#22- Moses

#22- Moses

Moses

Written by: Carole Boston Weatherford

Illustrated by: Kadir Nelson

Jump at the Sun/Hyperion Books for Children, 2006

37 pages

Historical Fiction

“’How far, Lord’?’ As far as you can walk with me my child, and I will carry you.”

This book contains very true elements of Harriet Tubman’s life. However, the book is mainly about her conversations with God during this time. The book describes how Harriet Tubman gathered the courage to flee from her master. Throughout her journey to freedom, Harriet relies on God’s reassurances to guide her to safety. Harriet has to trust strangers to help her on her journey, and God is the one who gives her the confidence to trust them. Harriet eventually makes it to Philadelphia. Here, she realizes that she needs to help other slaves travel through the Underground Railroad to freedom. With God’s guidance, she does just that.

Kadir Nelson used pencil, oil, and watercolor to illustrate these incredible depictions of Harriet Tubman. Each page is emotionally charged, which allows the reader to feel the worry and sorrow in each picture. The pictures are all double-page spreads. The text is very informal because God’s words are typed in bigger print.

This book is appropriate for any age group, but I believe that third to sixth grade students would most benefit from the book. This book would be a terrific read aloud while teaching a unit on slavery, the Underground Railroad, or Harriet Tubman. The students could write a journal entry about their reaction to this book. Moses has received two awards: the Caldecott Honor, and the Coretta Scott King Award.