Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom -- by Carole B. Weatherford

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Weatherford, Carole Boston. 2006. Moses: When Harriet Tubman led her people to freedom. Ill. by Kadir Nelson. New York: Hyperion Books for Children. ISBN 0786851759

PLOT SUMMARY
Moses is a story about a woman named Harriet Tubman. Born into slavery in the early 19th century, she decides to run away and be free. She takes courage in her faith and relies on her wit and the kindness of strangers to get her to freedom. Once free, she dreams of bringing freedom to her loved ones. Harriet risks her life many times to courageously bring other slaves out of her home state of Maryland. Acting as a guide to free others, she is dubbed the “Moses” of her people.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Courage, perseverance and faith are the themes in this book. The full page and double page spread illustrations reflect these themes. Dark colors, shadow and light help to set the mood as somber and spiritual. Differing sizes of type and typeface are used to portray the words of Harriet’s guiding force, her God, those of her own thoughts and the story line. This is a book to share and discuss with others. While listed under juvenile literature, I would consider this book well suited for older children and young adults.

REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
Review from THE HORN BOOK: “Weatherford's poetic telling of Harriet Tubman's role as a conductor on the Underground Railroad combines with Nelson's larger-than-life illustrations to portray the spiritual life of the African American visionary.”

Starred review in SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: “The words and pictures create a potent sense of the harsh life of slavery, the fearsome escape, and one woman's unwavering belief in God.”

AWARDS
Coretta Scott King Award 2007
American Library Association Notable Books for Children 2007

CONNECTIONS

Children's response:
“This was a good story. I liked that the pictures were large and full of color. Harriet Tubman knew in her heart that slavery was wrong." - E. Garza, 10 years old.

Related Books
Adler, David A. A picture book of Harriet Tubman. ISBN 082341065X
Meyer, Linda D. Harriet Tubman: they called me Moses. ISBN 0943990327

Activities
*Discuss character themes: Courage and perseverance. Have students share experiences where they endured and overcame hardships.
*Encourage students to journal their responses to the illustrations and/or text.
*Read-Aloud during Black History Month. Discuss leadership and helping others.