Tubman and Truth: American Heroes

Aunt Harriet’s Underground Railroad in the Sky

Faith Ringgold, author and illustrator

Publisher Summary:

Flying way up, so far up that the mountains look like rock candy and the oceans like tiny cups of tea, Cassie and her brother, Be Be, encounter a fantastic train—the Underground Railroad train—and a tiny woman in a conductor’s uniform.  The woman is Harriet Tubman, who transports Cassie and Be Be back to the terrifying world of the slave plantation and on a desperate—but ultimately triumphant—journey of escape.  Drawing on historical accounts…and her own imagination, Faith Ringgold has created a book that both recounts the realities of slavery and joyfully celebrates freedom. 

What’s to Love:

This imaginative encounter puts modern day children in the role of escaped slaves—hiding is often frightening places like cobwebbed attics and even a confining coffin.  The constant threat of being caught and punished echoes in the story elements as well as the nefarious faces lurking in the shadows of the illustrations. The flying metaphor for modern day African Americans is used to illustrate how far they have come in their fight for freedom.  Unlike their ancestors who were in shackles, they can go anywhere and be anything.  The story ends with Cassie and Be Be reunited as people past and present remember the bravery and sacrifice of Harriet Tubman.

Before She Was Harriet

Lesa Cline-Ransome, author

James E. Ransome, illustrator

Publisher Summary:  

Moses. General Tubman, Minty, Araminta—the woman we know today as Harriet Tubman went by many names.  Each represented one of her many roles as a spy, as a liberator, as a suffragist, and more.

What’s to Love:

Using gorgeous watercolor paintings and lyrical free verse, the story of Harriet Tubman is revealed as a non-linear retrospective.  Each two-page spread depicts one of her amazing accomplishments—starting  with her role as a suffragist fighting for women without a voice and looking all the way back to when she was a slave named Araminta who was taught by her father to read the woods and stars.  To conclude, the story shifts back to Tubman as an old woman, “tired and worn and wrinkled and free.”  For those who only know her by her more famous role, conductor of the Underground Railroad, this book paints a fuller view of the woman who fought so hard to create a more just and free world. 

Moses:  When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom

Carole Boston Weatherford, author

Kadir Nelson, illustrator

Publisher Summary:

I set the north star in the heavens

And I mean for you to be free…

Born into slavery, Harriet Tubman hears these words from God one summer night and decides to leave her husband and family behind and escape.  Taking with her only her faith, she must creep through woods with hounds at her feet, sleep for days in a potato hole, trust people who could have easily turned her in.

But she was never alone.

What’s to Love:

Readers walk along as Harriet experiences the peril and hardship of her escape. They learn about how her faith gives her strength through her doubts and fears.  Her faith, also, gives her courage to help others to freedom.  To be a beacon of hope.  To be the Moses of her people.  The incomparable Kadir Nelson illustrates another stunning picture book about courage, perseverance, and hope in a time of rampant injustice and inequality. 

Only Passing Through:  The Story of Sojourner Truth

Anne Rockwell, author

R. Gregory Christie, illustrator

Publisher Summary:

Isabella was only nine when she was sold for the first time.  And at first no one wanted her.  The slave auctioneer had to throw in a flock of sheep before someone bid on the skinny young girl.

But this young girl would grow.  She would grow to become a brave, strong, towering women who would speak out against the evils of slavery.  She would transform herself into one of the most powerful voices in the abolitionist movement and would help to change the course of a nation. 

The slave girl Isabella would become the legendary Sojourner Truth. 

What’s to Love:

This fascinating picture book biography focuses primarily on Sojourner’s early personal life as a slave, mother, and freed woman.  Her bravery and boldness are highlighted, such as when she went before a White court and argued for her son’s freedom (and won).  Readers learn about her name, which she changed to represent her new life as well as her faith, her purpose, and her message.  The pivotal moment though is when she speaks before a large group of White people, and some men get rowdy.  Fearful, yet bold, Sojourner begins to sing, causing the crowd to calm.  She goes on to give her speech that night and for many nights afterward—throughout the land.  Her courage, boldness, and message are an inspiration. 

