I Am #6: Harriet Tubman
Next up in the I Am series is this brief but instructive chronicle of the legendary Underground Railroad conductor. Prefaced by a time line and a page introducing important individuals to the story, Norwich’s narrative provides information as well as insight into how that information has come down to us. For example, a sidebar notes the recent discovery of a two-dollar payment to a midwife for what scholars think was Tubman’s delivery back on March 15, 1822. There are occasional awkward phrasings—“Life for a slave was basically backbreaking labor without a break”—but the account moves along smoothly. Tubman’s early life in slavery is well described, as are her brave efforts to escape. Norwich also makes clear that life didn’t become easy once Tubman was in the North: she felt compelled to go back and help other slaves to freedom. Tubman also gave invaluable help to the Union forces during the Civil War, and later she worked on behalf of women and the elderly. Simon’s pencil illustrations provide useful visual details. Grades 3-5, --Abby Nolan