This poetic book is a resounding tribute to Tubman's strength, humility, and devotion. With proper reverence, Weatherford and Nelson do justice to the woman who, long ago, earned over and over the name Moses.
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Editorial Reviews
From School Library Journal
Starred Review. Grade 2-5–Tubman's religious faith drives this handsome, poetic account of her escape to freedom and role in the Underground Railroad. The story begins with Tubman addressing God on a summer night as she is about to be sold south from the Maryland plantation where she and her husband live: I am Your child, Lord; yet Master owns me,/drives me like a mule. In resounding bold text, God tells her He means for her to be free. 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. Shifting perspectives and subtle details, such as shadowy forest animals guarding her while she sleeps, underscore the narrative's spirituality. Whether filled with apprehension, determination, or serenity, Tubman's beautifully furrowed face is expressive and entrancing. A foreword briefly explains the practice of slavery and an appended note outlines Tubman's life. The words and pictures create a potent sense of the harsh life of slavery, the fearsome escape, and one woman's unwavering belief in God.–Margaret Bush, Simmons College, Boston
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
From 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"). God cradles Tubman and talks with her; his words (printed in block capitals) both inspire her and tell her what to do ("SHED YOUR SHOES; WADE IN THE WATER TO TRICK THE DOGS"). Nelson's stirring, beautiful artwork makes clear the terror and exhaustion Tubman felt during her own escape and also during her brave rescue of others. There's no romanticism: the pictures are dark, dramatic, and deeply colored--whether showing the desperate young fugitive "crouched for days in a potato hole" or the tough middle-aged leader frowning at the band of runaways she's trying to help. The full-page portrait of a contemplative Tubman turning to God to help her guide her people is especially striking. Hazel Rochman
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
20 of 20 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
There will never be enough books about Harriet Tubman and the journey she took to free slaves from the South. MOSES: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom by Carole Boston Weatherford brings to light Black history we can neither forget nor allow our children to forget.
The historical story of Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad is classic. The illustrator, Kadir Nelson, enhanced the words and actions that connect you along with the spiritual inspiration that kept Harriet moving, hiding and finally reaching freedom in Philadelphia. God told Harriet this was just the beginning, she was going to go back and free others, which came to pass with the underground railroad that kept the slaves safe while traveling to freedom.
This book is a must for all children to have in their libraries. The book is large in size and bold in color, portraying Harriet as a powerful, yet humble woman doing God's will. MOSES will keep any young child's attention from the beginning to the very last page. I applaud the author and illustrator for letting the journey continue and keeping the light shining so we will always keep our children in touch with Black history and teach them about the people who were instrumental in getting us to where we are today.
Reviewed by Kalaani
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers
The historical story of Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad is classic. The illustrator, Kadir Nelson, enhanced the words and actions that connect you along with the spiritual inspiration that kept Harriet moving, hiding and finally reaching freedom in Philadelphia. God told Harriet this was just the beginning, she was going to go back and free others, which came to pass with the underground railroad that kept the slaves safe while traveling to freedom.
This book is a must for all children to have in their libraries. The book is large in size and bold in color, portraying Harriet as a powerful, yet humble woman doing God's will. MOSES will keep any young child's attention from the beginning to the very last page. I applaud the author and illustrator for letting the journey continue and keeping the light shining so we will always keep our children in touch with Black history and teach them about the people who were instrumental in getting us to where we are today.
Reviewed by Kalaani
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful
By HenderHouse
Format:Hardcover
Beautiful and emotionally engaging, the images truly support and reinforce the concepts in the text. Fear and fatigue are evident when Harriet Tubman "crouches for days in a potato hole [and] dreams she is buried alive" as is her determination to be strong and continue her fight another day. And the relief and release that comes to her when she finally finds herself on "free soil" in Philadelphia. The illustrations are of a real person, not caricature. Beautiful use of typography as well creates almost a call-and-response feel to some of the text. My favorite book of the year.
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
A Kid's Review
Format:Hardcover
When Harriet Tubman led her people to freedom. I disagree, she started to lead the WHOLE WORLD to freedom. This book is excellent for helping children understand slavery, the underground railroad, and what Harriet Tubman did. I loved ths book and thought that it that it should have won the actual Caldecott award, although I am glad it won the Caldecott honor.
This book is about how Harriet Tubman escaped and helped other people escape slavery. It is written beautifully and does not bend the truth. But, the illustrations add to the wonderful story! I highly reccomend this book!
This book is about how Harriet Tubman escaped and helped other people escape slavery. It is written beautifully and does not bend the truth. But, the illustrations add to the wonderful story! I highly reccomend this book!
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Let freedom ring
There will never be enough books about Harriet Tubman and the journey she took to free slaves from the South. Read more
Published 13 days ago by chastity
5.0 out of 5 stars
an adventure begins with a risk
This is a wonderful and inspiring story of how Harriet Tubman led her people to freedom. This story is wonderfully written, it almost sounds poetic at times. Read more
Published 17 days ago by Bianca Vargas
5.0 out of 5 stars
Let My People Go
In this story we travel from the south where the land is dark with slavery to Philadelphia where there are beautiful bright and vibrant colors that come from freedom. Read more
Published 2 months ago by LeighBee
5.0 out of 5 stars
Moses
This book is so cool I read this myself and enjoy it as much as my granddaughter!!This is such a great book
Published 4 months ago by valieree macGlaun
5.0 out of 5 stars
A MUST share!!!
There is so much that can be said about this book. The words and the colors that are in the book express more then what the author is trying to say. The life of H. Read more
Published 5 months ago by aapaez08
5.0 out of 5 stars
Beautifully written and illustrated.
I applaud the written words and illustrations of this book. Wetherford uses inspiring and rejuvenating words in this book. Read more
Published 5 months ago by K. M. Johnson
5.0 out of 5 stars
I was moved to tears
What an awesome and moving book. By the time Harriet is on free soil and accepts God's call to return for others, I had tears running down my face. Read more
Published 8 months ago by A. Thomas
5.0 out of 5 stars
Appropriate
I want to go back to my childhood with this book. When I read children's books this great, with illustrations so grand, I wonder how I grew up without them. Read more
Published 11 months ago by Lizzie Lin
5.0 out of 5 stars
Review by Patricia's Particularity
I don't think I have ever come across a more gorgeous Children's Book ever. Not only are you given a rare gift from the amazing and talented Kadir Nelson, with his gorgeous... Read more
Published 15 months ago by Patricia Leppla
5.0 out of 5 stars
Moses Video Book Review
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Published 19 months ago by lovelylacey
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