Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom

Picture Book Review
LS 5603.20/Spring 2010
S. Vardell

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Weatherford, Carole Boston. Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom. New York, New York: Hyperion Books for Children, 2006. ISBN  0786851759

2. PLOT SUMMARY
This beautifully crafted children's book acquaints the reader with the historical period from 1619 to 1865, when "Africans and their descendents were enslaved in colonial America and the United States" (Weatherford 2006). The book tells about Harriet Tubman's treacherous journey to claim her freedom.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Carole Boston Weatherford tells a well known story in a unique way by creating a sermon like cadence. Based on Harriet Tubman's historic story, the text, communicated by a narrator, contains a spiritual prayer or a conversation with God that is inserted throughout the text. This technique maximizes the impact of Harriet's journey and how she, and others who escaped, had only their faith to guide them. Harriet experienced life as an owned property, a free woman of Philadelphia and finally a conducter for the Underground Railroad. Ms. Weatherford's rendition is fresh and creative and timeless. Told in an inoffensive way, it would be an appropriate book to introduce this period of our nation's history to young readers.

Ms. Boston Weatherford's story, remarkably told, would not have as much impact without the illustrative talents of Kadir Nelson. The visual background created for Harriet's journey conveys the emotion of each stage of her journey. Colors are brilliantly used to illustrate the level of desperation and hope she has each step of the way. The "Harriet" figure is drawn with thoughtful movement and emotion. A light source is used to beautifully illuminate the character's face in the darkest of moments. Most of the book is set up in two page layouts. Mr. Nelson places his main character off center creating a strong composition that is balanced to Ms. Weatherford's text. Each illustration can easily stand on its own as a work of art.

4. AWARDS WON AND REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
Coretta Scott King Award Winner
Caldecott Honor Book

Starred Review in SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: "Tubman's religious faith drives this handsome, poetic account of her escape to freedom and role in the Underground Railroad."

Starred Review in BOOKLIST: "Weatherford's handsome picture book about Harriet Tubman focuses mostly on Tubman's religious inspiration, with echoes of spirituals ringing throughout the spare poetry about her struggle ("Lord, don't let nobody turn me 'round")."

5. CONNECTIONS
• Civil War/Slavery
ABES HONEST WORD'S: THE LIFE OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN by Gary Kelley
Civil War on PBS: http://www.pbs.org/civilwar/
Kidport Reference Library online:
http://www.kidport.com/RefLib/UsaHistory/CivilWar/Slavery.htm#Books
Stories of the Underground Railroad and other journeys to freedom
• Civil Rights and Integration
MARTIN'S BIG WORDS: THE LIFE OF DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING by Doreen Rappaport
MLK online: http://www.mlkonline.net/video.html
THE STORY OF RUBY BRIDGES by Robert Coles
THROUGH MY EYES by Ruby Bridges
Ruby Bridges Official Website: http://www.rubybridges.com/
THE OTHER SIDE OF THE FENCE by Jacqueline Woodson

Image credit: http://www.americancivilwar.com/