Review: Harriet Tubman: A journey to Freedom by Sandra A Agard, illustrated by Luisa Uribe, George Ermos and Manhar Chauhan

Harriet Tubman, also known as Araminta Ross, or Minty by her loved ones. We’ve heard the names but do we know her story?

Born into slavery in 1820 in the state of Maryland, Harriet was determined to gain freedom at all costs, even if it meant dying. Through extraordinary heroism and ingenious planning, she saved not just herself, but many other enslaved people, becoming a famed 'Conductor' on the secret Underground Railroad to the North.  

This fascinating well-researched middle-grade bio is enthralling from beginning to end ― I could not put it down! In keeping with the Trailblazers book series it contains lots of factual detail, but Sandra A Agard's skillfully concise presentation, with a lightness of touch, makes it easy to absorb. Any horrific events are delivered in a non-sensationalised way which makes the information palatable for KS2 readers who are exploring biographical texts. 

The clear layout, with plenty of text boxes and images to break up the information, means the text is split up into manageable chunks. A handy timeline and glossary will enable children to gain a fuller understanding of historical events while broadening their vocabulary (history).

Agard also provides the historical context that underpinned the actions and motives of all parties involved in Harriet's story. From a potted history of the pre-19th century European slave trade to Nat Turner’s rebellion in 1831, Abraham Lincoln's election in 1860 to the abolition of American slavery in 1865, children will learn how the broader social-political climate influenced decisions and attitudes in relation to slavery, including those of the British (history). Where necessary, Agard is explicit about the limits and reliability of historical evidence, which is so important when teaching children to evaluate information from historical sources. 

Harriet Tubman

What I particularly loved was the strong sense of Black agency that came through in the text. Agard is careful not to portray all Black slaves as passive and submissive. We learn about the various modes of Black resistance: mobilisation and rebellion, singing spirituals to send coded messages, encrypted letters, disguises, the many Black abolitionists who risked their lives to shelter fugitives, Harriet's woodland survival skills, and so much more.

Reading this bio evokes a range of emotions: heartbreak, frustration, excitement, joy, but the overwhelming feeling is pride. Harriet was world-renowned as a tireless abolitionist and activist beyond her involvement with the Underground Railroad. I'm astounded this extraordinary Black woman’s achievements were not taught in schools when I was young. Her story should be known by everyone ― adults and children alike ― and with the availability of this wonderful book, there really is no excuse!

Notes for teachers

The Underground Railroad involved the secret methods by which Black slaves escaped the South to gain freedom in the north of America. It's estimated between 60,000 and 100,000 African Americans achieved freedom via this route. 

Conductors were free individuals who risked their lives to help fugitive slaves to escape to freedom via the Underground Railroad. Conductors provided safe passage to and from safe houses or 'stations' under the cover of darkness. Harriet was a conductor for eight years and was probably the most famous.

Guide for teachers and parents

Genre	Non-fiction: biographical text
Child-led interests (EYFS)	N/A
Age group (EYFS, KS1, KS2)	KS2 (Y5/6)
Curriculum links/topics (EYFS/NC)	English: Reading comprehension (Y5/6) - continuing to read and discuss an increasingly wide range of fiction, poetry, plays, non-fiction and reference books or textbooks; reading books that are structured in different ways and reading for a range of purposes; checking that the book makes sense to them, discussing their understanding and exploring the meaning of words in context; asking questions to improve their understanding; summarising the main ideas drawn from more than one paragraph, identifying key details that support the main ideas; identifying how language, structure and presentation contribute to meaning; retrieve, record and present information from non-fiction; explain and discuss their understanding of what they have read, including through formal presentations and debates, maintaining a focus on the topic and using notes where necessary; History: a study of an aspect or theme in British history that extends pupils’ chronological knowledge beyond 1066 (suggestion - British colonial history - participation in the Transatlantic slave trade; the triangle of trade).
Suitability	whole-class teaching, class/school library, home-library,
General features	biographical/historical facts; third-person pronouns; written in chronological chapters but broken up by additional info including explanatory text boxes, images, and quotes; key life events and influences; glossary, timeline, index

All the Black children's books that I review are checked against my Jericho Benchmark.