Moses

                                                Moses

Lexile Level: AD660L

            Moses by Carole Boston Weatherford, and illustrated by Kadir Nelson is a story about Harriet Tubman. This story has two voices. One voice is the Lord, and the other voice is the Harriet Tubman’s. This story tells how Harriet Tubman escaped to the north, and how she has help other refugees. In the book it tells how she had to overcome the pain to make it to the north. She had to leave her shoes behind, and there were cuts on her feet, but she kept moving forward. She says that the Lord has helped her move forward. When she arrives in the north, she says that she is a stranger in the north and that all of her family or friends are down south. This is when she makes it her mission to help.
Is this a good story?
            I think this is a really great story. Harriet Tubman was a very important person in our history. This story helps students relate to the story, and have some connection to Harriet Tubman. The only problematic part of this story is that it does bring in religion to the discussion, however, I think this important to the story because Harriet Tubman relied on her faith to get her through her journey. Even if students do not believe in that faith I think they can identify with believing in something to help you get through the day.
Did the main character overcome a problem? Did it seem natural?
            The main character found her own strength in the story, and she makes her journey to freedom. The story does not end there; she then helps bring other people to the north.
Is the setting authentic?
            The setting is very authentic. In most of the scenes the reader sees Harriet alone in the darkness, but when she gets to freedom the pictures are lighter. Harriet is still a lone, but everything in the pictures is lighter.
Did I feel like I was in that time and place?
            When I was reading this book, I felt like I was in that time and place. The book offers so many descriptions, and it helps the reader see what kind of journey Harriet Tubman had to go through.
            One thing I would discussion in the book is how Weatherford uses font for when the Lord is speaking. When the Lord talks the font is bigger and it almost looks whimsical as it flows across the page. I would talk as to why the other chose to do this instead of sticking to the regular font, and ask what purpose this has for the reader. Another thing I would point out is personification the author includes “God speaks through a babbling brook”. I would also discuss the dialogue between Harriet Tubman and God. I would discuss how we can add quotes to this and why the author chose not to add quotes.
            The illustrations by Nelson are brilliant. As I discussed above the illustrations are dark until Tubman is free. The illustrations also really represent what Tubman looked like. They show so much expression in the face of Tubman. When Tubman wishes to see her family again the illustration really shows the sadness in her face.
            A mini lesson I would do with students is have them write a letter to Tubman. In their letter I want them to focus on what they admire most about Tubman. I also want them to think of something they have in common with Tubman like caring traits, or strength, they should also write a short paragraph about this.

Citation:
Weatherford-Boston C. Nelson, K (illustrator). 2006. Moses. Jump at the Sun/Hyperion Books     for Children.