Harriet Tubman

You may be familiar with Harriet Tubman's role in helping slaves escape to the north on the Underground Railroad, but did you know that she was also a nurse and a spy during the Civil War, and that she started schools and senior homes for freed slaves? An excellent entry in the 12-volume Great Americans for Children series, Harriet Tubman profiles the life of this extraordinary woman--who earned the laudatory nickname "Moses"--through quality reenactments interwoven with commentary and discussion from an engaging host and panel of diverse kids (who discuss the weighty theme of slavery at intervals, never watering down its horrifying seriousness). Providing solid historical context, helpful maps, and relevant vocabulary, this nicely paced, well-edited, tightly-scripted program brings to life a truly great American, while also reminding us that freedom should never be taken for granted. The other titles in the series include: Susan B. Anthony, Cesar Chavez, Benjamin Franklin, Eleanor Roosevelt and Martin Luther King, Jr. Highly recommended. Aud: E, I, P. (E. Gieschen)