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The Story Of: A Biography Series for New Readers

The Story of Harriet Tubman: An Inspiring Biography for Young Readers

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Discover the life of Harriet Tubman―a story about courage, bravery, and freedom

Harriet Tubman became a celebrated leader in the fight to free people from slavery. Before that, she was a determined young girl who believed that everyone deserved to be free. Harriet Tubman bravely used the Underground Railroad―a network of secret routes and safe houses―to free herself and many other enslaved people. Explore how Harriet Tubman went from being a slave on a plantation in Maryland to one of the most important figures in American history. How will her courageous spirit inspire you?

This Harriet Tubman biography includes:

Path to freedom―Explore a visual timeline of Harriet’s life so you can see her progress over time.
Helpful definitions―Discover a glossary with easy-to-understand definitions for the more advanced words and ideas in the book.
Test your knowledge―Take a quiz to make sure you understand the who, what, where, when, why, and how of Harriet’s life.
If you’ve been searching for Harriet Tubman biographies for kids, look no further―this one has it all.

68 pages, Paperback

Published April 7, 2020

73 people are currently reading
139 people want to read

About the author

Christine Platt

55 books191 followers
Christine A. Platt is a historian and storyteller of the African diaspora. She holds a B.A. in Africana Studies from the University of South Florida, M.A. in African Studies from The Ohio State University and received her J.D. from Stetson University College of Law.

Her debut novel, The Truth About Awiti, was published under the penname CP Patrick and won the 2016 Independent Publisher Book Awards Gold Medal for Multicultural Fiction. The Truth About Awiti is currently used in high schools, colleges and universities to teach the history of the trans-Atlantic slave trade. Christine’s highly anticipated children series, Ana & Andrew, will be published on December 15, 2018 (ABDO Books/Calico Kids).

Christine currently serves as the Managing Director of the Antiracist Research & Policy Center at American University under the leadership of National Book Award-winning author, Dr. Ibram X. Kendi. She is a proud member of the Association of Black Women Historians and the Association for the Study of African American Life and History. Additionally, she is an Ambassador for Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture.

You can follow Christine on Instagram via @theafrominimalist, where she interacts with thousands of friends and fans on minimalism and, of course, books.

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
Profile Image for Miranda Reads.
1,786 reviews165k followers
November 14, 2025
description

...she was curious about another way she had heard people escape slavery - the Underground Railroad.
Harriet Tubman, born Araminta "Minty" Ross, is one of the most famous women in America's history.

But she was not always the strong woman that everyone knows and loves - once she was a child, just like you.

Though, her childhood was far different from yours. Minty was born a slave and belonged to the Brodess family. Her entire family belonged to them and they could not leave.

Minty burned with the injustice and eventually decided that she would one day escape. She never forgot what her father said to her:
He told her that people who wanted to escape slavery followed the North Star to freedom.
And when Minty grew up - and became Harriet Tubman - she decided to make a difference.
From the moment she crossed into Pennsylvania, Harriet loved the feeling of freedom.
Harriet returned again, and again to the South to lead her family and many others to freedom.

And no matter what the white slave owners tried to do, she'd find a way to evade it.
Because people who escaped slavery and who were caught in the North could be returned to their slave owners in the South, Harriet started taking people all the way to Canada.
Harriet Tubman truly was one of America's heroes and this book completely does her justice!

If you can't already tell, I LOVED reading this book.

It was so well done (and I'm absolutely LOVING) this Biography Book for New Readers series. I think I'm addicted to these GORGEOUS biography books.

There's so much to learn about Harriet Tubman - and this book provides an excellent introduction to her life.

The author didn't shy away from the difficult topic of slavery and its horrifying impact on Harriet's life.

Platt explained it in a very age-appropriate manner and provided an incredible educational view without glossing over the details.

I found myself learning so many new things and am now excited to find more books about this incredible woman.

The Underground Railroad aspect was brilliantly done - such an amazing journey and I'm impressed by how much was fit into such a short book.

I loved Myth & Fact section where the author cleared up several fictitious beliefs about slavery and Harriet's life.

Also, the illustrations were absolutely perfect. They truly enhanced the book and lifted it to just the top level.

All in all - this book was brilliant. Incredible and every positive word I can think of. I cannot recommend it enough!!

A HUGE thank you to Christine Platt, Rockridge Press and Callisto Publisher's Club for sending me a free copy in exchange for an honest review!

YouTube | Blog | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | Snapchat @miranda_reads
Profile Image for Bonnie DeMoss.
933 reviews183 followers
June 5, 2020
This is a great biography for children about Harriett Tubman. The story is fact filled and interesting, with a quiz and fact pages at the end. There's a surprising amount of information in 60 pages and it is written in a way kids can easily understand.

