1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Pearsall, Shelley. 2002. TROUBLE DON’T LAST. New York, New York. Alfred A. Knopf Publishers, Inc. ISBN 0-375-81490-6.

2. PLOT SUMMARY
Eleven-year-old Samuel was born into slavery, on Master Hackler’s Kentucky farm. When Samuel was a small child on the Hackler's plantation, his mother was sold. Thereafter, Harrison and Lilly raised Samuel. Samuel was raised in the kitchen of the big house by Lilly, the master’s cook. This story is told through the narrative voice of Samuel. This novel begins with
Samuel in trouble. Samuel breaks a plate in the presence of the Hackler's. Samuel states, “After I had broken the china plate, Master Hackler’s loud, redheaded wife, Miz Catherine, had flung her table fork at me. ‘You aren’t worth the price of a broken plate, you know that?’ she hollered, and sent one of the silver forks flying. Good thing I had sense enough not to duck my head down, so it hit right where she was aiming, square on my chin. Even though it stung all the way up my ear, I didn’t make a face. I was half-proud of myself for that. ‘You pick up every little piece.’ Miz Catherine had snapped, pointing at the floor. ‘Every single piece with those worthless, black fingers of your, and I’ll decide what to do about your carelessness.’” For Samuel’s punishment, Master Hackler throws Samuel's blankets outside the kitchen door and informs Lilly that Samuel can not sleep near the hearth for the night. After this incident, Harrison remembers his past and realizes that this is only the beginning of poor Samuel’s troubles. Harrison’s back is laced with scars from a lifetime of cowhide lashings he received from Master Hackler's whip. Harrison tells Samuel to “sleep with your top eye open tonight.” This begins the saga of two runaway slaves known as Harrison and Samuel. This story is action-packed and filled with close calls and thrilling quests for two fugitive slaves trying to run to a life of freedom in Canada.
As noted by Shelly Pearsall, during their flight, Harrison and Samuel are aided by interesting characters, most of which are based on real life people. This novel is thrilling, gripping, and jam-packed with terrific plot twists and well-rounded characters. TROUBLE DON’T LAST is a fantastic novel for young readers.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Shelly Pearsall is a former schoolteacher and historian. Pearsall received the Scott O’Dell Award for Historical Fiction for TROUBLE DON’T LAST. In this novel, there is a clear distinction between fact and theory. The layout of TROUBLE DON’T LAST is logical and coherent. The text is sequential and reference aids such as a table of content, subheadings,
a map of Samuel and Harrison’s Journey of 1859, and a very informative section entitled “Author’s Notes” are included in this fabulous historical novel. The book’s cover is inviting and attractive. Pearsall’s writing is engaging and interesting. She does not talk down to her readers.
The characters in TROUBLE DON’T LAST are Samuel, Harrison, Lilly, Miz Catherine, and Master Hackler. This story is set on a Kentucky Plantation farm in 1859, a year before the Civil War begins. In the section entitled "Author's Notes," Mrs. Pearsall states, “ I chose the southern Ohio and northern region for my setting since it had been very active area for the Underground Railroad. I selected the year 1859 because Congress passed a national law called the Fugitive Slave Act in 1850, which affected everyone involved in the Underground Railroad. Severe penalties such as heavy fines and jail time awaited anyone-white or black-who helped or harbored runaway slaves anywhere in the United States after 1850.” Pearsall states, “Most of the events and names used in this novel are real, but they come from many different sources. I discovered names like Ordee Lee and Ham and Eggs in old letters and records of the Underground Railroad. The character of Hetty Scott is based on a description I found in John Parker’s autobiography. The heart-wrenching tale of Ordee Lee saving the locks of hair of his family comes from a salve’s actual account.”
TROUBLE DON’T LAST is an excellent read aloud for students in fifth grade and above. My son read this book in one afternoon. He could not put this wonderful book down and said that this is the best book he has ever read! After reading TROUBLE DON’T LAST, my son was on his computer researching the Underground Railroad and the Fugitive Slave Act. This novel encourages critical thinking and makes the reader want to learn more about slavery.


4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
Starred review in PUBLISHERS WEEKLY: “This memorable portrayal . . . proves gripping from beginning to end.”
Starred review in BOOKLIST: “A thrilling escape story, right until the last chapter.”
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: “Strong characters and an innovative, suspenseful plot distinguish Pearsall’s first novel . . . A compelling story.”
KIRKUS REVIEWS: “One of the best Underground Railroad narratives in recent years . . . This succeeds as a suspenseful historical adventure.”
TEACHER MAGAZINE: “Pearsall’s heartbreaking, yet hopeful story provides a fine supplement to lessons on slavery.”

5. CONNECTIONS
*In TROUBLE DON”T LAST, Samuel has a set of clay marbles until Miz Catherine took them away. Allow students to make a set of clay marbles that Samuel might have made while in Canada. Students are to create designs that Samuel may have utilized that represent freedom.
*Allow students to write about their favorite part of the book and illustrate their creative writing story using visual elements and symbols from TROUBLE DON’T LAST.
*Allow students to read other books set during slavery. Compare and contrast the lives of these characters in a class book.
*Other stories about slavery:
Paulsen, Gary. NIGHTJOHN. ISBN 0440219361
Gorrell, Gena K. NORTH STAR TO FREEDOM: THE STORY OF THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD. ISBN 0385323190
Carbone, Elisa. STEALING FREEDOM. ISBN 0440417074