Escape North! The Story of Harriet Tubman

by Monica Kulling, Teresa Flavin (Illustrator)

An easy-to-read, page-turning account of Harriet Tubman's life--from her childhood in slavery to her years as a conductor on the Underground Railroad to her later work as a suffragette and as a spy in the Civil War. This remarkable true story brings to life one of America's greatest female role models.

Genres: History, Biography, Childrens, Nonfiction, Historical, Picture Books, American History

48 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 2000

About the author

Monica Kulling was born in Vancouver, British Columbia. She received a BA in creative writing from the University of Victoria. Monica Kulling has published twenty-six fiction and nonfiction books for children, including picture books, poetry, and biographies. She is best known for introducing biography to children just learning to read and has written about Harriet Tubman, Houdini, Eleanor Roosevelt, and Amelia Earhart among others. Monica Kulling lives in Toronto, Canada.

Reviews

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This easy reader is about Harriet Tubman's life. I think I liked it more than my son did. There are a couple places that may be difficult for really young children to understand: First, she leaves her husband to escape. Second, while working to help slave escape north, she pulled a gun on a man who was scared to go further. But it also says things like she came back south to help her parents escape, so it is not all sad.

[Jessica Guzman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is about the life of Harriet Tubman. The book tells key points of her childhood all the way to her death at age 93. It explains how the Underground Railroad came about and how it got its name. It explains how Harriet escaped with the help of Quakers. Although she nearly got caught twice on her escape to freedom, she kept going back, putting herself in danger to free other slaves.

This book could be used in elementary classes 2-5th. This book does a really good job at keeping things authentic. There are references to old spiritual songs that the slaves would sing "Go Down, Moses" as well as customs slaves had such as "jumping the broom." The story doesn't sugar coat facts about how Harriet was abused and beaten. It does not shy away from the fact that Harriet threatened to shoot any of her "passengers" who tried to run back. It also explains how the Quakers, the religious people who believed owning another human being was wrong, helped Harriet and built safe houses in Delaware. Because this book also talks about how Harriet helped during the civil war by being a spy and a nurse, teachers could use it when teaching about the civil war.

[Rosalie Beyer-Krohn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book chronicles Harriet Tubman’s life along with her contributions to the Underground Railroad. The topic of slavery and the historical importance of the civil war is detailed alongside Harriet’s numerous trips to free over 300 slaves with the assistance of those sympathetic to her cause.

Genre: Historical Fiction - Although this book provides factual information about Harriet Tubman's life and involvement with the Underground Railroad, it uses elements of fiction to make the text into an engaging narrative.

Reading Level: N

Writing Mentor Trait: Voice - Harriet Tubman's voice is clearly present through Monica Kulling's writing. The text really helps us see into Harriet's mind and understand how she was feeling throughout the various events of the book. Students could use this book as a mentor text for getting into the mindset of a historical figure and conveying that individual's voice in their writing.

Other Classroom Uses: This book would naturally work well to support the study of slavery and the Underground Railroad. It would also make a great addition to Black History Month activities.

[Jacelyn Neuleib · Rating 5 out of 5]

This books tells the story of the formerly enslaved person and Underground Railroad conductor Harriet Tubman. The books begins by telling about Harriet Tubman's experience growing up as a slave, how she changed her name and all of the excruciating work that she did. Next, the book tells about Harriet's marriage and how her father, Daddy Ben, had always known that Harriet would escape slavery and how he taught her to use nature to find North. Next, the books tells about Harriet's own dangerous escape and how she bravely volunteered to be the first female Underground Railroad conductor. The books next tells about the Civil War, Harriet's failing health, and how she wrote to the women leading the suffrage movement advising them to stick together.

[Taylor Armey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a good book about the life of Harriet Tubman. She was an amazing women who not only fought for her freedom but went back and helped other slaves escape too. This was a well written book about the time period when people were slaves. I love how the pictures are illustrated to represent this time period. This book was hard to read because of the terrible things slaves had went through. However, it is good for children to understand the extent of what happened to slaves and how terrible it really was.

[Doris Lucas · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is an informative book about the life of Harriet Tubman. It talked about her family and all of the survival skills that her parents taught her. This book also discussed her childhood and the things that she went through such as being hit by a weight. I love how this book is filled with pictures for younger readers. This book is great for first and second graders and for black history month.

[Courtney · Rating 5 out of 5]

My children love these little books. They thoroughly enjoy each and every story, as if they are all unique and individual without any cause for similarity among them. Even though sometimes, they might seem tedious and repetitive to me as a parent, I do enjoy being able to read short-stories to my children that are clean and respective.