I received a free copy of this book from Callisto Media. My review is voluntary.
Profile Image for Laura.
3,243 reviews102 followers
March 31, 2020
Another book in the series of famous people for early readers. Nicely done, with a quiz at the end. All concepts are explained, and all myths about slavery are discussed.

Kids can learn about Harriet, and what she did to become famous, as a conductor on the Underground railroad. Each part of her life is short, but is told to drive home a message, such as how she was beaten by her master, and what she did once the civil war was over.

It seems odd that some of the myths might be believed by kids reading the book, such as the myth that people willingly came to American to be slaves.

Well done, and continue to recommend this series.

Thanks to Callisto Publishers Club for making this book available for an honest review.
Profile Image for Tom Law.
Author 11 books6 followers
March 27, 2020
Every generation needs heroes (and heroines). Their lives give us hope that the future can be better than the past.

It timely, that Harriet Tubman has become an icon for what a hero can be today. This heroine (female hero) not only shows us that the future can be better, but she demonstrates how we can actively crusade to make that happen.

Crusade is exactly was she did. She, time and again, risked her own life to save others. She spoke out about the cruelty of humanity and actively worked to change the laws which have kept certain groups – blacks and women – shackled.

Young people, girls and boys need role models. Christine Platt writes in such a way that young minds can grasp the transformative significance that one person can make. She highlights how Tubman, although a slave and a woman, broke those barriers and made the world better because she was here. May we all take up that mantle so that the world we leave will be better than that in which we were born.

Upon request the publisher sent me a copy of the book to review.
Profile Image for SOMDReigel.
1,127 reviews
April 2, 2020
Very well written biography of Harriet Tubman. A complete account of her life as well as how she free slaves. I really liked that it included her entire life (her childhood, her life as a slave, escaping, helping others become free, her assistance during the Civil War, opening a boarding house, and more). A lot of information but easy to understand. This beginner reader offers a Glossary, timelines throughout the book, Think About prompts, Myth vs Facts boxes, and an end of book quiz
ARC provided by publisher/Callisto Publishing Club
Profile Image for Morgan.
177 reviews10 followers
March 26, 2020
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher to leave an honest review.

“The Story of Harriet Tubman” was a wonderful route! I felt the author, Christine Platt, was very intentional with her story outline, and her vocabulary usage. I appreciate her consistent usage of “enslaved people” instead of “slaves”.

The general layout of the book is great! The illustrations are beautiful, and are on almost every single page bringing the information to life! There are great text features such as timelines or thinking questions that really help tie the whole story together too. The glossary and discussing questions and quiz all at the end of the book are greatly appreciated as well.

I teach upper elementary and feel that this book would be appropriate for second graders up through sixth graders, honestly. The information is good/detailed, but not gory. I learned quite a bit too about Harriet Tubman! Love this book! :)
Profile Image for Amy Navarre.
113 reviews
March 22, 2020
Thank you Callisto Publisher's Club and Rockridge Press for this free book. The following review contains my honest opinions.
This book is a good introduction to Harriet Tubman. The chapters are very short and concise. There is a timeline that runs through the book and a quiz toward the end. My favorite feature was the "Jump in the Think Tank" segments that asked questions to enhance creative thinking. I also enjoyed the Myth vs Fact Sections. Although this book is written for young children, I felt I learned while reading to my children.
Profile Image for Dawn.
1,571 reviews19 followers
March 17, 2020
I chose to read this book after receiving a free copy from the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased.

Harriet Tubman was an amazing woman who should be an inspiration to us all. This biography is written for young readers, and it not only teaches about Harriet Tubman but about some of the history of our country.

There are some extras included in The Story of Harriet Tubman that will encourage children to learn. Some of the words are bold which means they are in the glossary in the back. There are also maps, time lines, and graphics called “Myths vs. Facts.” Occasionally, there’s an arrow with “Jump in the Think Tank” suggestions, which encourage children to express how they might feel in the same situation. There’s a quiz at the end as well as additional Think Tank questions.

It’s important to teach youngsters about Harriet Tubman and other historical figures like her. She proved that just one person can make a difference. This is definitely a book that should be in every child’s library.
Profile Image for Jennifer Lynn.
102 reviews
March 21, 2020
This is another solid installment in Rockridge Press's Biography for New Readers series. Like the other books in the series, this book includes a glossary for unfamiliar terms, eye-catching illustrations, a timeline throughout to reinforce order of key events in the life of Harriet Tubman and the United States, and some "Think Tank" questions to encourage engagement with the text.

