Harriet Tubman has always been an interest of mine. Understanding slavery, understanding the constant fear and oppression, understanding the second class citizenship black individuals felt and still feel is important. To me. For my kids to understand. We can all do better. The more we know, the better we can be. I’ve felt this way before George Floyd. Before we adopted.
I asked Tiny Dancer and Blue to pick an independent study topic when our district transitioned into e-learning this spring. Blue picked Harriet Tubman and we dove in head first! We read every picture book and emerging reader book we could find. I can research the business out of a topic, especially when it includes books. But I came across one book in particular this summer for adults that blew me away.
She Came to Slay by Erica Armstrong Dunbar is hands-down a gold mine! I really started this book with a good base of knowledge for Harriet, but this book shut. it. down! This woman lived a hard life. Nothing got easier for her. There was no massive payout. She dedicated her life to service and the details Dunbar shares are just unimaginable.
Here are a few of my ‘wow’ reading moments:
- Harriet developed measles as a child and was expected to continue to work catching muskrats in chilly waters.
- Harriet prayed for her master when he was seriously ill and she was at risk for being sold. She prayed for him when most others would have been praying for themselves. This woman. Amazing.
- Women with small children were the least likely to run away as slaves (read the book for the reasons – fascinating). Even though there was a bounty for Harriet’s capture, who did Harriet go back to help escape on her first rescue mission? Her niece and her kiddos. Incredibly risk and so worth it for Harriet. Freaking hero in a million ways.
I attached sticky notes to a zillion pages because the writing is just so fantastic, the details are so well-researched and the heroism simply took my words away. How are there more books about Jackie O than Harriet Tubman? This woman is a legend and a hero and I so admire her.
I cannot wait to see her image on the $20 bill. Here’s an article that helps explain the process.
“I think slavery is the next thing to hell. If a person would send another into bondage, he would, it appears to me, be bad enough to send him into hell, if he could.
Harriet Tubman to Benjamin Drew, St. Catharines, ONtario, Canada, 1855
Emerging Readers and Middle Grade:
Blue and I read Who Was Harriet Tubman? by Yona Zeldis McDonough together and zoomed through it. The illustrations are fantastic and the font was big enough for him to read out loud to me. Win!
Littles:
I got Little People, Big Dreams Harriet Tubman by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara for Hope and Motor. I love, love, love these books. If you’re doing a deep dive into slavery history or not, this book belongs in your home library!
Question: What other amazing books about Harriet or slavery or the underground railroad should I read next?