Moses

Coretta Scott King Award

Weatherford, C. (2006). Moses: When Harriet Tubman led her people to

     freedom. New York, NY: Hyperion Books for Children.

Exposition:

One summer night, Harriet Tubman goes outside to pray about what she should do because her Masters own her.

Conflict:

Harriet decides that, with God's help, she will flee.  However, it is very scary because the Masters do not want to let their slaves get away.  They will be hunted down.

Rising Action:

Harriet sneaks through the dark night relying on God to show her the way.  She must find safe places to hide and safe havens for refuge.  Through darkness, fear, water, bleeding feet, and patrollers, she must listen for God to tell her where and when to go. 

Climax:

Harriet hides in a potato hole for 7 days, weak and dreaming of being buried alive.  She thinks she has not been able to make it.

Falling Action:

She finally leaves the hole and starts out again by moonlight holding God's hand all the way.

Resolution:

When she thinks she can go no further again, God sends her a couple in a wagon to to take her the last leg of her journey to the safety of Philadelphia.  After she gains strength, she decides to go back and save others.

Illustrations:

The pictures are fantastic.  One large picture covers both pages with the words placed on top of the colored background.  Each and every picture looks like a painting depicting a very moving scene.  Most are in the dark night and do such a great job of showing the emotion of the story.