The content is excellent. I learned quite a bit about Harriet Tubman beyond the very basic lore from my own elementary school days over two decades ago. Platt did a phenomenal job of explaining Tubman's early life and accomplishments as a hero and activist in a way that should be digestible to young minds. Comparing to others in this series however, I found myself disappointed with the quantity and frankly the quality of the "Think Tank" questions peppering the text. I think there was some missed opportunity there to connect the story of Tubman's life for today's children.

Overall, solid 4 stars. Excellent content, just fell a bit short when looking at the "extras" in the series.

Thank you to the publisher for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Profile Image for Sasha.
491 reviews
January 4, 2021
Sheros? Really? 🙄 I was hoping this book would be good, but it is really just annoying the way it is written. And what is a shero? Does the author have a problem with the word heroine?
Profile Image for J.
3,956 reviews33 followers
April 1, 2024
I had a bit of high hopes for this but then again all I needed was to read the information that the author chose to share about slavery to get my hackles raised.

In The Story of Harriet Tubman, the reader is introduced to the historical personage of Harriet Tubman through her traits and the world that she grew up in. As is with the series, the book explores the titular person further in eight chapters that breakdown her life through her early years, how she became free, her work of freedom for others, her military service and also what she did after the Civil War.

The rest of the book has thoughtful questions scattered throughout the telling although in one it asks the reader what they think it would feel like to be sent away from their family to work for strangers, which is an apt question that they can truthfully once they have grown up and began to work on their own in a job where they may not know anyone getting started out (I know this isn't the same type of scenario as what the author was suggesting but it is how things work now in the modern times as well although we do get paid). Anyway in the myth versus fact inserts provided for this book the myths were really ridiculous while leaving me scratching my head while wondering whoever thought in these myths in the first place for anyone reading or learning history would have known there was no reason for anyone to believe in those myths to begin with.

Furthermore the book has a glossary in the back to describe all the words that were in bold format throughout the book as well as a timeline with important dates at the end of each chapter. And to further help the reader to understand what they learned about in the reading there is included in the back a quiz as well as a legacy-type page that explains how her contributions have helped the United States as we are living in it now.

Now to return to my complaints I loved how much time was spent on describing slavery as if the reader probably hadn't come upon it before. But that isn't my issue.... The author chose to make sure to mention that Africans were captured and sold into slavery although not acknowledging that the original people to do that were other Africans usually. Furthermore she also made sure to highlight the fact that it was mainly white people of European ancestry who mainly used black people of African ancestry as slave labor with no nod to the fact that there were other slave owners and also slaves of different skin colors but then again that wouldn't help the message to clarify history up for children right that history isn't all clear cut in right and wrong?

Another part that I found was incorrect in the book was the fact that the author chose to explain her head injury as the result of her stepping in to stop another runaway slave from being punished upon their capture when in fact a lead weight had been thrown at a runaway slave that had hit her instead. Furthermore there was no mention also of her carrying a pistol that she would use use to intimidate some of her passengers on the railroad or that she changed her name after her marriage.

Otherwise this book could be used as an introductory read for children who are learning about Harriet Tubman but honestly I would try to find other books with the information for this one leaves much to be desired in my opinion.

**I received a free copy of this book through the publisher in exchange for an honest review.**
Profile Image for Panda Incognito.
4,709 reviews95 followers
July 24, 2023
This chapter book biography about Harriet Tubman shares key information about her life in slavery, her escape, her many trips back into the South to rescue others, her work during the Civil War, and her advocacy and charity work later in life. The illustrations are nice, and the book includes map images to help kids understand her travels.

The author also makes multiple mentions of Tubman's faith, which is essential to the story, and she represents Tubman's beliefs that God spoke to her in visions without making a judgment about this. This book isn't perfect, and I found the myth vs. fact sidebars distracting here, since most of the myths aren't anything that a young child would be thinking anyway, but the book is great overall and is very thorough.

This book also includes a timeline that builds throughout the book, a quiz, a glossary at the end, and open-ended discussion questions.

I received a free copy from the publisher through Amazon Vine in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Sage Nestler.
Author 8 books117 followers
April 15, 2020
All I can say is that I am IN LOVE with this biography! The biography is written for children, but I thoroughly enjoyed it as an adult. The illustrations are so lovely, and the author doesn't talk down to their audience. Harriet Tubman is such an important American figure, and I am overjoyed to find a children's biography that does her justice. This book makes an excellent gift for any child or young adult who loves to read and learn. But what I loved most about this book was that it made learning fun and unique, and I think that it is a must-have for any classroom or setting where children are present. Thank you so much to the author for your beautiful work!

