Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom (Caldecott Honor Book) (Hardcover)

~ (Author), Kadir Nelson (Illustrator)

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.

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

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Hardcover: 48 pages
• Publisher: Hyperion Book CH (August 8, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786851759
• ISBN-13: 978-0786851751
• Product Dimensions: 11.6 x 10.9 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #123,725 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Freedom, February 9, 2007

By	The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers (RAWSISTAZ.com and BlackBookReviews.net) - See all my reviews

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

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I wish there were more stars!, February 15, 2007

By	HenderHouse (Libertyville, IL) - See all my reviews

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.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Moses Love This Book!, January 24, 2007

A Kid's Review

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!