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moxiegirlzriot's review against another edition
5.0
A lovely short look into one of our nation's heroes, Harriet Tubman. Perfect for younger readers needing a first look into, not only Harriet's "Moses" days, but also her time working for the Union as a nurse and spy.
meezcarrie's review against another edition
5.0
“The Underground Railroad’s powerful engine of people helping people was like a quiet storm that came through the whispers of generous folks saying, ‘Together we can!'”
When I was in elementary school, the public library in Rockford, Illinois, had a fabulous summer reading program. We didn’t just get points for each book we read – we had so many books in different categories to check off before we got prizes. Like, Caldecott winners, Newbery winners, plays, poetry, mysteries, biographies, etc. And one summer I distinctly remember reading a biography of Harriet Tubman, who quickly became one of my heroes. She remains one to this day, so I was excited to read this She Persisted book about her!
Despite the fact that it’s geared for ages 6-9 (or grades 1-4), I actually learned some things I didn’t already know. For instance, her middle name meant ‘prayer and protection’, and her childhood nickname ‘Minty’ was based on this beautiful name. I also didn’t realize that Harriet spent many years fighting for women’s rights, too. She Persisted: Harriet Tubman honors her story & her legacy well while introducing children to a true role model for courage and persistence.
There’s a lot of great information packed into this little book, but its story-like prose and warm illustrations make it accessible & entertaining to young readers. The author approaches slavery honestly without being graphic. The text doesn’t shy away (in an age-appropriate manner) from the cruelty that went along with being owned by someone else, while also emphasizing that it didn’t affect the enslaved people’s value as human beings “with dignity, self-respect, and intelligence.” Discussions about The Underground Railroad introduce children to the fact that kind people stood up for what was right & helped hide enslaved people who were escaping to freedom – I loved the way the Underground Railroad was presented and hope that learning about it inspires young readers like it did me when I first discovered it on the pages of a book.
Bottom Line: Harriet Tubman continues to be one of my heroes, and Andrea Davis Pinkney’s approach to her biography for elementary aged children even taught me some things too. I really appreciated that Harriet’s faith wasn’t overlooked and that it focuses on more than ‘just’ her work with the Underground Railroad, circling back to the idea that looking at only one aspect of your life does not fully define you – despite how society may want to box you in to a specific label or definition. Gillian Flint’s illustrations are delightful and help bring Harriet to life on the pages. Readers young and old alike will enjoy getting to know more about this brave & determined woman in She Persisted: Harriet Tubman.
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
first reviewed at Reading Is My SuperPower
When I was in elementary school, the public library in Rockford, Illinois, had a fabulous summer reading program. We didn’t just get points for each book we read – we had so many books in different categories to check off before we got prizes. Like, Caldecott winners, Newbery winners, plays, poetry, mysteries, biographies, etc. And one summer I distinctly remember reading a biography of Harriet Tubman, who quickly became one of my heroes. She remains one to this day, so I was excited to read this She Persisted book about her!
Despite the fact that it’s geared for ages 6-9 (or grades 1-4), I actually learned some things I didn’t already know. For instance, her middle name meant ‘prayer and protection’, and her childhood nickname ‘Minty’ was based on this beautiful name. I also didn’t realize that Harriet spent many years fighting for women’s rights, too. She Persisted: Harriet Tubman honors her story & her legacy well while introducing children to a true role model for courage and persistence.
There’s a lot of great information packed into this little book, but its story-like prose and warm illustrations make it accessible & entertaining to young readers. The author approaches slavery honestly without being graphic. The text doesn’t shy away (in an age-appropriate manner) from the cruelty that went along with being owned by someone else, while also emphasizing that it didn’t affect the enslaved people’s value as human beings “with dignity, self-respect, and intelligence.” Discussions about The Underground Railroad introduce children to the fact that kind people stood up for what was right & helped hide enslaved people who were escaping to freedom – I loved the way the Underground Railroad was presented and hope that learning about it inspires young readers like it did me when I first discovered it on the pages of a book.
Bottom Line: Harriet Tubman continues to be one of my heroes, and Andrea Davis Pinkney’s approach to her biography for elementary aged children even taught me some things too. I really appreciated that Harriet’s faith wasn’t overlooked and that it focuses on more than ‘just’ her work with the Underground Railroad, circling back to the idea that looking at only one aspect of your life does not fully define you – despite how society may want to box you in to a specific label or definition. Gillian Flint’s illustrations are delightful and help bring Harriet to life on the pages. Readers young and old alike will enjoy getting to know more about this brave & determined woman in She Persisted: Harriet Tubman.