*I received this book in exchange for an honest review.
312 reviews7 followers
March 31, 2020
Who was Araminta Rose? Harriet Tubman! Born into slavery, Minty started work at the age of 5. That didn't stop her being determined from a very young age to free herself and her family. What happened when Minty stole a sugar cube? When the Fugitive Slave Law came into effect where did Harriet have to take/lead people?

This book with its Myth and Fact boxes, colorful timelines and so much more deserves a place in everyone's library. Written for the independent reader it is suitable for the older child who wants to learn about Harriet. his is a woman who truly helped change the course of history in a beneficial way. EXCELLENT! I was provided a copy of the book by the publisher. Thanks, Liz
311 reviews8 followers
April 11, 2020
Before our current administration banned the efforts, Harriet Tubman was to be the new hero and Founding Mother on the $20 bill. Christine Platt does Ms. Tubman justice in this fabulous bio for first chapter readers, and Loris Lora's colorful illustrations complement the prose wonderfully. In addition to great text, there are timelines, "myth & fact" boxes, maps, bold words throughout the book and a glossary to define them, a multiple choice quiz at the end, and questions to "jump into the think tank" and delve deeper into the story. Educational, inspirational, and fun.
Thanks, Callisto, for the review copy!
66 reviews
November 10, 2021
This picture book is about a young courageous, brave woman named Harriet Tubman and how she did the impossible to help people gain their freedom. She was able to show the world a person can make a difference and change the future.
The illustration of the book was unique as well. The pictures were grasp one attention and you can almost feel the movements and the determination of the characters throughout the book. I loved how they bold some words and had the meaning of them in the back. The author also included a page in the end called Myths vs. Facts.
Profile Image for Amber.
42 reviews5 followers
April 24, 2020
Great early reader to learn more about Harriet Tubman’s life. Christine Platt writes in a way that presents honest information in an age appropriate way for young readers, and I highly suggest this title!

Thank you to the author and Callisto Publishers for an advanced copy of this book.
Profile Image for Aleisha.
468 reviews12 followers
November 29, 2020
Wonderful! I love Harriet Tubman. What an exceptional advocate and humanitarian. ❤️
Author 1 book1 follower
March 27, 2021
I read this with my son and we both enjoyed it. Great length for several sittings or one and just enough information to teach and hold children's attentions. Beautiful illustrations.
80 reviews
May 4, 2021
This books gives young readers insight about Harriet Tubman's life and all she did to help other escape to freedom.
Six Traits: ideas
Guided Reading Level: G
Lexile Measure: 250L
37 reviews1 follower
December 31, 2021
I read this book as an adult to vet for grade school students, and it was awesome! The author does great job approaching complex topics with a kid friendly lens.
Profile Image for Laura.
749 reviews4 followers
August 18, 2025
Love reading this series with my kids. I learned so much about Harriet Tubman from this book. She is very inspiring.
Profile Image for Victoria Sanchez.
Author 1 book32 followers
December 17, 2020
A good biography for early readers, this chapter book introduces Harriet Tubman (Sheroes series) and covers hard history and personal details in an age-appropriate way. This would be a great addition to any K - 2 classroom and interesting to older reluctant readers. This is a small thing but I applaud the publisher's choice to name this series "Sheroes" -- explicitly telling children that women "heroes" exist is important. Though more books about women are showing up in kidlit (and many more about women of color), until there are an equal number, the more reminders kids get, the better.
Profile Image for AMY.
2,821 reviews
March 29, 2022
32 pgs. This is a wonderful book that explores the life of Harriet Tubman. The illustrations throughout help to explain the text well. I learned a lot about her. I liked how the author includes maps and other helpful illustrations. The book is well-written and easy to follow. It is an inspiring story that kids will enjoy. Highly recommended for Grades 3-5.
Profile Image for Hope Irvin Marston.
Author 36 books14 followers
January 22, 2021
An attractive, easy reader chapter book with outstanding illustrations that tell the story of this brave woman simply and completely.

Hope Irvin Marston, author of the Charlotte Award 2021 nominee, THE WALLS HAVE EARS A BLACK SPY IN THE CONFEDERATE WHITE HOUSE.
Profile Image for Melissa.
749 reviews
April 2, 2020
Good early chapter book with the basics of Harriet Tubman's life.
Profile Image for Lisa Mays.
201 reviews5 followers
September 12, 2023
This was well written. Easy for younger kids to follow and gather information. Love the illustrations.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews

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