Title: Moses : When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom
Author: Weatherford, Carole Boston
Illustrator: Nelson, Kadir
Publisher: Hyperion Books for Children, 2006
Genre: Picture Book, Informational Text, Historical Fiction
Awards: Caldecott Honor Book 2007, Coretta Scott King Award
Age Range: 3-5th graders

Summary: This inspirational book tells the story of Harriet Tubman. The book personifies Tubman as Moses. After questioning herself, she follows what the Lord tells her to do, escape. Once reaching Philadelphia, Tubman turns back around to get her family and friends. The forward and author's notes tell more information about the book. This book is categorized as a historical fiction because it is based on a true event, but contains dialog that may have not actually happened.

Response: This book will be used over and over again in my classroom. The way Weatherford and Boston combined their incredible talents in this picture book is breath-taking. Formatting is one of my favorite aspects of this book. I imagine God being boisterous and loud. This book has his dialog printed large and outstanding. Harriet's voice is subdued through the use of italics. The story-line itself is in a simple, easy to read, distinguishable font. That is what made this book very interesting to me, three different voices are heard. I also love how Weatherford uses vivid language to tell the story. She uses language that almost sounds like a chant, "When that old Chariot comes, I'm going to leave you..." Also, the pictures themselves could be hung on walls. HOW AMAZING! The author's words and illustrator's pictures mesh so well, especially on the "river" page. Or, on the page where Tubman is sitting on the ground. The words wrapped around her makes it seem as if God is enrobing her in his grace.
This book is very impressive, all the way around!

Teaching Ideas: For this book, I am going to focus on it's use in the high school classroom. This book could be used in so many different ways. Again, it could be used to teach voice/perspective/point of view. It could also be used to introduce a unit on African American Literature/slavery. So many things can be incorporated into this book such as slave songs, other stories from this time period, the importance of God to slaves etc. Students could look up the story of Moses, and compare. This could teach allegory! This book will be used in my high school classroom because it catches attention and it talks about a rather controversial topic.

Who said picture books were for kids?!

PS--> Here is a great lesson plan to try out with this book!

--jeana