Aunt Harriet's Underground Railroad in the Sky
Ringgold, F. (2004). Aunt harriet's underground railroad in the Sky. Clearinghouse for Specialized Media & Technology.
Plot Summary:
This book starts by introducing Cassie and Be Be and how one day flying, they came across a train in the sky where thousands of people started to board the train to Canada in silence. Be Be wanted to hop on the train as well, and gets separated from Cassie, but while Be Be travels away, Harriet Tubman, or Aunt Harriet because she helped so many people, appears and explains slavery and why people had to run away for their freedom. Aunt Harriet explains to Cassie the treacherous road she will have to take in order to get to Canada to be reunited with her brother just as people had to travel to be free, she explains that she will be sucked to the ground and have to fight to freedom. Cassie begins her travel to Canada, following Aunt Harriet's directions, looking for certain people, signs, songs, all while hiding in order to be safe and make it alive. Cassie makes it to Canada where she sees all the passengers of the train including Be Be and Aunt Harriet, singing and rejoicing. She then holds be Be and everyone celebrates the 100th anniversary of Aunt Harriet's first flight to freedom where she was the Moses of her people.
Personal Connection:
People argue all the time saying the topic of slavery is too much and too dark for young kids, and although a lot of the aspects are even too horrifying for me, it doesn't me that we can just ignore this until they're older. Sadly, racism is still alive today, it feels just recently the media has recognized this and for so many years, there was simply no justice, just shields from society. But although I and so many others wish this never happened in history, we have to acknowledge the fact that it did, call out the United States and the rest of the world's racism. So yes, the topic of slavery can be difficult to learn, but it has to be taught in schools at all grades because its not something that can be forgotten or hidden, it is something we have to teach and learn forever so that hopefully one day, everyone will move past it and everyone can finally be treated equally. But as for the book, I love that it talked about different rules slaves had to follow as well as why the underground railroad existed and how it wasn't an easy journey. I also liked how Harriet Tubman was portrayed as "Aunt Harriet", it makes her seem even more human and kind and just makes you wonder and see how strong she was to be the leader and lifesaver of so many people.
Classroom Connection:
This book starts by introducing Cassie and Be Be and how one day flying, they came across a train in the sky where thousands of people started to board the train to Canada in silence. Be Be wanted to hop on the train as well, and gets separated from Cassie, but while Be Be travels away, Harriet Tubman, or Aunt Harriet because she helped so many people, appears and explains slavery and why people had to run away for their freedom. Aunt Harriet explains to Cassie the treacherous road she will have to take in order to get to Canada to be reunited with her brother just as people had to travel to be free, she explains that she will be sucked to the ground and have to fight to freedom. Cassie begins her travel to Canada, following Aunt Harriet's directions, looking for certain people, signs, songs, all while hiding in order to be safe and make it alive. Cassie makes it to Canada where she sees all the passengers of the train including Be Be and Aunt Harriet, singing and rejoicing. She then holds be Be and everyone celebrates the 100th anniversary of Aunt Harriet's first flight to freedom where she was the Moses of her people.
Personal Connection:
People argue all the time saying the topic of slavery is too much and too dark for young kids, and although a lot of the aspects are even too horrifying for me, it doesn't me that we can just ignore this until they're older. Sadly, racism is still alive today, it feels just recently the media has recognized this and for so many years, there was simply no justice, just shields from society. But although I and so many others wish this never happened in history, we have to acknowledge the fact that it did, call out the United States and the rest of the world's racism. So yes, the topic of slavery can be difficult to learn, but it has to be taught in schools at all grades because its not something that can be forgotten or hidden, it is something we have to teach and learn forever so that hopefully one day, everyone will move past it and everyone can finally be treated equally. But as for the book, I love that it talked about different rules slaves had to follow as well as why the underground railroad existed and how it wasn't an easy journey. I also liked how Harriet Tubman was portrayed as "Aunt Harriet", it makes her seem even more human and kind and just makes you wonder and see how strong she was to be the leader and lifesaver of so many people.
Classroom Connection:
This book could be used as a tool to teach about slavery and to help explain the underground railroad. The topic although necessary to be taught can get dark fast so maybe with this book and its gentle explanations and images, students will be able to be engaged without being scared, sad, and confused. One lesson the teacher could use this book for would be a study on the underground railroad and Harriet Tubman herself. Students could fill out a graphic organizer with facts, make a general map of the trail, and even a personal chart of Harriet Tubman, where they can draw her and put all kinds of achievements and facts of her. Mainly, I would use this book to introduce and inform students of this time in history.
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