Minty A Story Of Young Harriet Tubman By Alan Schroeder/Jerry Pinkney

1.  Bibliography
Schroeder, Alan.  1996.  MINTY A STORY OF YOUNG HARRIET TUBMAN.  Ill. by Jerry Pinkney.  New York:  Dial Books For Young Readers.  ISBN 9780803718883


2.  Plot Summary
Harriet Tubman is a eight year old girl everyone calls Minty.  Most of the time she thinks about running away.  Her owners are not happy with her work and categorize her has a problem slave.  Her father teachers her how to follow the North Star, to swim, and cook a rabbit.  Even at a young age Harriet was ready to be free.  This story shows the reader how Minty became the woman she would grow up to be.

3.  Critical Analysis
The setting takes place in the South during the time of slavery.  The African American culture is brought to life in the text with the words the author uses to make the characters speak.  "There's somethin' I got to say t'you."  (9).  The reader can hear the southern accent in their mind as they read the words of the story.  The African Americans in the story are slaves during this time in history and have to listen to the commands of their owners.  The author concludes the story with an author's note of the life of Harriet Tubman to give the reader a look at who she becomes.
The illustrator Jerry Pinkney creates beautiful pictures reflecting the life of Minty.  He uses colors that fit the scenes in each picture.  The pictures are lifelike.  The viewer can see the detailed expressions of the characters faces whether it is anger or happiness.  The skin tones of the characters range from white to brown.  The clothing fits the characters of the book the owners wear beautiful clothes and the slaves are outfitted with only the basic clothes.  The pictures in the book bring the characters to life that fits the time period and setting of the book.

4.  Review Excerpts
Winner of the Coretta Scott King Award
REVIEW FROM PUBLISHERS WEEKLY, "This fictionalized account of Tubman's childhood on a Maryland plantation provides a cruel snapshot of life as a slave and the horrid circumstances that fueled the future Underground Railroad leader's passion and determination. At eight years old, Minty (so-called as a nickname for Araminta) boils with rebellion against her brutal owners and bucks their authority whenever possible."
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL SAYS, "This beautifully illustrated and moving fictional story can be used to introduce Harriet Tubman and the injustice of slavery to young audiences."

5.  Connections
*This book would be great to use in a classroom setting to read to students that are studying Harriet Tubman, the Underground Railroad, or slavery.
*Other books about Harriet Tubman
McDonugh, Yiba Zekdis and Nancy Harrison.  WHO WAS HARRIET TUBMAN.  ISBN 044842889
TIME FOR KIDS:  HARRIET TUBMAN:  A WOMAN OF COURAGE.  ISBN 0060576073
Weatherford, Kadir Nelson, and Carole Boston.  MOSES:  WHEN HARRIET TUBMAN LED HER PEOPLE TO FREEDOM.  ISBN 978786851751