African-American Literature Review- Book #1

African American Literature Review

Minty

By: Alan Schroeder

Illustrations By: Jerry Pinkney

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Schroeder, Alan. 1996. MINTY. Ill. Jerry Pinkney. New York: Dial Books. ISBN 0803718896

PLOT SUMMARY-
This fictional account of a young Harriet Tubman documents the struggles of slavery in the early 1820’s. Harriet, better known by her cradle name, “Minty” is a spirited and brave child that frequently rebels against the idea of slavery. Her mumblings of dissatisfaction and thoughts like, “I’m gonna runaway” grew more frequent with beatings and threats of being “sold South”. With her father recognizing her youthful, yet mature desire to escape North to freedom, he began to secretly teach his young daughter skills that would allow her to be successful on her journey. Minty contemplates several escape attempts, but falls short with fear. Although the story concludes before Harriet reaches her destiny, the reader is left with the hope of her freedom “She dreamed of sunflowers and stars, and the call of the whippoorwill, and a road through the forest that one day, when she had the courage, would carry her to freedom……”

CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Alan Schroeder does a remarkable job capturing young readers with relatable images of childhood. He connects with readers by describing the reaction of his young, playful yet rebellious character which giggles at the summons of her “missus”. Schroeder explains “She stuck out her tongue just as far as it could go” and sharing Harriet’s inner thoughts of “I’ll come when I’m good and ready”.

Cultural Markers are evident by both the author and illustrator throughout this book. Schroeder’s dialect is culturally authentic for this time period with phrases like “Don’t lie to me girl, ‘less you want a whippin’ “ or Minty’s desperate pleas of “ No, Misus” and quick retorts by the Mrs. Brodus “That’ll learn you”. Schroeder has characters carrying out activities that were natural duties of this time period, for example having Mrs. Brodus on the porch cracking walnuts to wearing bandannas in the field to help with sweat and heat of the South. Jerry Pinkey illustrates the authentic clothes of slaves of patchwork , cloth scraps to the correct depiction of the table setting in the master’s house to the jewelry worn by the missus.

Jerry Pinkney’s, colored pencils and water colored illustrations beautifully depict life on a plantation during the 1820’s. His full-page illustrations pull the reader into the setting soaking up the full effect of the struggles of Harriet. Pinkney grabs the readers with the eye contact of his character, facial expressions and by depicting events of the story. If the reader looks closely enough they even see the cider that was spilt by poor Minty dripping off the table as Mr. Brodus quickly wipes it up. His realistic illustrations has the reader feeling the pain of the “whippin” through the eyes of Minty, recognizing the illuminating glows of comfort inside the master’s house or her gaze into the big, night sky. Readers can imagine spotting their own North Star that will eventually carry Minty to her freedom.

Schroeder’s respect for having the reader’s understand the plight of Harriet Tubman is evident by providing a foreword explaining the fictional embellishments that he created, but by also having a Author’s Note and the end that gives the reader additional factual information about Harriet Tubman.


Awards:
1997 Coretta Scott King Award

REVIEW EXCERPTS
School Library Journal- “This beautifully illustrated and moving fictional story can be used to introduce Harriet Tubman and the injustice of slavery to young audiences.”

Kirkus starred review- “This exquisitely crafted book resonates well beyond its few pages.”

Other Books About Harriet Tubman
Ringgold, Faith. Aunt Harriet’s Underground Railroad in the Sky. ISBN 978051758768.
Weathorford, Carole Boston. Moses : When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom. ISBN 9780786851751