Harriet Tubman and the Freedom Train
Grade 2-4-An engaging but disconcerting introduction to this woman's life. The copyright page states that "This book is a work of fiction. Any references to historical events, real people, or real locales are used fictitiously." Yet the book concludes with a chronology of Tubman's life. Children are sure to be very confused as to what's true and what isn't. The use of dialogue and feelings offer appropriate reflections of the characters and their times, such as: "Minty left her friend's house with fear in her heart." Young readers will appreciate the simple sentences in large font, as well as Marshall's acrylic illustrations rendered in dusky tones that are filled with glimmers of light and flowing shadows. The organization is a bit confusing, as the book begins: "Harriet Tubman often sang when she was lonely or scared. This time Harriet was not scared. Harriet was free!" Yet the chapter continues with a description of her birth into slavery, her work as a house slave and then a field slave, and her injury from a blow to the head with an iron bar, with no further mention of freedom until later in the book. Subsequent chapters are more clearly written, noting Minty's marriage to John Tubman, the dangers of her initial journey on the Underground Railroad, and her courageous work as a conductor. The scope of this book is similar to that of David A. Adler's A Picture Book of Harriet Tubman (Holiday, 1992). Libraries may consider this an additional purchase for recreational reading, but it is unacceptable for reports.Laura Scott, Farmington Community Library, MICopyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.