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
first reviewed at Reading Is My SuperPower
kayereadsalot's review against another edition
5.0
I feel like I learn a new tidbit everytime I read or watch something about Harriet Tubman. I've been a "fan" (for lack of a better word) of Moses and her work since I did a book report on her in the 3rd grade. So, yes, I will read literally anything written about Harriet Tubman. And I think you all should too.
funnygrl77's review against another edition
5.0
Audiobook version: narrated by Bindi Turpin
Fantastic deeper dive into Harriet’s life and achievements in a way that is approachable for children and adults. Love the activities given at the end of the book to go on a deeper dive. Must have for classrooms and libraries.
Fantastic deeper dive into Harriet’s life and achievements in a way that is approachable for children and adults. Love the activities given at the end of the book to go on a deeper dive. Must have for classrooms and libraries.
jennybeastie's review against another edition
4.0
Biography of Harriet Tubman, strongly based on her own words. The writing is lyrical and feels like a spoken word piece -- I can hear Andrea Davis Pinkney reading it in my head, and that is delightful. Brings a strong woman from history to life.
mutuallyinclusive's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
4.0
I have to admit, I am late to the party with the She Persisted series. For those of you who missed the memo like me, She Persisted: 13 American Women Who Changed the World is a picture book that was published back in 2017, written by Chelsea Clinton and illustrated by Alexandra Boiger. With a title inspired by a feminist rally cry (accidently coined by Mitch McConnell of all people), this picture book shared inspiring stories of 13 women who continued to persist and follow their dreams to accomplish extraordinary achievements. This book was followed up by two more picture books, She Persisted Around the World (published in 2018) and She Persisted in Sports (published in 2020).
I was so excited to find this series this year, because it’s a fantastic introduction to lots of different female role models and the concept of feminism as a whole. But I was even more excited to learn that Philomel Books is continuing the series in chapter books! There will be 13 books in the series released this year, one dedicated to each woman mentioned in the original picture book She Persisted: 13 American Women Who Changed the World.
I am thrilled to have the opportunity to review the first release in the chapter book series, She Persisted: Harriet Tubman, written by Andrea Davis Pinkney.
I know many of us are familiar with Harriet Tubman, but this book is perfect for young readers to learn more about her story.
Starting at her birth on the Edward Brodess plantation in Dorchester, Maryland, She Persisted: Harriet Tubman follows our heroine throughout the struggles of her childhood of being “rented” to cruel people. In six chapters, we learn about how Harriet Tubman grew up and escaped slavery, and how she risked her freedom to ensure others had theirs.
This book does not shy away from the ugly truths of slavery (including the traumatic brain injury Harriet Tubman suffered, causing a lifetime of seizures and hypersomnia), but cruelty and violence is introduced in an age-appropriate manner. I really appreciate the attention to Harriet’s disability, because I feel like this fact is often left out of her story.
There is an additional chapter at the end of the book with a list of activities for young readers to honor Harriet Tubman’s bravery, which I thought was a great idea to inspire children to take their reading a step further.
I absolutely loved this book and would highly recommend it for any young reader in your life. I have four nieces who are reading chapter books, and I am so excited to share this one with them!
Thank you so much to Philomel for providing me with the review copy and the opportunity. I can’t wait to read the rest of this series!
I was so excited to find this series this year, because it’s a fantastic introduction to lots of different female role models and the concept of feminism as a whole. But I was even more excited to learn that Philomel Books is continuing the series in chapter books! There will be 13 books in the series released this year, one dedicated to each woman mentioned in the original picture book She Persisted: 13 American Women Who Changed the World.
I am thrilled to have the opportunity to review the first release in the chapter book series, She Persisted: Harriet Tubman, written by Andrea Davis Pinkney.
I know many of us are familiar with Harriet Tubman, but this book is perfect for young readers to learn more about her story.
Starting at her birth on the Edward Brodess plantation in Dorchester, Maryland, She Persisted: Harriet Tubman follows our heroine throughout the struggles of her childhood of being “rented” to cruel people. In six chapters, we learn about how Harriet Tubman grew up and escaped slavery, and how she risked her freedom to ensure others had theirs.
This book does not shy away from the ugly truths of slavery (including the traumatic brain injury Harriet Tubman suffered, causing a lifetime of seizures and hypersomnia), but cruelty and violence is introduced in an age-appropriate manner. I really appreciate the attention to Harriet’s disability, because I feel like this fact is often left out of her story.
There is an additional chapter at the end of the book with a list of activities for young readers to honor Harriet Tubman’s bravery, which I thought was a great idea to inspire children to take their reading a step further.
I absolutely loved this book and would highly recommend it for any young reader in your life. I have four nieces who are reading chapter books, and I am so excited to share this one with them!
Thank you so much to Philomel for providing me with the review copy and the opportunity. I can’t wait to read the rest of this series!
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