[Raphy D · Rating 4 out of 5]

This biography is great. This made me think about black history and rights. I personally think slavery and slave masters are terrible Things. I was in awe when I read about the Underground Railroad. I felt extremely sad for Harriet Tubman when I read that she was hit in the head by a rock. I would recommend that you read this book .

[Sarah Kaiser · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fascinating true story about Harriet Tubman and everything she did during the turmoil of the pre-Civil War era. This would be a great story to have in a classroom, as it is educational and inspirational at the same time. I think it could inspire students to always fight for their freedom, no matter what opposition they face.

[Jo Oehrlein · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good biography of Harriet Tubman.
This is a level 4, so not easy easy.
The author is good at presenting information without talking down to the reader.

[Christy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Surveys the life of Harriet Tubman, including her childhood in slavery and her later work in helping other slaves escape north to freedom through the Underground Railroad.

[Madelyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quick and informative. Good synopsis

Read in 15 minutes and get a good quick summary
Would recommend for grade 1 or 2.
Well written and accessible for a heavy topic

[Congetta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Though called “Moses of Her People” I think Harriet was more brave then Moses. She married a man that seemed to lack courage as he didn’t want any trouble. He even threatened to tell on her if she continued to discuss running away. She saved a man that reacted like the Israelites did after escaping Egypt. He didn’t want to run away as he preferred slavery and bondage over the uncertainty of trying to get to freedom. She had to threaten him with a gun to continue moving forward to freedom.

I’m surprised that she is not brought up more often as a fine example of a strong woman. The focus today seems to be on the negatives of this time period of which there are many. She is an excellent role model for all and she chose not to be a victim. She is a great warrior.

I also liked hearing about the survival skills taught to her by her father.

[Claire Wang · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's not a good idea to escape the north.

[Nikki in Niagara · Rating 3 out of 5]

An easy reader chapter book briefly tells the story of Harriet Tubman's life and her heroic deeds to save other slaves by bringing them to Canada and later on her part in the Civil War. A good majority of the book is spent on her life as a child, and life before she escaped slavery so children can get to know her as a person first before they learn she is a hero. My only quibble is that the whole Canadian connection is skipped. The word Canada appears once in the book "take the group on to Canada".

Fortunately we live very close to where she lived in Canada and were able to visit the church where Tubman brought the slaves on (I forget whether it was 17 or 19) separate journeys she made down south and back again via the Underground Railroad.

[Jennifer Bean]

This is a good book which gives an historical account of what it was like to be an African American slave, particulary Harriet tubman, during Civil War times. The illustrations help enhance the young reader's comprehension.

Instructional possibilities:

Individual, parner or group reading

Use as a research tool for writing a report on Harriet Tubman or the Civil War.

After reading, use response questions to enhance what the students have read.

Have student draw a story map of Harriet Tubman's journey north to freedom

[Children's Literature Project · Rating 5 out of 5]

Guided Reading Level N.
Illustrated by Teresa Flavin

Harriet Tubman was a slave who ran to the north through the underground railroad. She traveled back to the south and lead over 300 people to freedom. This book talks about her childhood, escape methods her father taught her and her connections that enabled her to lead so many people to freedom.

This book is great for 1st and 2nd grade and for black history month.

[Disha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the book for more than one reason. The illustration by Teresa flavin is amazing.escape north writer has many facets which makes it interesting read even for adults. It has covered some historic info along with emphasis on qualities that kids need to develop. selflessness, courage, dreaming the impossible-the story of Harriet Tubman is worth a read. The book describes the slavery system and the fight against it aptly.

[Sarah Leesman · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a very informative book about the life of Harriet Tubman. It talked about her family and all of the survival skills that her parents taught her. It also talked about her childhood and the things that she went through such as being hit by a weight. This book is filled with pictures and has eight chapters. It is a great informational book about the life of Harriet Tubman.

[Aaron Alexander · Rating 3 out of 5]

This would be a good book for first through third grade students to learn the story of Harriet Tubman and how she helped many slaves escape to freedom. It is a fairly long chapter book so it would mainly be used by more advanced readers in first grade in second grade.

[Explorations in Literacy]

An interesting unit for this book that evaluates a variety of historical perspectives: http://www.readwritethink.org/classro...

Lesson 3 even implements a nonfiction text - The Fugitive Slave Bill of 1850 - for comparative purposes.

[Shelli · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some of the information given about Harriet Tubman is contrary to what I have read in other books. However, the book was written in a way that elementary age students 3rd grade and up can read and learn a bit about this amazing woman in our nation’s history.

[Flannery · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like this book because I lernd alout from the book.

[Horace Mann Family Reading Challenge · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wanted to learn something new, that is why i chose this book. J.

[Gerri L. Hokamp · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review from a senior citizen

Wonderful book! I loved it and I'm 66 years old! Pictures were awesome and text was precise and well written.