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Lesa Cline-Ransome
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Before She Was Harriet Paperback – Picture Book, June 11, 2019

by Lesa Cline-Ransome (Author), James E. Ransome (Illustrator)
4.9 4.9 out of 5 stars 433 ratings
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An evocative poem and stunning watercolors come together to honor an American heroine in a Coretta Scott King Honor and Christopher Award-winning picture book.

We know her today as Harriet Tubman, but in her lifetime she was called by many names. As General Tubman she was a Union spy. As Moses she led hundreds to freedom on the Underground Railroad. As Minty she was a slave whose spirit could not be broken. As Araminta she was a young girl whose father showed her the stars and the first steps on the path to freedom.

This lush, lyrical biography in verse begins with a glimpse of Harriet Tubman as an old woman, and travels back in time through the many roles she played through her life: spy, liberator, suggragist and more. Illustrated by James Ransome, whose paintings for The Creation won a Coretta Scott King medal, this is a riveting introduction to an American hero.

The paperback edition includes a new author's note, and a list of resources for further study.

  • A Junior Library Guild Selection
  • A Coretta Scott King Honor Book
  • A Christopher Award winner
  • A Jane Addams Children's Honor Book
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Previous page
  1. Reading age
    4 - 8 years
  2. Print length
    32 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Grade level
    Preschool - 3
  5. Lexile measure
    NP
  6. Dimensions
    8.9 x 0.12 x 11 inches
  7. Publisher
    Holiday House
  8. Publication date
    June 11, 2019
  9. ISBN-10
    0823444295
  10. ISBN-13
    978-0823444298
  11. See all details
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From the Publisher

black history month;African American history;harriet tubman; coretta scott king award;feminism

"A memorable, lyrical reverse-chronological walk through the life of an American icon."—Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review

African American biographies;illustrated biography for kids;poetry;social justice;history for kids;

"inspirational and gorgeous"—Shelf Awareness

Family;emigration;social justice;segregation;train travel;realistic fiction;migration;historical

Don't miss these other fantastic titles from James Ransome and Lesa Cline-Ransome!

"Warm portraiture and vivid writing by married collaborators Cline-Ransome and Ransome (Before She Was Harriet) mark this story of a family’s journey north during the Great Migration."—Publishers Weekly, Starred Review

Family;emigration;social justice;segregation;train travel;realistic fiction;migration;historical

African American biographies;jazz biographies;jazz music;jazz trumpet;illustrated biography for kids

Diversity;we need diverse books;ownvoices;Langston hughes;harlem renaissance;black literature;poetry

jazz history;books about racism;activism;social justice;ownvoices;diverse kids books;diversity

Editorial Reviews

Review

★ "Simultaneously simple enough for young children to understand and sophisticated enough to inspire adults."—Booklist, Starred Review
 
★ "A memorable, lyrical reverse-chronological walk through the life of an American icon. While the text introduces readers to the details of Tubman's life, Ransome's use of watercolor . . . reveals Tubman's humanity, determination, drive, and hope. Ransome's lavishly detailed and expansive double-page spreads situate young readers in each time and place as the text takes them further into the past."—Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review
 
★ "This striking reverse chronology opens with a regal portrait of an elderly Harriet Tubman, after which the Ransomes chart her decades of work in pursuit of equality. [Lesa Cline-Ransome’s] incisive free verse emphasize[s] Tubman’s bravery in the face of a multitude of dangers. James Ransome’s watercolor portraits imbue Tubman with a steely determination―at every age―in lush scenes often set against blazing summer skies and blue, moonlit nights. Beyond its recognition of all that Tubman accomplished, the book serves as a powerful reminder of how all children carry within them the potential for greatness."—Publishers Weekly, Starred Review
 
★ "Each episode in her compelling life is illustrated by a luminous watercolor. The expertly done expressive paintings evoke Tubman’s strength and integrity showing 'the wisp of a woman with the courage of a lion.' This lovely tribute effectively communicates Tubman’s ­everlasting bravery and resolve, and will ­inspire curious readers to learn more."—School Library Journal, Starred Review

About the Author

Lesa Cline-Ransome and James Ransome have collaborated on many award-winning picture books for children. These include Satchel Paige, which was an ALA Best Book for Children and Words Set Me Free: The Story of Young Frederick Douglass, which received starred reviews in Booklist and School Library Journal. The Quilt Alphabet was praised as "A blue-ribbon ABC book that combines bright, folksy oil paintings and lilting riddle-poems," in a starred review in Publishers Weekly and called "a feast for the eyes" in School Library Journal. They live in the Hudson River Valley region of New York.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Holiday House; Reprint edition (June 11, 2019)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 32 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0823444295
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0823444298
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 4 - 8 years
  • Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ NP
  • Grade level ‏ : ‎ Preschool - 3
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 5.8 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 8.9 x 0.12 x 11 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.9 4.9 out of 5 stars 433 ratings

