Title: MOSES: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom

Author: Weatherford, Carole Boston

Illustrator: Nelson, Kadir

Publisher and Date: Hyperion Books for Children, 2006

Genre: Picture Book, Multicultural, Historical Fiction

Age Range: 2nd grade and up

2006 Caldecott Honor Book

2006 Coretta Scott King Award Winner

Summary:

This book tells the amazing story of Harriet Tubman and her journey to freedom. Harriet Tubman was born into slavery, but later in her life she felt God's call for her to escape. She heeded His call and trusted Him for every part of her journey. She finally made it Philadelphia after a long hard journey. She used her time there to learn about the Underground Railroad and to help runaway slaves. She was happy to be free, but she still felt a burden for her enslaved family and friends. She felt God calling her to be a "MOSES" for her people. Harriet Tubman agreed and made nineteen trips back and forth from the North to the South rescuing slaves and through it all she gave glory to God.

Response:

I LOVED this book! Every time I read a story about slavery, it saddens and amazes. Harriet Tubman was such an amazing person. She had a strong faith in God and He helped her to do things that many people thought were impossible. This book absolutely captivated me. The story and the illustrations are so powerful. I thought it was really neat that author used three different types of text throughout the story; she used one for the narrator, one for Harriet, and one for God. When God spoke the text was large and seemed to float across the page. I think this was a great touch, because God was her refuge, her bigger than life protector, who she could not see but who she felt was with her every step of her journey.

The words of the story were powerful themselves but the illustrations added intensity to the book. The reader could see, feel, hear, and touch everything that Harriet Tubman experienced through these illustrations. The illustrations were beautifully painted double page spreads that seemed endless. The words and the illustrations meshed so perfectly together. One of my favorite pictures in the book is the on the last page of the book. The picture is simply of Harriet Tubman with a bright blue background. She looks so content and strong; the text simply reads, "Well done, Moses, well done." Harriet lived her life with courage and faith that was both astounding and inspiring. The amazing story and the breathtaking illustrations combine to make this book worthy of many honors.

Teaching Ideas:

This book is a great introduction to the topic of slavery. Not only does it tell the amazing story of Harriet Tubman but also includes other important aspects of slave culture with songs such as "swing low sweet chariot" and the mention of the Underground Railroad. This book could be combined with other great books about slavery such as picture books, novels, and non fiction books. Some great examples of these books are Sweet Clara and the Freedom Quilt, The Slave Dancer, and One More River to Cross: An African American Photograph Album. These great books could be used along with Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom to compare and contrast the stories and mediums used to tell the stories.