Harriet Tubman: Conductor on the Underground Railroad

• Genre: Nonfiction; biography; history
• Originally Published: 1955
• Reading Level/Interest: Grades 5-9
• Structure/Length: Biography divided into multiple chapters detailing the life and achievements of Harriet Tubman; approximately 256 pages; approximately 6 hours and 4 minutes on audio
• Central Concern: Ann Petry’s biography of Harriet Tubman is a detailed account of the life of one of America’s greatest heroes. The book follows Tubman’s journey from slavery to becoming a leading figure in the Underground Railroad, a network assisting slaves to escape to freedom. Through personal stories and historical context, Petry highlights Tubman’s bravery, intelligence, and tenacity. The biography not only tells the story of Tubman’s daring escapes and missions to free other slaves but also delves into her work as a spy for the Union Army during the Civil War and her later years advocating for women’s suffrage and the rights of the elderly.
• Potential Sensitivity Issues: Descriptions of the harsh realities of slavery, including violence and abuse; discussions of the risks and dangers associated with the Underground Railroad and the Civil War.

Ann Petry, Author

• Bio: Born 1908; died 1997; an African American author and journalist; known for her novels and works that address social issues surrounding race and gender. Her notable work The Street (1946) was the first novel by an African American woman to sell over a million copies.