Trailblazers – Harriet Tubman - A Journey to Freedom

In this short volume young readers are introduced to the remarkable life of Harriet Tubman, a fearless activist who was instrumental in securing the release of many slaves as a conductor on the underground railway; the secret network of safe houses on the road to freedom. Later she was enlisted as a spy supporting abolitionists seeking to end slavery once and for all and she went on to become an inspirational speaker about her life and experiences of slaves and also on women’s rights as well.

Harriet’s amazing story is interspersed with information about life as a slave, rules and roles on plantations, the secret codes contained in songs, how to find your way and escape detection on the run and the broader historical context including the build up to the American Civil War.

This is an interesting book introducing a significant figure. It is one of a series of biographies from Stripes Publishing entitled Trailblazers celebrating the lives of pioneers, past and present, from all over the world. Other trailblazers are Neil Armstrong the astronaut and Jane Goodall the primatologist.

Written in an accessible style with a varied layout and black and white illustrations throughout, this text is engaging and easy to navigate. It includes a useful timeline, glossary of key vocabulary as well as an index.