Harriet Tubman

Andrea Davis Pinkney

Book - 2021

"Born enslaved, Harriet Tubman rose up to become one of the most successful, determined and well-known conductors of the Underground Railroad. With her family's love planted firmly in her heart, Harriet looked to the North Star for guidance--and its light helped guide her way out of slavery. Her courage made it possible for her to help others reach freedom too." -- Amazon.com.

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Subjects
Genres
Biographies
Illustrated works
Published
New York : Philomel [2021]
Language
English
Main Author
Andrea Davis Pinkney (author)
Other Authors
Gillian Flint (illustrator)
Item Description
"Inspired by She persisted by Chelsea Clinton & Alexandra Boiger."
"Based on the bestselling picture book series by Chelsea Clinton & Alexandra Boiger"--Cover.
Physical Description
59 pages : illustrations ; 21 cm
Audience
NC930L
Bibliography
Includes bibliographical references (pages 56-59).
ISBN
9780593115657
9780593115664
Contents unavailable.
Review by Booklist Review

This chapter-book biography of Harriet Tubman is notable due to the attention it pays to her early life, long before she became known as Moses, the legendary conductor of the Underground Railroad. Beginning at her birth, the story-like text moves along at a brisk pace, relating anecdotes that will appeal to young readers and help them better understand what it meant to be an enslaved person. Each episode serves as a building block that explains how Harriet developed the strength and perseverance that got her through many harrowing events, from rescuing other enslaved people to her stints as a nurse and a spy during the Civil War. The engaging language and manageable chapters are appealing, and the simple line drawings that appear every few pages add nuance. A final chapter, "How You Can Persist," offers suggested activities (help a lost person, create a legacy quilt). References and suggested websites guide readers to additional resources. Based on Chelsea Clinton's She Persisted picture-book series, this expanded version will be good for report writers and general curriculum support.Women in Focus: The 19th in 2020

From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review

In this chapter book series opener expanding upon Chelsea Clinton and Alexandra Boiger's She Persisted picture book series, Coretta Scott King Award winner Pinkney (The Red Pencil) presents an accessible portrait of American abolitionist, activist, nurse, and spy Harriet Tubman. In a brief introduction, Clinton explains that she "wanted all of us to see examples of persistence in the face of different challenges to help inspire us in our own lives"; Boiger provides cover art that embodies this sentiment. Pinkney then launches into how Harriet Tubman, born enslaved, persevered not only to gain her own freedom, but helped many others gain liberation through the Underground Railroad. Pinkney's six-chapter narrative spans from Tubman's birth until her later years as a spy for the Union Army, allowing readers an in-depth review of Tubman's life, while interior artist Flint delivers powerfully tender black-and-white mixed media images of Tubman's journey. With activities and resources "to honor Harriet Tubman's determination and bravery," an interactive final section titled "How You Can Persist" challenges young readers to think about how they too can persist beyond the pages of this luminous first installment. Final art not seen by PW. Ages 6--9. Agent: (for Pinkney) Rebecca Sherman, Writers House; (for Flint) James Burns, the Bright Agency. (Jan.)

(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review

Gr 2--4--Fast-paced, short chapters and a conversational tone make this entry in the "She Persisted" series an accessible and appealing choice for new readers. The text unpacks Harriet Tubman's motivations in an honest but child-appropriate manner. Perhaps most valuable is Pinkney's frank discussion of slavery. At the beginning of the book, the text explains, "Minty and her parents were considered property, in the same way people had objects like a tea kettle or a hammer that belonged to them. That's what slavery was--White people owning Black people." The text describes how people could be sold, just like objects, and the devastating impact that system had on enslaved families. Pinkney shows respect for her audience by using direct language, clearly demonstrating why Tubman made difficult and brave decisions throughout her life. Shorter than biographies in the "Who Was" and "I Am" series, this title relates incidents from different parts of Tubman's life to provide an overarching view of her accomplishments. Black-and-white illustrations further humanize Tubman. VERDICT This engaging biography is a quick but informative read and well-matched for the intended audience.--Lucinda Snyder Whitehurst, St. Christopher's Sch., Richmond, VA

