Before She Was Harriet

Lesa Cline-Ransome and illustrator James E. Ransome trace Harriet Tubman's life in reverse chronology — from old woman back through suffragette, Union spy, nurse, Underground Railroad conductor, and the child named Araminta — revealing the many identities behind the icon. The free-verse structure is both poetic and emotionally powerful, inviting adult readers to guide children through the layers of a remarkable life. Booklist's starred review called it 'simultaneously simple enough for young children and sophisticated enough to inspire adults,' and the Coretta Scott King Honor and Christopher Award back that up. James Ransome's watercolors give every page warmth. The only honest caveat is that the reverse chronology may briefly confuse very young readers without an adult to guide them. Otherwise, this is an outstanding classroom and family book.