This quintessential middle grade biography of Harriet Tubman now features a foreword written and read by National Book Award finalist Jason Reynolds and additional new material. A selection of the Schomburg Center's Black Liberation Reading List.
Harriet Tubman: Conductor on the Underground Railroad was praised by the New Yorker as “an evocative portrait,” and by the Chicago Tribune as “superb.” It is a gripping and accessible portrait of the heroic woman who guided more than 300 slaves to freedom and who is expected to be the face of the new $20 bill.
Harriet Tubman was born a slave and dreamed of being free. She was willing to risk everything—including her own life—to see that dream come true. After her daring escape, Harriet became a conductor on the secret Underground Railroad, helping others make the dangerous journey to freedom.
This award-winning introduction to the late abolitionist, which was named an ALA Notable Book and a New York Times Outstanding Book, also includes a supplemental PDF with educational back matter such as a timeline, discussion questions, and extension activities.
©1955 Ann Petry; copyright renewed 1983 Ann Petry; foreword copyright 2018 Jason Reynolds (P)2018 HarperCollins Publishers
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"With the movie Tubman coming out in theatres I thought it would be a good idea to read more about Harriet and I was not disappointed. While I was very aware that she was one of the main conductors of the Underground Railroad I was very ignorant to the facts behind her bravery, and also to the fact the underground railroad was neither an actual railroad or underground to begin with. I had no idea of all her other accomplishments and how truly inspiring of a woman she was. Such a great book, great reader, and truly inspirational story. You will not be disappointed! "
— Calvin (5 out of 5 stars)
“Told with insight, style, and a fine narrative skill.”
— New York Times“A superb biography. The vitality of this remarkable woman leaps from every page.”
— Chicago Tribune“An unusually well-written and moving life of the ‘Moses of her people.’ ”
— Horn Book“An evocative portrait.”
— New Yorker" One of my top ten books. Harriet was an amazing woman, an inspiration for all. Her story brings tears to your eyes when you learn of her life in slavery. My 7 year old is reading all about her and she has become a heroine in our home. "
— Lori, 1/15/2014" this was a good book it was long but a good story that i enjoyed about harriet tubman "
— Elijah, 12/20/2013" An easy read for all. My 10 year old son loved this book as well as me. "
— Jess, 11/30/2013" wonderful biography of an amazing woman! "
— TC, 11/4/2013" I think this book is a good book,every middle school student should read this book.:D "
— Shanice, 10/29/2013" This book is very complex, but is also interesting as you go along and build an understanding of it. "
— Rodney, 9/19/2013" Read in elementary school; I loved Harriet Tubman!! "
— Tracy, 8/8/2013" it was okay kinda boring "
— Juliette, 7/13/2013" i would only read this for a class project. very educational and somewhat exciting "
— Alicia, 6/7/2013" A moderately interesting educational book about Harriet Tubman. Good for younger readers who want to learn more about Harriet Tubman. "
— Chelsea, 5/20/2013" So I've really only read about 10 pages of this with my 8th graders...how are kids supposed to fully appreciate books & stories when all they ever read are excerpts? "
— Jessica, 3/1/2013" I really hate historical fiction books but last year my sevvy social studies teacher forced us to read this and Johnny Tremain "
— Madi, 12/20/2012" Just read Harriet Tubman ~ Conductor on the Underground Railroad by Ann Petry. We've all heard the stories, but WOW, what a woman - she is truly a Founding Mother of our Nation; the influence she had on policy makers, abolitionists, and our Nation's struggle with Civil Rights is unfathomable. "
— Brian, 12/1/2012" This is for school--I'm slightly embarrassed. "
— Sam, 8/12/2012" Harriet can do so much better than John "
— Cameron, 7/29/2012" An engaging book about a wonderful historic figure. Could be a great help in teaching about slavery and the civil war. May need to be used as a read-aloud for the younger grades. "
— Ariellathomas, 7/24/2012" I think this was the book that I was obsessed with in the third grade-- I've proabably read it more than any other book and it likely jumpstarted my love of history and historical fiction. "
— Courtney, 7/3/2012" I read this book in a day out of necessity caused by procrastination, so my view of the book is admittedly a little warped. I enjoyed the information given, but the way it was presented made it more tedious to read in one day than other biographies I've read. "
— Angélique, 2/16/2012" DON'T READ THIS BOOK! Such a waste! (Sorry anyone who likes it, but I personally think it is extremely boring!) "
— Camilla, 4/26/2011" I think this book is a good book,every middle school student should read this book.:D "
— Shanice, 4/11/2011" A moderately interesting educational book about Harriet Tubman. Good for younger readers who want to learn more about Harriet Tubman. "
— Chelsea, 2/14/2011" Just read Harriet Tubman ~ Conductor on the Underground Railroad by Ann Petry. We've all heard the stories, but WOW, what a woman - she is truly a Founding Mother of our Nation; the influence she had on policy makers, abolitionists, and our Nation's struggle with Civil Rights is unfathomable. "
— Brian, 1/23/2011" this was a good book it was long but a good story that i enjoyed about harriet tubman <br/> "
— Elijah, 12/23/2010" Harriet can do so much better than John "
— Cameron, 12/21/2010" This book is very complex, but is also interesting as you go along and build an understanding of it. "
— Rodney, 12/20/2010" wonderful biography of an amazing woman! "
— TC, 5/13/2010" DON'T READ THIS BOOK! Such a waste! (Sorry anyone who likes it, but I personally think it is extremely boring!) "
— Camilla, 2/19/2010" An engaging book about a wonderful historic figure. Could be a great help in teaching about slavery and the civil war. May need to be used as a read-aloud for the younger grades. "
— Ariellathomas, 4/13/2009" Read in elementary school; I loved Harriet Tubman!! "
— Tracy, 4/6/2009Ann Petry (1908–1997), a black novelist and short-story writer, was one of America’s most distinguished authors. Her first published story appeared in 1943 in Crisis, a magazine published monthly by the NAACP. Her first novel, The Street, was published in 1946 and earned her the Houghton Mifflin Literary Fellowship. She wrote two more novels as well as numerous short stories, articles, and children’s books.
Robin Miles, named a Golden Voice by AudioFile magazine, has twice won the prestigious Audie Award for Best Narration, an Audie Award for directing, and many Earphones Awards. Her film and television acting credits include The Last Days of Disco, Primary Colors, Law & Order: Criminal Intent, Law & Order, New York Undercover, National Geographic’s Tales from the Wild, All My Children, and One Life to Live. She regularly gives seminars to members of SAG and AFTRA actors’ unions, and in 2005 she started Narration Arts Workshop in New York City, offering audiobook recording classes and coaching. She holds a BA degree in theater studies from Yale University, an MFA in acting from the Yale School of Drama, and a certificate from the British American Drama Academy in England.
Jason Reynolds is a #1 New York Times bestselling author, a Newbery Award Honoree, a Printz Award Honoree, a two-time National Book Award finalist, a Kirkus Award winner, a Carnegie Medal winner, a two-time Walter Dean Myers Award winner, an NAACP Image Award Winner, and the recipient of multiple Coretta Scott King honors. He is also the 2020–2021 National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature. His many books include Long Way Down, which received a Newbery Honor, a Printz Honor, and a Coretta Scott King Honor. You can find his ramblings at JasonWritesBooks.com.