Write for a Reader

Last week was a great week for us here at school.  Our librarian received a $10,000 Title I book order!  It was so much fun going through all of the books.  This is one of them, that I thought was really neat.

Title:  An Apple for Harriet Tubman

Author:  Glennette Tilley Turner

Illustrator:  Susan Keeter

Review Copy Provided by:  Willbern Elementary Library

Summary from Book Jacket:  In her master’s orchard, young Harriet Tubman spent long hours picking the juicy apples she loved but was forbidden to eat.  When she was grown, she made her escape from slavery to the North.  Then, repeatedly risking her life, she returned to lead many other enslaved African-Americans to freedom. 

Many people know about Harriet Tubman’s courage and daring.  But few know about her love for apples and the freedom they symbolized.

Glennette Tilley Turner learned this previously untold story from Harriet Tubman’s own great-niece.

My Review:  This is a sweet biographical story that gives insight inot a part of Tubman’s life that readers may not have known about.  Turner uses great vocabulary to aid in the readers’ understanding of the Underground Railroad.  For example, Tubman was the “conductor” (leader) and the slaves were the “passengers.”  The language is simple enough for even the young reader to understand.  There is a great message of never giving up on your goals.  That is expressed in Tubman’s dialogue.  “One day I’m going to be free and I’m going to have all the apples I want.”  This would be a great book to use during Black History month, a study of slavery, the Underground Railroad, famous African American women, or famous women in history.  Teachers in grades K-5 could find a use for An Apple for Harriet Tubman.  The illustrations by Susan Keeter add so much to the story.  They appear to be watercolors.  I really enjoyed seeing another part of Tubman that I did not know existed.