then hides them in the mill’s cog pit until they can move on before dawn.
About the Author
Carolyn McAllister
Carolyn McAllister is a retired educator: reading specialist, teacher, and principal who loves children and literacy. When writing children’s books she likes to share true and fictional stories in a way to engage her readers.
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i AM THEODORE
A true story of a young boy working the Underground Railroad
I Am Theodore is a powerful and inspiring true story of courage, compassion, and quiet heroism during one of the most difficult periods in American history.
Set in the 1800s, this remarkable narrative follows Theodore McAllister, an ordinary boy with an extraordinary role in the Underground Railroad. At just eight years old, Theodore begins helping his family guide escaped slaves to safety, risking everything in a world where even offering help could lead to imprisonment.
Through dark forests, hidden paths, and secret shelter at the family mill, Theodore becomes a brave link in a dangerous chain of hope. As bounty hunters close in and danger lurks at every turn, his determination and belief in equality shine through.
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“I couldn’t stop thinking about one detail: he was eight years old. Eight.”