My Name is Truth

Ann Turner, author

James Ransome, illustrator

Publisher Summary:

God spoke in my heart a new name

which fits me like a new dress made

just for me…

I think with a name like

Sojourner Truth

a body has some respect at last. 

Here is the celebrated story of how former slave Isabella Baumfree transformed herself into the preacher and orator Sojourner Truth, one of the most inspiring and important figures of the abolitionist and women’s rights movement. 

What’s to Love:

Written as a first person narrative from Sojourner’s perspective, readers get snapshots of her life from birth to old age.  Concrete similes bring out her fierce faith and bold personality, such as “God spoke in my heart a new name that fits me like a new dress made just for me” and “at times my voice is like Gabriel’s trumpet.”  Though she constantly travels and tirelessly advocates for freedom and equality, she never forgets her family, who are like shining stars in the sky waiting for her arrive in heaven.  This poignant tribute is an ideal introduction to her legacy and message as a civil rights leader.

Sojourner Truth’s Step-Stomp Stride

Andrea Davis Pinkney, author

Brian Pinkney, illustrator

Publisher Summary:

Sojourner Truth was as strong and tall as most men.  She was big, black, and so beautiful.  Born into slavery, Sojourner ran away as a young girl.  She cherished her freedom, and believed it should be granted to everyone.  But she didn’t fight for it with her mighty fists, and she didn’t stomp for it with her giant boots.  Sojourner spoke the truth, and struggled against injustice with her brave, beautiful voice.

What’s to Love:

This book covers much of the same material as the others.  There are a couple differences though.  This narrative emphasizes her big, strong, and beautiful appearance to focus more on her physical strength and presence which goes with the “step-stomp stride” of the title.  In the beginning she is a strong slave woman who can do any physical task a man can do.  This metaphor continues as she walks as a free woman and uses her strong feet and presence to take on jobs in the city.  Eventually, she stomps out ignorance and intolerance as a powerful speaker.  Another major difference in this story is the focus on her work for women’s rights.  This role is epitomized when she listens to a group of preachers declaring all the reasons women should remain in an inferior status.  In response, Sojourner walks up to the podium to refute each one of their arguments using truths from the Bible.  Sojourner is a model for the importance of using your words to fight injustice, no matter how much physical strength a person possesses. 

When Harriet Met Sojourner

Catherine Clinton, author

Shane W. Evan, illustrator

Publisher Summary:

To women with similar backgrounds.

Both slaves; both fiercely independent.

Both great in different ways.

Harriet Tubman:  brave pioneer who led her fellow slaves to freedom, larger than life…yearning to be free.

Sojourner Truth:  strong woman who spoke up for African American rights, tall as a tree…yearning to be free.

One day in 1864, the lives of these two women came together. 

What’s to Love:

Unfolding in gripping parallel portraits, this beautiful tribute celebrates the common work and message of two heroes of the abolitionists’ movement.  Though they were born decades apart and in different parts of the country, their common faith and powerful message made them sisters in the fight against the evils of slavery.

For Older Children…

Harriet Tubman:  The Life of an African-American Abolitionist

Rob Shone & Anita Ganeri, authors

Rob Shone, illustrator

The book begins and ends with a few pages of historical information.  The majority of it is written as a graphic novel beginning with Tubman’s childhood and ending with her death.  Not only are her activities with the Underground Railroad shown but also her work with the Union army and other efforts to help the needy.  In addition, Civil War moments are revealed—specifically ones noteworthy for African-Americans. 

Testing the Ice: A True Story About Jackie Robinson (Sharon Robinson)

Title: Testing the Ice:  A True Story About Jackie Robinson

Author:  Sharon Robinson

Illustrator:  Kadir Nelson

Target Ages:  4 and up

Genre:  Biographical Picture Book

Publisher Summary:

When Jackie Robinson moves his family from New York City to Connecticut, the beautiful lake on their property is the center of everyone’s fun.  The neighborhood children join the Robinson kids for swimming and boating.  But oddly, Jackie never goes near the water.

In a dramatic episode that first winter, Jackie is called upon to test the ice on the lake to make sure it’s safe for ice-skating.  But why, Sharon wonders, is he always so afraid to go near the water?

