“Across the Wide River plunges young readers into the life and death drama of the pre-Civil War Underground Railroad, as seen through the eyes of Lowry Rankin, son of abolitionist Presbyterian minister John Rankin of Ripley, Ohio. His harrowing adventures bring alive to today's youth America's struggle between slavery and freedom in the 19th century.” —Peter Marshall, author of The Light and the Glory Son of Catherine Marshall, author of Christy “This novel captures the excitement of the period, its dangers, and moral dilemmas. There is romance and adventure. And, essential to the traditions of the Rankin family, there is witness to the role of God in mankind’s affairs, both great and small.”   —James B. Powers, 5th generation Rankin descendant “Though this is considered fiction, it is more like truth wrapped in fiction elements. The story is true and told in a way that draws the reader into the struggle for freedom, the role of the Underground Railroad and one family on that journey. The story follows the early life of a very real historical person, Lowry Rankin, his growth into becoming a part of his parent’s mission to rescue slaves and send them north. It is a story of incredible courage and endurance, of struggle and conscience. This is a story, a real story that we must not forget, told with compassion and a feel for the time and the people. This should be in every school and library." --Carolyn Scheidies http://pages.ivillage.com/crscheidies/bookreviews/id9.html “A magnificently flowing story, based on the actual history of the Rankin family, Across the Wide River enlightens the reader about an important time in our nation’s history, while capturing the spirit that resides within rural culture.” --Jill Eisnaugle, Book Review Café http://www.bookreviewcafe.com/across-the-wide-river.php “ACROSS THE WIDE RIVER is a book worth reading. Though slavery is simply something that happened in America's past, it continues to exist in other parts of the world. Stephanie Reed writes of slavery's shame and its violence to the human body and spirit. I recommend ACROSS THE WIDE RIVER by Stephanie Reed. Her writing is clear and pulls the reader on from beginning to end. One of Reed's characters ponders and learns the truth of the words, "know the truth and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:32) What might happen if we learn the truth of those words?” - YA Book review by Dell Smith Klein http://www.dancingword.net/acrossthewideriverreview.htm KaaVonia Hinton (KLIATT Review, March 2005 (Vol. 39, No. 2)) “The local and national historical references mentioned throughout the novel make this book a great supplementary text for social studies classes. http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0PBX/is_2_39/ai_n13456476/ “Well-researched and loaded with history, this is an excellent selection for church libraries, for units on slavery in Christian schools, and for home-schooled teens ages 12 and up. Perhaps a welcomed sequel will follow.” --Berdine Mumper, Librarian, Christ the King Lutheran Church, Delafield, WI Ohioana Quarterly, Summer 2005 issue, p. 247 “What happens to the (Rankin) family in Ohio is the story of life between slaveholders and abolitionists. It is an adventure that captures the era…Young readers will learn about the bravery of the abolitionists and their devotion to their task. Across the Wide River is a wonderful story about brave people and their belief in God and in freedom for all people.” - Barbara Maslekoff “Although written for teens, Across the Wide River provides good reading for adults, too. Looking at a part of our history we’re not proud of, it shows just how much God can accomplish through the lives of ordinary people.”   -- Reviewed by: Beverly M. Bixler, First Presbyterian Church, Ashland, Ohio Testimonies—2005 (NTAIB) “Though this work is fiction, it is based on a family living in the pre-Civil War days in the South. It gives insight, not just in the cruelty of slavery, but into the daily struggles of those who try to help escaped slaves find freedom and safety. You’ll see the impact that this lifestyle had on their families. It is written for young readers, but is interesting for adult readers. -- Ruth Paige http://www.ntaibc.org/docs/NTA-Test 105.pdf “The book follows Lowry from a young boy until his years in Lane Seminary, where he had a Professor Stowe, married to one Harriet Beecher Stowe. Does that name ring a bell? In the process of the book, Lowry examines his faith, especially of a God who would allow slavery. As Abolitionists were usually people of faith, it is in place that faith plays a part in this novel. That Lowry is allowed to have doubts and search for his answers is refreshing given that his father was a pastor. How often do we not have certain expectations of a pastor’s children? This novel is a vibrant story about a dark period in American history. - John L. Hoh, Jr., Bookideas.com http://bookideas.com/reviews/index.cfm?fuseaction=displayReview&id=3060