Courage to Run: A Story Based on the Life of Harriet Tubman (Daughters of the Faith Series) [Paperback]

Wendy G. Lawton (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 2002 | Age Level: 9 and up | Grade Level: 4 and up | Series: Daughters of the Faith Series

Harriet Tubman was born a slave on a Maryland plantation in the 1800's. She trusts in God, but her faith is tested at every turn. Should she obey her masters or listen to her conscience' This story from Harriet's childhood is a record of courage. Even more, it's the story of God's faithfulness as He prepares her for her adult calling to lead more than 300 people out of slavery through the Underground Railroad.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Fills a noticeable gap in the tween fiction category... portrays [character] who can be a role model for youth today. -- Christian Retailing, May 20, 2002, Reviewed by Karen Schmidt

Solidly researched and written, this book is highly recommended for mid-elementary and middle-school-aged readers. -- CBA Marketplace, May 2002, Reviewed by Liz Duckworth

From the Author

Harriet Tubman is born into slavery on a plantation in Tidewater Maryland. More than anything, she yearns for freedom. Acknowledged as one of America’s greatest heroes, it is Harriet’s vibrant faith in God that prepares her to become a legendary conductor of the Underground Railroad.

Though the life work of Harriet Tubman is well known, Courage to Run is the story of her childhood from ages 6 to 13, when she already hates slavery and yearns for freedom. Harriet worries about whether she'll find the courage to run if the time comes to run, or the strength to hold firm if she needs to stay the course. And how will she know the difference?

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Moody Publishers; New Edition edition (April 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0802440983
• ISBN-13: 978-0802440983
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 5.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #431,236 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A prayer who didn't cease to pray, March 30, 2003

By 

Claire (Falmouth, KY USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Courage to Run: A Story Based on the Life of Harriet Tubman (Daughters of the Faith Series) (Paperback)

Harriet Tubman didn't just BECOME the major conductor of the Underground Railroad; she paid for that honor with pain and blood; however, through it all, her faith remained and her constant prayer carried her through.

Tubman (Minty, as she was called as a child) helps with the children on the plantation when she is only a child herself, but when the master's plantation hits harder times, she and others find themselves being "hired out" to help the master make ends meet. Minty is torn from her family and is taken to places where she has no protection from cruelty and no one to turn to other than to God. During this time, she realizes the dream of freedom, and she often remembers the story of Moses's call to lead the people out of Egypt.

Lawton's book brings along new insights about a woman with whom most of us are familiar. Tubman's courage is all the more admirable as we read about her childhood because, even in the face of unfair accusations, she does not become bitter; instead, she allows the unfairness she faces to make her stronger in order that she can be used more effectively by God.

The details are vivid; the story is riveting.

Courage to Run is complete with a glossary that details the language of the area and the times and an epilogue that has a short bibliography for those who are interested in finding out more about Harriet Tubman.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Overcoming Overwhelming Obstacles, April 20, 2002

By 

Amy Givler (Monroe, LA USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Courage to Run: A Story Based on the Life of Harriet Tubman (Daughters of the Faith Series) (Paperback)

I've always been fascinated with every aspect of Harriet Tubman's life, but especially her childhood. How could someone with such spunk and independence endure her years as a slave? Wendy Lawton answers that question, and many more. She makes Harriet three-dimensional, and her faith in God fresh and understandable. Other "background" people of Harriet's life are richly described also--her parents, fellow-slave Annie, and the two unhappy women who hired her temporarily from her owner. Anyone who wants to know about Harriet Tubman should start with this book.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An inspiring book written with great insight and talent, May 26, 2002

By 

Carmen Leal (Kailua, HI USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Courage to Run: A Story Based on the Life of Harriet Tubman (Daughters of the Faith Series) (Paperback)

It's hard to believe that Wendy Lawton had not published dozens of books before Courage to Run. Her attention to research and detail, coupled with her easy-to-read style, kept me turning the pages until the book was done. I hope this is the first of many books because we need books that introduce our children, and re-introduce adults, to historical figures of faith.

Wendy Lawton was courageous to write a book using so much dialect, because that is more difficult than most people realize. She did a skillful job of bringing her characters to life with not only dialect, but with word choices and flow. All slave owners weren't on the same economic or social level, and Wendy did a wonderful job of allowing me to know who was talking and more about their character. She did a great job of giving every person in the book their own voice and she painted vivid pictures.

With the richness of description, she masterfully made me feel "Minty's" pain and confusion and faith. We often think of our inspirational heros, and Harriet Tubman is certainly that, as being made from stronger stuff than we. In Courage To Run we see a young girl who doubts her courage but never her God. Harriet Tubman was courageous and her story is inspiring. Adults can learn as much, or maybe even more, than young people from this wonderful book.