MOSES: WHEN HARRIET TUBMAN LED HER PEOPLE TO FREEDOM

Written by Carole Boston Weatherford
Illustrated by Kadir Nelson
ISBN: 0-786-85175-9

Bibliography:
Weatherford, Carole Boston, and Kadir Nelson. 2006. Moses: when Harriet Tubman led her people to freedom. New York: Hyperion Books for Children.

Plot:
This story describes Harriet Tubman’s courageous journey to freedom. Dialogue with God provides Harriet with strength along the way to keep moving and eventually propels her to lead hundreds of other slaves to freedom.

Analysis:
This is a powerful story of faith and triumph. The compelling illustrations reflect both fear and courage. The use of darkness and light in the illustrations help the reader to sense both the danger and the godly force that seems to guide and protect Harriet throughout her dangerous journey. Throughout the book Harriet chats with God to find strength and courage. Words from God comfort her and flow across the pages in bold text often spoken to her through nature. The images of Harriet reflect inner conflict as she carefully listens to God’s voice to find her way. This story alludes to the biblical story of Moses through images of Harriet with a staff and in the ending when God says to her, “Well done, Moses, well done.”

Review Excerpts:
School Library Journal: "Tubman's religious faith drives this handsome, poetic account of her escape to freedom and role in the Underground Railroad. The story is sketched between passages of prayerful dialogue that keep Tubman from giving up and eventually call upon her to be "the Moses of [her] people." Deep scenes of night fill many double pages as the dramatic paintings follow her tortuous journey, arrival in Philadelphia, and later trip to guide others."

Booklist: “The full-page portrait of a contemplative Tubman turning to God to help her guide her people is especially striking.”

Connections:
*Other books about Harriet Tubman:
Adler, David. A Picture Book of Harriet Tubman. ISBN 9780823409260
Skelton, Renee. Harriet Tubman: A Woman of Courage. ISBN 9780060576080
Turner, Glenette Tilley. An Apple for Harriet Tubman. ISBN 9780807503959

*Students can map Harriet’s journey to freedom.

*Students can create a timeline of Harriet Tubman’s life.