Harriet+Tubman

Photo taken from Google images

=Aunt Harriet's= =Underground Railroad= =in the Sky=

by Faith Ringgold
SUMMARY:  This book tells the story of two children, Cassie and Be Be, who took an imaginary ride on a train to learn about slavery and the journey to freedom. While Be Be was left on the train, Aunt Harriet plays the role of Harriet Tubman, and she tells Cassie what life as like as a slave and the obstacles Cassie must overcome in order to make it to Canada where she will have freedom. All along Cassie’s journey, Aunt Harriet is whispering the next place safe place Cassie needs to go in order to get to freedom, and as she arrives at each she finds a letter from Be Be encouraging her to continue on the journey. Eventually Cassie flies over Niagara Falls where she is reunited with Be Be, Aunt Harriet and all of the passengers on the Underground Railroad, and they take part in the one hundredth anniversary of Harriet Tubman and her mission to find freedom. Image taken from bing images

CONNECTIONS TO COMPONENTS OF READING:  This book can be used as a tool for students to learn about Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad. This focuses on an historical event in the past and is told from the point of view of a slave trying to escape. This also focuses on the importance of freedom during that time period, and reminds students that children and adults were faced with different challenges and obstacles than we are today. This book could be used during a lesson where students learn about slavery. Students could map Cassie’s journey to study the different routes that were part of the Underground Railroad, and focus on identifying which states were free and which were slave states. They could also explore the Underground Railroad in more depth, discovering how the journey was possible, who helped, the risks, etc.

REVIEW:  This book provides students insight into the underground railroad and shares a glimpse of what life was like for slaves in search of freedom. The art work that accompanies each page is very colorful and well done, and provides extra detail to the reader about the experiences of BeBe and Cassie. The author has done a wonderful job of sharing a piece of history with students, and also allows students to use their imagination as they take a ride on the train to Canada.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:  Faith Ringgold is a world renowned artist whose artwork has been on display in nearly every continent over the past thirty-five years. She has written and illustrated eleven childrens books, in addition to the story quilts, political pieces and murals depicting the events of the civil rights movement. Her autobiography and details of other books she has written can be found at [|Faith Ringgold's homepage.]