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Harriet Tubman: Conductor on the Underground Railroad

Nonfiction | Biography | Middle Grade | Published in 1955

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Book Brief

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Ann Petry

Harriet Tubman

Nonfiction | Biography | Middle Grade | Published in 1955
Book Details
Pages

256

Format

Biography • Nonfiction

Setting

Eastern United States • 19th Century

Publication Year

1955

Audience

Middle grade

Recommended Reading Age

10-14 years

Lexile Level

1000L

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Super Short Summary

Harriet Tubman: Conductor on the Underground Railroad by Ann Petry takes the reader through the incredible life of Harriet Tubman, from her birth to enslaved parents on a Maryland plantation, through her daring escape and subsequent missions to free over 300 enslaved individuals via the Underground Railroad, to her later contributions during the Civil War and her efforts in the abolitionist and suffrage movements until her death as a free woman in New York in 1913. Topics of slavery, physical abuse, and violence are depicted.

Inspirational

Adventurous

Challenging

Emotional

Hopeful

Reviews & Readership

4.4

2,203 ratings

81%

Loved it

15%

Mixed feelings

4%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Ann Petry's biography of Harriet Tubman is widely praised for its accessible prose and detailed historical context, making Tubman's extraordinary life story engaging for readers of all ages. Some critics note a lack of critical analysis and depth in exploring Tubman’s personal motivations. Overall, it is a compelling introduction to an iconic figure in American history.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Harriet Tubman?

A reader who would enjoy Harriet Tubman by Ann Petry is likely interested in American history, civil rights, and biographies of influential figures. Comparable to readers of The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead or Hidden Figures by Margot Lee Shetterly, they appreciate narratives of resilience and courage.

4.4

2,203 ratings

81%

Loved it

15%

Mixed feelings

4%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

256

Format

Biography • Nonfiction

Setting

Eastern United States • 19th Century

Publication Year

1955

Audience

Middle grade

Recommended Reading Age

10-14 years

Lexile Level

1000L

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