First Lines:

The year was 1955. 

Dad was in his ninth season with the Brooklyn Dodgers, and for the third time in four years, they faced the New York Yankees in the World Series!

Memorable Moment:

In fact, Dad showed the same courage on the ice that day as he did when he broke the color barrier in baseball.  No one really knew what would happen.  But he felt his way along an untried path—like a blind man tapping for clues.

That was Jackie Robinson.  And that was my dad.  Big, heavy, out there alone on the lake, testing the ice to be sure it would be safe for us.

And he did it—even though he couldn’t swim!  

Evaluation: 

This non-linear story begins with 1955 Brooklyn Dodgers World Series win. 

Then it moves back a year to when Jackie Robinson moved his family out to the country for more privacy and family time. The idyllic scenes depict Robinson as a loving and devoted family man. 

Next, the story falls further back in time several years to when he was in the Negro Baseball League, and later recruited by the Brooklyn Dodgers.  Readers learn about his bravery, perseverance, and dedication. 

Finally, the heart of the story comes into focus as his daughter recounts Robinson’s courage as he went out on the ice, despite his own fears, to keep his children safe. His devotion as a father is inspirational.  

The contrast of the professional player with the personal man provides a fuller view of the legend.  It is refreshing to see a personal life of a public figure that is as worthy of praise as his professional life.  

The wonder of this story is furthered in the stunning paintings by Kadir Nelson.  He has a true gift for capturing the beauty of humanity—both the external and the internal. Nelson knows when to depict a sweeping view and when to give his characters their close up.  The facial expressions and thrilling actions bring this family recollection in full vivid glory. 

Testing the Ice:  A True Story About Jackie Robinson is a loving tribute to the revered baseball hero.  This snap shot story further solidifies his reputation as a hero—both in sports and in life.

Historical Connections:

Segregation

Jackie Robinson

Negro Baseball League—We Are the Ship (Book Connection) 
Civil Rights Movement

Bird (by Zetta Elliott)

Title:  Bird

Author:  Zetta Elliott

Illustrator:  Shadra Strickland

Target Ages:  8 and up

Genre:  Realistic Fiction

Awards: Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe Award for new Talent in Illustrations, Ezra Jack Keats Book Award, ALA Notable Children’s book, and several others

Publisher Summary:  Young Mehkai, better known as Bird, loves to draw.  With drawings, he can erase the things that don’t turn out right.  In real life, problems aren’t so easily fixed.  As Bird struggles to understand the death of his beloved grandfather and his older brother’s drug addiction, he escapes into his art.  Drawing is an outlet for Bird’s emotions and imagination, and provides a path to making sense of his world.  In time, with the help of his grandfather’s friend, Bird finds his own special somethin’ and wings to fly.

Watch the book trailer here.  

First Lines: 

Today I saw a bird outside my window. 

It was perched on the rusty rail of the fire escape

shivering in the window. 

I wanted to open my window

and bring the bird inside

where it was warm,

but a sudden gust of wind

blew the bird away.

I drew a picture so I wouldn’t forget.

Evaluation: 

Bird is a picture book, so you may be wondering why I am posting it for Marvelous Middle Grade Monday.  To be fair, the book is shelved with the middle grade fiction in my library.  The target age, according to the publisher, is 8-13.  Also, the tone, content, and themes—addiction, loss, crime—are heavy.  Bird is not a book you would typically pull out for circle story time fun.  Despite the picture book format, it is definitely geared for middle grade readers.

The story is written in free verse.  The non-linear storyline works overall, but I did get a little confused at one point.  It begins with Bird spending time with his Uncle Son (a family friend), which is where the protagonist’s character begins to unfold.  Then, it switches to his relationship with his brother and to a lesser degree his grandfather.  The reader gets snapshots of their interactions; however, the exact time and space blends together like a mingling of memory and time.  The ending re-establishes the present—Bird learning from his mentor Uncle Son, who has taken on the role of grandfather, parent, and mentor.

