Harriet Tubman and the Freedom Train [Paperback]

Sharon Gayle (Author), Felicia Marshall (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 2003 | Age Level: 6 and up | Series: Stories of Famous Americans

Ready-to-Read

Level 3

Reading Proficiently

• Rich vocabulary

• More-challenging stories

• Longer chapters

Harriet Tubman was born a slave. But she always knew that someday she would be free. After realizing her dream Harriet decided she had to help others find freedom too. So she became a guide on the Underground Railroad. Little did this courageous woman know just how many people she would help.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 2-4-An engaging but disconcerting introduction to this woman's life. The copyright page states that "This book is a work of fiction. Any references to historical events, real people, or real locales are used fictitiously." Yet the book concludes with a chronology of Tubman's life. Children are sure to be very confused as to what's true and what isn't. The use of dialogue and feelings offer appropriate reflections of the characters and their times, such as: "Minty left her friend's house with fear in her heart." Young readers will appreciate the simple sentences in large font, as well as Marshall's acrylic illustrations rendered in dusky tones that are filled with glimmers of light and flowing shadows. The organization is a bit confusing, as the book begins: "Harriet Tubman often sang when she was lonely or scared. This time Harriet was not scared. Harriet was free!" Yet the chapter continues with a description of her birth into slavery, her work as a house slave and then a field slave, and her injury from a blow to the head with an iron bar, with no further mention of freedom until later in the book. Subsequent chapters are more clearly written, noting Minty's marriage to John Tubman, the dangers of her initial journey on the Underground Railroad, and her courageous work as a conductor. The scope of this book is similar to that of David A. Adler's A Picture Book of Harriet Tubman (Holiday, 1992). Libraries may consider this an additional purchase for recreational reading, but it is unacceptable for reports.
Laura Scott, Farmington Community Library, MI
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

Gr. 1-3. With direct dramatic words and handsome realistic acrylic pictures in shades of brown, this chapter book in the Ready-To-Read Stories of Famous Americans series introduces the great Underground Railroad leader. More than half the book is about her childhood, her life as a slave, and her own escape, and readers will be stimulated to seek out more about her courageous adult role as conductor of more than 15 trips and rescuer of more than 300 slaves. One amazing double-page spread describes her daring rescue of 11 people who evade the bloodhounds by hiding in a huge pile of garbage. Just one small problem: occasionally the words are printed over the colored pictures, making the print hard to read--especially for new readers. Hazel Rochman
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 6 and up
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Simon Spotlight (January 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0689854803
• ISBN-13: 978-0689854804
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6.4 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 0.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #590,211 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #67 in Books > Children's Books > Biographies > Social Activists

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This One's Pretty Good!, December 8, 2004

By 

Lynn Ellingwood "The ESOL Teacher" (Webster, NY United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Harriet Tubman and the Freedom Train (Paperback)

I really enjoyed the story and thought it was told well. No glaring errors that I'm aware of. Students will enjoy this book and learn something.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Moses, November 15, 2011

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Harriet Tubman and the Freedom Train (Paperback)

I knew that Harriet Tubman saved slaves, but the book presents some interesting facts about her life. For example, her parents named her Minty. Also, I never knew that she had been married. In addition, I would never have thought her husband did want her to run away. Moreover, the book provides a nice overview of her life and slavery. Many kids will be able imagine trying to escape slavery as they read the pages.