About the authors

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  1. Lesa Cline-Ransome

    Lesa Cline-Ransome

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    Lesa Cline-Ransome’s first book was the biography Satchel Paige, an ALA Notable Book and a Bank Street College “Best Children’s Book of the Year. She later created a number of picture books including Quilt Alphabet, Major Taylor: Champion Cyclist, Young Pele, Words Set Me Free, My Story, My Dance, and Germs: Fact and Fiction, Friends and Foes. Her verse biography of Harriet Tubman, Before She Was Harriet, was nominated for an NAACP image award, and received a Coretta Scott King Honor for Illustration. Her newest picture biography is Game Changers: The Story of Venus and Serena Williams. Finding Langston, her debut middle grade novel is a 2018 School Library Journal Best Book, Kirkus Reviews Best Middle Grade Novel and New York Public Library Best Book of 2018.

    Lesa’s books have received numerous honors and awards including NAACP Awards , Kirkus Best Books, ALA Notable, CBC Choice Awards, two Top 10 Sports Books for Youth, a Christopher Award, Jane Addams Award and an Orbis Pictus Recommended Book. She lives in the Hudson Valley region of New York with her husband, and frequent collaborator, illustrator James Ransome. Visit her at www.lesaclineransome.com.

    See more on the author's page
  2. James Ransome

    James Ransome

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Customer reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars
4.9 out of 5
433 global ratings
The many names and roles of Harriet Tubman
5 Stars
The many names and roles of Harriet Tubman
Before She Was Harriet, a poetic tribute to an American hero, written by Lesa Cline- Ransome. There is power in a name; Moses, General Tubman, Minty, Amaminta - each of these names represented each of her roles that she had: spy, liberator, suffragist, nurse, aunt, conductor, slave, and a young girl. Illustrations compliment the words and assist us toward the mood and sets the stage for the story.Each section of the book describes and pictures the roles that Harriet Tubman held prior to her having this name. Rather than go in chronological order from girl to old woman, this book shares her story from old woman to girl. Most students and adults know Harriet Tubman as the woman who assisted many toward freedom from slavery through her work in the Underground Railroad. This biographical picture book shares the many unknown roles she had in her lifetime.In reading, the role that struck my heart strings was the one as a young girl. I cannot recall a time that I have visualized the woman conductor, known as Harriet Tubman as a little girl. Students may not have had this thought either, as they have been taught about her during a unit on slavery or during Black History month. Lesa writes, "Araminta was her name who was taught by her father to read the woods and the stars at night readying for the day" (p. 21). I believe, bringing this understanding and awareness of Harriet Tubman as a little girl into the eyes of children can be an incredible experience. It is here in her lifetime they can relate to.
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Top reviews from the United States

Michael Allen
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful informative childrens book about Harriet Tubman
Reviewed in the United States on January 27, 2023
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Beautifully illustrated concise biography of a great American.It talks about the many roles of this historical figure.I highly recommend this to be in every school library.
One person found this helpful
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Mrs.C
5.0 out of 5 stars Black history month
Reviewed in the United States on March 3, 2024
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This book really explains who she was to the little children .
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CL
5.0 out of 5 stars So much yes!
Reviewed in the United States on March 11, 2021
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This book, like all of Lesa Cline-Ransom’s work is incredible! A story told in a beautiful and compelling way about such an important historical figure. I would recommend for children of all ages and as the perfect addition to classroom and school libraries. A must read!
3 people found this helpful
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Cindy Delpizzo
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book
Reviewed in the United States on April 7, 2021
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I purchased this book to share with my 4-year-old students during February. They really enjoyed their introduction to Harriet Tubman. This book had great pictures and was easily understood by listeners.
2 people found this helpful
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Frequent buyer9
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book!!
Reviewed in the United States on April 5, 2023
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Great book for teaching about Harriet Tubman and the many roles she played throughout her life. The kindergarten kids loved it!
One person found this helpful
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Blair Ortman
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautifully told
Reviewed in the United States on August 28, 2020
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I love the way Lesa Cline-Ransome told Harriet Tubman's story! This is a true pleasure to read, and the art feels incredibly personal and touching!
One person found this helpful
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E. Campbell
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book with simple and powerful themes
Reviewed in the United States on October 20, 2018
Verified Purchase
I use this book in 4th grade to teach timeline and then extend as a mentor text for perspective. The book shares a nickname/ title for Harriet in each phase of her life that we identify and place on a timeline. Then students write a note to a friend from one of the perspectives on the timeline.
7 people found this helpful
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Christine Marie
5.0 out of 5 stars A true gem
Reviewed in the United States on September 1, 2018
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This book is beautifully written and illustrated. As an aspiring children's writer, I am awed by the intricate simplicity of this picture book. The author captured so much in so little words. A true gem!
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