Bird is the age of the target audience—about 10 or 11.  He is mature and reflective in many ways, but in others he is naïve and searching.   This story gives a voice to the many children who live in the urban setting and must face issues like dealing with drug addicted loved ones, having all their possesses stolen from their home, fending for themselves afterschool, and relying on community members for guidance. 

The picture book format adds complexity and characterization. The illustrations reflect both Bird’s reality and his imagination.   Illustrator Shadra Strickland uses watercolors and gouache in blues, greys, and blacks to depict the text.  The muted colors add to the urban setting and protagonist’s internal conflict.  While he has an outlet in his drawing and the support of caring adults, he is dealing with some harsh realities.  The darker colors reflect that reality astutely.  In contrast, charcoal and pen sketches are intertwined to illustrate Bird’s drawings.  By studying them, the reader learns more about the protagonist’s inner thought-life.

Both his parents work long hours.  As a result, Bird often goes to Uncle Son’s apartment after school.  Other than the occasional interactions with his brother, he spends much of his time alone—drawing, reflecting, and dreaming. Those activities not only help him cope, but also give him a hope for the future.  Bird exhibits a strong sense of resilience in the midst of adversity.

The narrative and illustrations have a lot to unpack.  The theme and characterization build empathy.  As a result, I highly recommend Bird for middle grade readers. 

Ideas for Extension Activities at Home or Lesson Plans for Teachers:

• Study the illustrations to discover more about the character. 
• Look up the symbolic meanings of the bird.  Discuss which meanings relate to the character and how they add multiple layers to the text. 
• Discuss the loss of a loved one as well as ways people cope and heal.
• Evaluate what the tone is and how it is interwoven throughout the narrative. 
• Analyze the non-linear story structure.
• Teacher’s Guide

For other Marvelous Middle Grade Monday recommendations, check out Always in the Middle.

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Sisters (Raina Telgemeier)

Title: Sisters

Author/Illustrator:  Raina Telgemeier

Target Ages:  8 and up

Genre:  Graphic Novel Autobiography

Awards: Eisner Award (for graphic novels)

Publisher Summary:

“Raina can't wait to be a big sister. But once Amara is born, things aren't quite how she expected them to be. Amara is cute, but she's also a cranky, grouchy baby, and mostly prefers to play by herself. Their relationship doesn't improve much over the years. But when a baby brother enters the picture, and later, when something doesn't seem right between their parents, they realize they must figure out how to get along. They are sisters, after all.”

Evaluation:

Recently, I saw Sisters on a list of top 10 books for middle grade readers, so I put it on hold at the library. I did not realize it was a graphic novel nor do I have much experience with the genre.  After reading this book though, I am more likely to give a graphic novel a second look.

The story is genuine and realistic. The family is far from perfect. For instance, Raina and Amara have a typical sibling relationship. They irritate each other.  They torment each other.  They argue with each other.  Most importantly, they love each other despite everything—though it is often difficult to see.  Their family experiences job loss, new sibling arrivals, and separation (hinting at possible divorce). 

Characterization is multi-faceted. Raina’s hopes, fears, and insecurities are depicted, making her relatable to the target audience. She wants her own space and independence while also longing for acceptance from her peers and family. For instance, at the family reunion she tries to figure out where she belongs. The younger kids are rambunctious. The adults are all arguing.  However, her slightly older peers make her feel small and insignificant. Raina puts on make-up (which is not in her normal characterization) and tries to connect with them, but they pretty much ignore her. 

The complex plot is non-linear. The main structure revolves around a road trip to a family reunion taking place 4 states away. However, there are numerous flashbacks beginning with when Raina is in preschool longing for a baby sister.  Other flashbacks help round out her characterization and relationship with her family, particularly with Amara. 

Young readers will gain experience deciphering visual literacy clues.  While the text is significant, the pictures are vital to understanding the plot and characterization. Readers have the added practice of determining when the flashback sequences are starting and ending.  For instance, they tend to be in more muted, dream-like tones and the characters are younger (most of the time). In addition, there is always a full-page signal that the story is moving back to the present. 

