Across the Wide River & The Light Across the River (by Stephanie Reed)

A well written book penned for young people should also be able to be enjoyed by adults. This is true of the two books Stephanie Reed has written about the Rankin family. Stephanie gives us a front row seat view of the Underground Railroad through the eyes of two of the Rankin children, first Lowry and later Johnny.

In 1827 Reverend John Rankin built the family home on a high hilltop in the small town of Ripley, Ohio, overlooking the Ohio River. From this vantage point a lamp in the window could clearly be seen by slaves on the Kentucky side of the river. That lamp was the guiding light for thousands crossing the Ohio River on their way to Canada and freedom during the decades leading up to the Civil War. Soon transporting runaway slaves dictated nearly every aspect of young Lowry’s life. Would the burden prove too much for him to shoulder?

The sequel picks up where the first book left off. Lowry’s younger brothers and sisters helped with the “family business” as they grew older. The secret proved too much for one younger brother. Would Johnny’s indiscretion put the family in jeopardy?

For today’s blog I have the privilege to share an interview, through the convenience of email, I had with Stephanie. Both of these delightful books can be purchased through amazon.com.

Q. When did you start writing?

A. I’ve always liked to write. When I was a girl, I liked to write poems with complicated rhyme schemes. I enjoyed writing assignments in school, too. But I didn’t start writing books until my two kids were in high school and middle school. That was the year 2000, as a matter of fact, when I was forty.

Q. Have you always enjoyed history?

A. Yes. If I knew the characters in a book were real people, the story took on new meaning. I love to visit the settings for books. I also like to visit author’s homes--I have a dream trip all mapped out…in Wisconsin.

Q. Why junior historical fiction?

A. Put me in a room with people of all ages, and I will seek out the company of kids first. Talking with kids is so much fun, and they are very genuine! So that’s the junior part. For the historical part, the next age group I gravitate to is grandparents. I can learn from people who were born before me. They have experienced so much, and they are eager to share. Last of all, I would hang out with my peers—inferiority complex. Caveat: writers my own age—I can identify with them. As for why fiction, well, after a day in school, I think kids need to dream.

Q. Writing historical fiction must take a lot of research. Where do you begin?

A. I start on the Internet. I used to start at libraries, but now most have their card catalogues online. I never use Wikipedia, though. Research is exciting; I used to work in a library. I know how to track down a fact I need, like the addresses of descendants of the Rankins. They were the real-life Underground Railroad family in my books, Across the Wide River and The Light Across the River.

Q. How do you decide where history ends and fiction begins?

A. This is such an important question. I’m still learning! It’s awfully tempting to include every fascinating fact that I dig up, but I must remember that I am not writing a text book. On the other hand, I want to stay true to the Rankin family. I don’t want to make them do anything out of character, and that’s difficult, since I’ve never met them—the youngest Rankin son passed away in 1914 (there’s one of those fascinating facts), and I’m not quite that old!

Q. How does your faith influence your writing?

A. This is an excellent follow-up to your last question. I prayed about every aspect of my work. Even though I’ve never met the Rankins, God knew them. I don’t say that He told me everything the Rankins said or did, but He did give me plausible ideas. He also kept my spirits up with Mark 9:23: If you can believe, all things are possible for him who believes. Writing is hard, and being published is extremely hard. I needed the Lord’s help every step of the way. I decided early on that I wanted to use my writing to glorify the Lord and what He has done.

Q. Are you working on any other books?

A. Yes, I’m working on book three in my Rankin family trilogy. I’ve also completed a chapter book for younger readers based on a Rankin family story, and this is supposed to start another series. So that’s two. After that, I hope to write a story about Ohio’s Native Americans and their faith in God.

Q. Do you have any favorite books/authors?

A. Oh, yes! Too many to name, but remember that Wisconsin author home tour? I’d like to visit the homes of Laura Ingalls Wilder (Little House in the Big Woods), Carol Ryrie Brink (Caddie Woodlawn), and Sterling North (Rascal). I also love Mark Twain (Tom Sawyer), so maybe I could get my husband to take a little detour through Missouri.

If you’d like to learn more about Stephanie Reed's books or just chat you can visit her blog at http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Stef