Courage to Run: A Story Based on the Life of Young Harriet Tubman

Bought this for my 13 year old son. He loved it and even cried!

Harriet Tubman didn't just BECOME the major conductor of the Underground Railroad; she paid for that honor with pain and blood; however, through it all, her faith remained and her constant prayer carried her through.Tubman (Minty, as she was called as a child) helps with the children on the plantation when she is only a child herself, but when the master's plantation hits harder times, she and others find themselves being "hired out" to help the master make ends meet. Minty is torn from her family and is taken to places where she has no protection from cruelty and no one to turn to other than to God. During this time, she realizes the dream of freedom, and she often remembers the story of Moses's call to lead the people out of Egypt. Lawton's book brings along new insights about a woman with whom most of us are familiar. Tubman's courage is all the more admirable as we read about her childhood because, even in the face of unfair accusations, she does not become bitter; instead, she allows the unfairness she faces to make her stronger in order that she can be used more effectively by God.The details are vivid; the story is riveting. Courage to Run is complete with a glossary that details the language of the area and the times and an epilogue that has a short bibliography for those who are interested in finding out more about Harriet Tubman.

A story-teller par excellence, Wendy Lawton transports the reader into the chilhood world of Harriet Tubman. Gripping narrative, fast paced action, and dialogue which rings true without overuse of dialect build images the reader can see, hear and feel.Children and adults find this book a treasure. It's an excellent resource for home-school families: incorporating history, literature and vocabulary in a fun and painless format. The glossary at the back provides definitions for unfamiliar words, and adds fun to the chore of spelling lessons! Children enjoy this book--even if it's assigned reading.It's a great addition to home and church libaries as well. It's difficult to find historical fiction for children that's entertaining as well as educational. This book fills the bill perfectly. Even though I'm well beyond the target age group, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I gave my niece a copy for her birthday--it makes an excellent gift!

No wonder Courage to Run is receiving rave reviews from everyone.Wendy Lawton is a master storyteller, bar none. Usually, dialect distracts me in the written word, but not with this story. Wendy's ability to weave the dialect, colorful descriptionand emotion into this book kept me turning the pages. It was obvious that the author did tons of research to bring Minty (Harriet Tubman) to life and make the reader care so much about her. This is a book that will certainly win awards and acclaim.

It's hard to believe that Wendy Lawton had not published dozens of books before Courage to Run. Her attention to research and detail, coupled with her easy-to-read style, kept me turning the pages until the book was done. I hope this is the first of many books because we need books that introduce our children, and re-introduce adults, to historical figures of faith.Wendy Lawton was courageous to write a book using so much dialect, because that is more difficult than most people realize. She did a skillful job of bringing her characters to life with not only dialect, but with word choices and flow. All slave owners weren't on the same economic or social level, and Wendy did a wonderful job of allowing me to know who was talking and more about their character. She did a great job of giving every person in the book their own voice and she painted vivid pictures.With the richness of description, she masterfully made me feel "Minty's" pain and confusion and faith. We often think of our inspirational heros, and Harriet Tubman is certainly that, as being made from stronger stuff than we. In Courage To Run we see a young girl who doubts her courage but never her God. Harriet Tubman was courageous and her story is inspiring. Adults can learn as much, or maybe even more, than young people from this wonderful book.

I've always been fascinated with every aspect of Harriet Tubman's life, but especially her childhood. How could someone with such spunk and independence endure her years as a slave? Wendy Lawton answers that question, and many more. She makes Harriet three-dimensional, and her faith in God fresh and understandable. Other "background" people of Harriet's life are richly described also--her parents, fellow-slave Annie, and the two unhappy women who hired her temporarily from her owner. Anyone who wants to know about Harriet Tubman should start with this book.