It's 1947, and twelve-year-old Clyde Thomason is proud to have an older brother who guards the Freedom Train--a train that is traveling to all forty-eight states carrying the country's most important documents, including the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights.

Clyde hasn't told his parents he won't perform the Freedom Pledge because of stage fright, nor has he mentioned his confusing friendship with a boy of color. So when the townspeople threaten William's family, Clyde has a choice to make: Will he keep quiet, or stand up for real freedom?

Ideal for classrooms, Freedom Train contains historical photos of the Freedom Train and its guards, as well as an author's note that provides additional information about the history of the Freedom Train.