Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad - Hardcover

Adler, David A.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0823423654 ISBN 13: 9780823423651

Publisher: Holiday House, 2012

Synopsis

Born a slave, Harriet Tubman was determined not to
remain one. She escaped from her owners in Maryland on
the Underground Railroad in 1849 and then fearlessly
returned thirteen times to help guide family members
and others to freedom as the most famous conductor of
the Underground Railroad. As she proudly claimed, she
“never lost a passenger.” Her bravery served her well in
the Union army, where she was a cook, a nurse, and then
a spy. During and after the war, she helped hundreds of
freed slaves begin new lives, and she later founded a home
for elderly former slaves and became active in the women’s
suffrage movement. She was one of the best known
women of her time. A time line, notes, excerpts from
primary sources, bibliography, and index are included.

About this title

About the Author

David A. Adler is the author of nearly 200 books for children. He was a New York City mathematics teacher for nine years before becoming inspired to write his first book. When his wife gave birth to their first child, David stayed home to take care of his son and to write, which he has been doing ever since. He lives in Queens, NY with his wife Renee.

From Booklist

*Starred Review* In addition to telling the story of Harriet Tubman’s life, Adler helps readers understand her world, from the lives of slaves to the methods of the Underground Railroad to the social conditions in nineteenth-century America. Born into slavery in the early 1820s, Tubman was put to work around age five and hired out at six. A blow to the head left her with narcolepsy—a dangerous condition for a conductor on the Underground Railroad—and visions, which both expressed her religious faith and strengthened her resolve. Adler traces Tubman’s escape from slavery, her many trips leading other slaves northward, and her ceaseless striving to relieve suffering and to work for freedom in her world. He also gives vivid accounts of slave rescues she led and offers insight into her relationships with other notable figures of the day. Meticulously documented, this clearly written book builds a convincing portrayal of its subject through carefully chosen details and the skilled use of narrative and of period quotes. The black-and-white illustrations include many photos and prints from the period. While children’s biographies of Harriet Tubman abound, most are aimed at a younger audience. Adler’s well-researched account of her life is a strong choice for library collections. Grades 5-8. --Phelan, Carolyn

Edition details

• Publisher: Holiday House
• Publication date: 2012
• ISBN 10: 0823423654
• ISBN 13: 9780823423651
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 144