Runaway Slave: The Story of Harriet Tubman

by Ann McGovern

This is the story of Harriet Tubman and how she led hundreds of slaves to freedom-on the secret Underground Railroad.

Genres: Biography, History, Nonfiction, Childrens

64 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1965

About the author

Ann McGovern Scheiner (née Weinberger) was an American writer of more than 55 children's books, selling over 30 million copies. She may be best known for her adaptation of Stone Soup, as well as Too Much Noise, historical and travel non-fiction, and biographies of figures like Harriet Tubman and Deborah Sampson Gannett and Eugenie Clark.

Reviews

[HeavyReader · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book repeatedly as a child, over and over and over again. I got it from an elementary school book order. I could remember the cover, but not the title or the author until april pulled it off a shelf at the St. Vincent de Paul thrift store in McMinnville, Oregon. I was happy to see this book again and didn't even have to have it, as long as I could log it on Goodreads.

[Karen Witzler · Rating 4 out of 5]

An important book from my childhood; Harriet Tubman/Araminta's stark, stubborn, holy courage was made real in these pages and continues to help me in small ways to this very day.

[Debi Cates · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this is the book I read in elementary school in the 1960s in New Mexico. I wasn't a big reader, but I somehow discovered that I loved books about amazing women (budding feminist that I was). There were very few to fit that bill on the library shelves at that time and that might explain why I didn't read a lot more until I was a young woman. Some kids need books they can relate to. Me, I needed real female heroes, otherwise I'd rather be outside playing.

I vividly remember one scene in the book that described an elderly, illiterate Tubman sitting on a bench when a Quaker (as I recall) came by and told her she was sitting under a poster for her capture, and possibly saved her life. It was harrowing to me. I wonder now if that was true or artistic license. I should research that.

[Update: No, not in this book. I just read it via Open Library and although this book is a good young reader's introduction to Harriet Tubman's life, there is another book, also available via OL, Freedom Train published in 1954 that does include a story about "friends" discovering her dozing on a park bench under a poster for her capture. It's just one line, but imagining that really stuck with me. Or maybe there is yet another older book I read.]

In the early 2000s, I visited my daughter in NY state and while driving we stopped by Tubman's post Civil War home in Auburn. It was really lovely. We went in Spring and there were daffodils blooming everywhere. Sadly, it was closing time, but I did get the honor to step briefly on the same ground she walked.

[Joseph Sarandrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Runaway Slave by Ann McGovern is an informational picture book illustrated by R.M. Powers, and is a fantastic way for children of all ages to learn about the life and struggle of a true hero, Harriet Tubman.

Runaway Slave opens with an authors note giving a brief summary of Harriet Tubmans background in order to help the story make sense. It is a minor detail in the book that really helps McGovern show how influential and important of a person Harriet Tubman was. The book then continues on with Harriett's story, beginning in her childhood while she was at her owner, Miss Susan’s house doing daily chores. The story talks about how she is whipped and beaten and gives a perspective of slaveship that creates empathy in the reader.

After being sold to another owner, Harriet decides she cannot put up with these living conditions anymore and hears of a way out, The Underground Railroad. The story continues on telling of her escape and heroic acts saving other slaves from living in harsh conditions.

The illustrations in Runaway Slave have a shadowy feel to them, emphasising the secrecy of this “Underground Railroad” the slaves escaped through. The pictures appear to be pressed on the page with blue ink and add a great illustrative touch to the story.

[Araksia Pendergast · Rating 5 out of 5]

1. Appropriate level: 2-7 Grade
2.Summary: Harriet Tubman is well known as a “conductor” on the Underground Railroad. Using a network of abolitionists and free people of color, she guided hundreds of slaves to freedom in the North and Canada. In 1862, Harriet arrived in Hilton Head, South Carolina, to aid Union troops during the Civil War.
3. Review: This is great book to learn about a slave who has fought for her freedom despite all the costs that come at her. Even though this journey was terrifying she never gave up on herself and she didn't give on others. because of Harriet Tubman's courage she was able to save over 100 people.
4. In class Use: This book teaches children a bout the life of a slave. It teaches the value of a person. Also it teaches that people are fighters.

[Reagan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read with my 8 yo daughter as part of school. The story of Harriet Tubman as told by Anne McGovern is inspiring and wholly appropriate for elementary age children on up. She does use the word negro, which gave me an opportunity to discuss the word with my daughter and why we don't use it today, and I would never consider that a reason to dismiss the book. Harriet is portrayed in the light of her bravery and her compassion for all people, for her desire to be free and see others freed despite the risk and hardship. This is a fabulous book to use as an intro to Harriet and the Underground Railroad for young readers.

[Melissa Housholder · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the enticing story of a true hero, Harriet Tubman. This book tells of all the things Harriet had to go through to get herself, her family and her friends to freedom. Powerful book. Wonderful illustrations.

[Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book in elementary school back in the mid 1980s to late 1980s. It had a profound impact on me at that time, although it probably took me years to realize.

[Alycia Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book! This book is pretty self explanatory, by the title. The book discusses how Harriet Tubman led hundreds of slaves to freedom, on the Underground Railroad.

[Gregg · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this after reading “the water dancer” and was amazed how little I knew about Harriet Tubman even from this 60s kids book

[Charles · Rating 5 out of 5]

In response to the public outcry to have a female in the American $20 bill, there was a survey, and the consensus was that Harriet Tubman should be on the new form of that currency. Yet, many people do not know the significant role that Tubman played in the removal of slavery from the American society.
She was born a slave and lived for many years under significant oppression until she was able to escape. Once she was free, rather than simply settle in one spot and agitate against slavery, Tubman risked her freedom and even her life in going back into slave states. Guiding runaway slaves back into the free states and often all the way to Canada. She was very much a wanted person, yet that did not deter her from her life’s mission.
While this book is short, it is complete in the sense that the reader is able to learn why she was so important in the movement to overturn the slave trade. Young people will come away understanding why she deserves the honor of being on one of the most widely used items of paper currency.

[Stephanie Duerr · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tubman a GREAT FEARLESS WOMAN

[Selby]

I have vivid memories of reading this book (I think it was this one) from Scholastic Books over and over, as another reviewer said. At this point in my life -- 4th or 5th grade -- I don't think I had ever met a Black person. Not that I remember anyway.