(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review

A note from Chelsea Clinton (author of the picture-book series off which this new chapter-book series was spun) opens each title. Clinton describes partnering with a "sisterhood of writers" to bring readers "inspiring and empowering" chapter-book biographies: "I wanted young girls -- and young boys, too -- to see women who worked hard to live their dreams." Cline-Ransome and Pinkney present the stories of their subjects, Claudette Colvin and Harriet Tubman, respectively, through engaging and informative narratives that include detail beyond the actions for which they are most famous. Colvin, the teenage activist who defied bus segregation laws nine months before Rosa Parks, is shown grieving her sister's untimely death. Tubman, abolitionist and renowned conductor on the Underground Railroad, had an unhappy marriage. The inclusion of these challenges paints deeper portraits of the women and showcases how they persisted through multiple hardships (though Colvin's pregnancy as a teenager is not mentioned). In both books, the text succeeds in being simultaneously utilitarian and lyrical, with abundant figurative language and some direct quotations bringing scenes to life. The books build up context by addressing topics such as enslavement and Jim Crow laws so that readers have background knowledge to clearly comprehend Tubman's and Colvin's actions. Short chapters, wide margins, and emotive illustrations (seen as sketches) function to support middle-grade nonfiction chapter-book readers. Back matter includes references as well as a list of suggested actions labeled "How You Can Persist." Elisa Gall March/April 2021 p.108(c) Copyright 2021. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review

A loving tribute to Harriet Tubman kicks off a chapter-book series spinoff of the She Persisted books created by Chelsea Clinton and Alexandra Boiger. There are many books written about the incredible historical figure that is Harriet Tubman. This chapter-book biography humanizes "Minty" and brings her to life in ways many other texts for children do not. With language that reflects contemporary usage (enslaved people rather than slaves in most cases) and makes clear the brutality of the period, Pinkney introduces young readers to intimate details of Tubman's life, referring to her subject as Minty during her youth and Harriet after her marriage. Readers will meet Minty's loving parents, Old Rit and Old Ben, wince at the cruelty of the Brodess family and other people who trafficked enslaved people, and cheer for Harriet as she navigates the complexities and intersectionality of surviving as a Black woman in the pre-emancipation United States. Pinkney's powerful prose details Tubman's work on the Underground Railroad and, later, as a Union spy--and her fruitless advocacy for a pension afterward. Flint's grayscale artwork, done to emulate Boiger's style, gracefully accompanies the writing, creating a mood that explores the gravity of Tubman's life and deeds while still making her approachable. This is the first of 13 books, to be published one per month, that will bring the stories of monumental women to the forefront. Pinkney and Flint have created a standout series opener. (activity guide, further reading, websites) (Biography. 6-10) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Dear Reader, As Sally Ride and Marian Wright Edelman both powerfully said, "You can't be what you can't see." When Sally Ride said that, she meant that it was hard to dream of being an astronaut, like she was, or a doctor or an athlete or anything at all if you didn't see someone like you who already had lived that dream. She especially was talking about seeing women in jobs that historically were held by men. I wrote the first She Persisted and the books that came after it because I wanted young girls--and children of all genders--to see women who worked hard to live their dreams. And I wanted all of us to see examples of persistence in the face of different challenges to help inspire us in our own lives. I'm so thrilled now to partner with a sisterhood of writers to bring longer, more in-depth versions of these stories of women's persistence and achievement to readers. I hope you enjoy these chapter books as much as I do and find them inspiring and empowering. And remember: If anyone ever tells you no, if anyone ever says your voice isn't important or your dreams are too big, remember these women. They persisted and so should you. Warmly, Chelsea Clinton TABLE OF CONTENTS Chapter 1: Bright-Eyed Girl Chapter 2: The North Star's Diamond Light Chapter 3: Dreams of Freedom Chapter 4: Bound for the Promised Land Chapter 5: The Woman Called Moses Chapter 6: The Power of Progress How You Can Persist References Chapter 1 Bright-Eyed Girl When Harriet Green gave birth to her daughter, she held that baby close, whispered a sweet hello, and loved the child with all her heart. The newborn's father, Benjamin Ross, most likely cradled his tiny daughter. He was as proud as any daddy could be. The baby was born on a night so dark, you couldn't see past its black. But the light in that child's eyes was brighter than bright. She had a twinkle about her that shone like the sky's prettiest stars. Nobody knows the exact date this bright-eyed girl came into the world. She was born at a time when not everyone recorded birthdays. It was sometime between 1820 and 1822. Though no one remembers the precise year, one thing's for certain: this girl grew up to become a great lady whose bravery and grit persisted her whole life, and inspired others to follow. Excerpted from She Persisted: Harriet Tubman by Andrea Davis Pinkney, Chelsea Clinton All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.