Moses, When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom

Title: Moses, When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom
Author: Weatherford, Carole
Illustrator: Nelson, Kadir
Published by Hyperion Books for Children in 2006
Genre: Historical Fiction (Multicultural)
Age: K-4
Caldecott Honor, Coretta Scott King Medal and ALA Notable Children's Book

Moses is the story of Harriet Tubman and her journey to freedom through her belief in God. One day Harriet decided that she could no longer live as a slave and must escape for her freedom. In her decision to run she asked God for his help to make her strong and guide her way. Through out the book Harriet faces many obstacles while trying to reach her freedom. She must hide from people trying to catch runaways, travel at night through swamps, and decide who to trust and many more. Throughout these obstacles Harriet Tubman faces a lot of doubt but with the help of God on her side she finds the strength to prevail and reaches free soil in Philadelphia. Once in Philadelphia, Harriet found out about the Underground Railroad. She then made it her soul mission in life to free others from slavery. That's how she became the Moses of her time, by leading people to freedom on a path laid out by God.

Moses the story of Harriet Tubman was sad and heartwarming. The reality of slavery and what slaves went through is often forgotten throughout time as the events move further and further away in history. I have a great respect for this author and the story she choose to portray. I think she did it very tastefully for a children's book. I enjoyed how she incorporated God into the book and really showed the personal journey that Harriet Tubman was facing. I remember learning about Harriet as a young girl and all that she did with the Underground Railroad. However, a story I didn't hear was her journey to freedom only what she did after she was free. So, it was really nice to know what she went through before becoming the famous person that she is. I can relate to this book because many times throughout my life I am faced with obstacles and situations where I am just not sure what to do. I often fear am I making the wrong decision. However this book reminded me to always follow my heart and trust in God or whatever it is my faith lies in. It was a reminder to not hold myself back because of others who think they control my destiny.

This book could be used in the classroom in a variety of ways and in many different grades levels. I think that for younger grades it could be used as great introduction to black history and some of the famous people that we recognize today. I think that for younger grades I wouldn't do much with the book except for read it, discuss who she was and ask how slavery makes them feel. Things along those lines. As you start to get into 2-4 grades I think the book could be used for a lot more. I think you can really study with the students more in depth the trials and tribulations that slaves faced. In the book they often mention whipping and I think this would be a great way to focus on what whipping actually meant and how horrible it was to treat people in such a way. This book can used to further explore the lives of slaves and how they had no access to things to help them to learn to read and write. You can discuss the ownership that people had over slaves. On the upside this book is a great introduction to the Underground Railroad, it would be a great way for you to start that topic and to really have them explore and find out for themselves exactly what the Underground Railroad was. I also feel that with the older children you could begin to discuss the relationship between Harriet and God and all that goes with it. I however would be hesitant to introduce this issue with the younger grades. There is such a stigma now a days with religion in the classroom that I would no want to offend another student who knows nothing of God or Christianity. I don't think it is my job as a teacher to teach students those things so I would be careful.