Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom

Weatherford, Carol Boston.  (2006). Moses: when harriet tubman let her people to freedom.  New York:  Hyperion Books for Children.
This book received the Caldecott Honor  (2007)

Exposition:  Harriet Tubman is a slave who is speaking to God. God tells her that He has sent the north star for her to follow.  She decides to leave towards freedom the next day.  Throughout the book she speaks to God and God leads her.

Rising Action:  Harriet Tubman runs away to freedom.  She must hide to keep away from slave hunters.  She does come across people who are willing to feed her and let her rest.  When Harriet feels she can no longer continue, she speaks to God and He provides her strength.

Climax:  Harriet Tubman has made it to freedom, but she misses her family.  God tells her to go back and retrieve them.  When preparing for her journey back to the south, Harriet discovers that the church she is at is a station along the Underground Railroad. 

Falling Action:  Harriet Tubman goes back to the south to rescue her family from slavery. She rescues her family along with other slaves she encounters.

Resolution:  She has successfully showed her family and the other slaves to freedom.  She returns to the south many times over to show other slaves the way to freedom.

Kadir Nelson illustrated this inspiring picture book.  Kadir Nelson illustrated another book that I previously blogged about, Henry's Freedom Box.  Once again, he created illustrations that prove to be nothing less than beautiful.  His illustrations establish the setting, develop the characters, reinforce text, and establish mood.  He uses bold and dark colors to assist with the feeling of fear, dread, and hope.  His illustrations show the reader the 1800's setting.  He shows the look of hope, courage, fear, and determination on Harriet Tubman's face.  A sensational picture book.