Other key elements of plot are appealing. Foreshadowing piques readers’ interest. Early in the story, readers learn about an unspecified (but apparently dreadful) “incident.” The author craftily sets it up by depicting past related experiences as well as returns to it later to reveal and to wrap up that plot point. Suspense is also incorporated. When the family van breaks down in the middle of the desert, Amara and Raina are left alone for 4 hours in the vehicle while their mother and younger brother go get help. (I was pretty stressed out!  Glad it is a children’s book.)  Finally, a healthy dose of humor is sprinkled throughout.  From waking up in front of everyone at the family reunion cuddling with a teddy bear to listening to her mother sing “Kum-ba-yah” around the campfire to the “blackberry” incident, middle grade readers will laugh—though probably with a bit of embarrassment hoping no one catches them in one of those moments.

The story is autobiographical.  It includes some photos of the real Raina and Amara as children.  Currently, two additional books are in the series Smile and Drama, which I am anxiously awaiting my turn in the library queue to read.

Overall, the story is engaging, heart-warming, and funny.  It is ideal for middle grade and reluctant readers. 

For other Marvelous Middle Grade Monday recommendations, visit Shannon Messenger's weekly round up.  

Middle Grade Fantasy: The Dragon of Lonely Island (by Rebecca Rupp)

Summary of The Dragon of Lonely Island:

Three children, along with their mother, plan to spend the summer on Lonely Island where their elderly great-aunt Mehitabel has a home.  The only current residents on this island off the mainland are Mr. and Mrs. Jones, the caretakers.  Before they arrive, the children—Hannah, Zachary, and Sarah Emily—receive a short note from Aunt Mehitabel urging them to explore Drake’s Hill and to find the Tower Room.  A key is included.  The first morning on the island, Sarah Emily and Zachary find the intriguing Tower Room with its antique toys, books of fairy tales, and a puzzle box.  Later, they enthusiastically venture out to Drake’s Hill.  The smell of cinnamon and smoke permeates the air and entices them to explore a cave in the side of the hill.  To their amazement, there is a tridrake (three-headed dragon) named Fafnyr living there.   During each visit, one of the three dragon heads is awake.  The children curl up with the mythical beast as he tells them a story.  The eldest dragon head teaches Hannah about being responsible and compassionate from the experience of Mei-lan, a young girl from ancient China.  The middle dragon head is awake on their second visit.  He illustrates for Zachary the importance of sharing and selflessness through an orphan named Jamie who was taken captive by pirates.  The youngest dragon is alert on the children’s next visit.  Fearful Sarah Emily sees through the story of her young aunt Mehitabel’s (referred to as Hitty) plane crash on an island that she needs to be more resourceful and courageous.  The final story also reveals how Fafnyr came to live at Lonely Island.   The children inherit an important job:  protector of Fafnyr’s existence.   As the summer ends, the trio are reluctant to leave, but they look forward to the next summer on the island with Fafnyr and the Joneses. 

Evaluation:

The Dragon of Lonely Island is an interesting combination of fantasy and reality. This non-linear narrative moves fluidly from present to past to present by using key repetitive phrases as a flashback begins and italics during the past encounters.  The majority of the setting is in the “real” world with the only fantastical element being the dragon encounters.  Even the flashbacks with the dragon are historical fiction accounts where the dragon meets human children and indelibly impacts them in a positive manner.  While the dragon is clearly wise from its centuries on the Earth, the flashbacks reveal that Fafnyr experienced  many of the same inner conflicts as the humans.  The tale is clearly instructional with lessons for the characters and readers in sharing, honesty, responsibility, courage, and resourcefulness.  There is also an underlying thread about the lack of compassion and understanding of humans.  For instance, in the Mei-lan story, a man shoots and injures the dragon as it benignly flies through the sky.  In addition, a few remarks are made about humans taking up all the space on the planet.  The narrative plays it safe.  Author Rebecca Rupp uses direct presentation and popular plot conventions—summer in a large, old house, a mysterious box, and a secretive place.  As a result, there is nothing profound in the plot or characterization.  Nevertheless, the realistic setting with fantastical experiences and stories will appeal to many young readers who want to escape for the afternoon.  I recommend this middle grade fantasy novel for children ages 8-11.