Customer Reviews

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

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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.

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.

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.

A story-teller par excellence, Wendy Lawton transports the reader into the chilhood world of Harriet Tubman. Gripping narrative, fast paced action, and dialogue which rings true without overuse of dialect build images the reader can see, hear and feel.

Children and adults find this book a treasure. It's an excellent resource for home-school families: incorporating history, literature and vocabulary in a fun and painless format. The glossary at the back provides definitions for unfamiliar words, and adds fun to the chore of spelling lessons! Children enjoy this book--even if it's assigned reading.

It's a great addition to home and church libaries as well. It's difficult to find historical fiction for children that's entertaining as well as educational. This book fills the bill perfectly.

Even though I'm well beyond the target age group, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I gave my niece a copy for her birthday--it makes an excellent gift!

No wonder Courage to Run is receiving rave reviews from everyone.
Wendy Lawton is a master storyteller, bar none. Usually, dialect distracts me in the written word, but not with this story. Wendy's ability to weave the dialect, colorful description
and emotion into this book kept me turning the pages. It was obvious that the author did tons of research to bring Minty (Harriet Tubman) to life and make the reader care so much about her. This is a book that will certainly win awards and acclaim.

This is a very engrossing book and one I could not put down until I finished it.

I normally do not like to read any book written in dialect. In fact, I will quite often go out of my way NOT to read them. I find they tend to slow down the read for me because I mentally try to sound out the dialect as I read. Very distracting.

But Wendy has done a superb job with Minty, and she managed to pull me in right at the start.

I think Harriet Tubman has been an inspiration to nearly everyone, regardless of race, because of her courageous actions once she decided "this is what I have to do!" and I am no exception. To see her story through the eyes of her youth is very enlightening...and heart-breaking.

Well written and well researched. A great read.

You may know who Harriet Tubman was, and what she did as an adult in helping other slaves, like herself. While reading this book, you'll find out what her childhood was like too, and how it formed her life into what she became.

Growing up, young Harriet's name was Araminta. (This was news to me.) Through the book, she's usually called Minty by her family & friends.

"Minty" lives in the servant's quarter on the Brodas Plantation, and works hard every single day of her life. She's constantly surrounded by her loving family and close-knit friends. Hymns are always being sung, while the slaves went about their daily work. Some of these songs are exactly what gives Minty the courage to face each new day.

"Go down, Moses.
Way down in Egypt-land.
Tell ol' Pharoh
To let My people go."

Harriet Tubman went through many trials as a child. For the most part, the slaves on the Brodas Plantation were treated fair enough, although sometimes they would receive harsh punishments. However when Minty was hired out as a maid to other people, she experienced daily thrashings. At the times when she was a hired maid, she was lonely and missed being with her family. She wanted to help others escape the heartache of her own experiences. Little did she know, that as she strengthened herself in the Lord, she was preparing to save other slaves' lives, and not just herself. Slowly, her courage grew.

Children and adults alike would benefit from reading "Courage to Run". I liked it very much, and it is my favorite book about Harriet Tubman. At any moment, I feel like I could start reading it again!
This book is a part of the "Daughters of the Faith Series".

Courage to Run is a story based on the life of Harriet Tubman, a slave who grows up to lead over 300 slaves out of slavery despite the risk of getting caught. This book is so exciting it's hard to put it down. By Suzanne Alvernaz, Age 12

This was an excellent book. I found it most fascinating about Harriet Tubman. She was truly a great woman, far above her age and time. Great reading for anyone who is learning more about the underground railroad!!

I don't remember seeing or reading a book on Harriet Tubman as a child. Wendy Lawton's account of Harriet Tubman's childhood life was very realistic to me. I could visualize the deplorable conditions of the slave quarters as well as the less than nice slave owners. The book is easy reading and peeked my interest right from the start. Well worth the reading.