Picture Book Review
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Weatherford, Carole Boston. 2006. MOSES. Ill. by Kadir Nelson. New York: Jump at the Sun/Hyperion Books for Children. ISBN 0786851759
PLOT SUMMARY
In this breathtaking picture book, Carole Weathorford takes the reader through a fictionalized account of Harriet Tubman’s spiritual escape from slavery to the north. Through Tubman’s strong faith she returns more than nineteen times to the dangerous south to help over three hundred slaves to freedom on the Underground Railroad.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Weathorford’s writing is magical in itself. She carries off dialogue from three different perspectives in this story; A third-person narrator that tells of Harriet’s life and moves the story along, while showing Harriet’s inner voice and prayers to God and God’s responses reaching directly to Harriet’s soul. This is empowering dialogue is distinguished by using different font styles.
Kadir Nelson’s illustrations equally balance the importance of Harriet Tubman’s story. The oil and water color paintings depict the beauty of America’s land but stresses the hardships of the long road to freedom. His choice in color, shadows, light or absence of light sets the mood perfectly for this spiritual story.
With the author’s foreword and author’s note give readers more information about the practice of slavery in the United States and one woman’s great courage to help others to freedom.
REVIEW EXCERPTS
Caldecott Medal Honor/Award 2007
Coretta Scott King Award/Honor 2007
Starred review in SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: “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
Starred review in Horn Book: “Weatherford’s poetic telling of Harriet Tubman's role as a conductor on the Underground Railroad combines with Nelson's larger-than-life illustrations to portray the spiritual life of the African American visionary”
CONNECTIONS
This book is can be used in a variety of ways in the classroom. It not only gives a great account of the characteristics of great leaders, but the historical account of slavery in America.
Children can write a story from the perspective that they are a runaway slave escaping with Harriet.
Research the Underground Railroad and think of how they could communicate in secret to other slaves.
Other Books:
Ferris, Jerri. Go free or die : a story about Harriet Tubman. ISBN 0876145047
Brill, Marlene Targ. Allen Jay and the Underground Railroad. ISBN 0876147767
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