Harriet Tubman, Force of Nature: A Biography in Poems

Gr 3-7–A picture book biography, beautifully told in rhythmic poetry. This meticulously researched account of Harriet Tubman’s life (1822–1913) successfully translates historically accurate facts into 30 compelling poems that are poignant and thought-provoking. Titles like “What Slavery Says,” and “The End of Play” reflect her early years, while “Stealing Away,” and “Oh, Oh, Freedom!” recount her long and relentless journey. Perhaps the most potent poem, “Freedom-bound, Underground,” reflects a turning point in Tubman’s life when she takes the dangerous path to return to the South in 1850 to save others. In future years, Tubman continued to wear many hats of freedom. Poems reflect her part as scout and spy for the Union Army, a nurse to wounded Black soldiers, and more. As these poems celebrate her powerful vision of freedom, so does the addition of inventive collage illustrations. Brewer uses several types of cut paper, natural objects, and photos that she enhances with oil pastels, colored pencils, chalk, markers, and acrylic paint. This title is an amazing read-aloud that can stand alone or be used with students to complement other stories, such as Alan Schroeder’s Minty: A Story of Young Harriet Tubman, Carole Boston Weatherford’s Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom, and Lesa Cline-Ransome’s Before She Was Harriet. A glossary, index, bibliography, map, and historical photos complete the extensive back matter.