Harriet and the promised land by Jacob Lawrence.  New York:  Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers, 1993. 

ISBN-13:   9780671866730

ISBN-10:   0671866737

Illustrator:  Jacob Lawrence

Media:  Paintings

4Q/4P

Curricular connection:  Freedom from slavery. Teaching parallels can be made between Black History Month and the plight of African American history from slavery to freedom.  Reading material that can be used includes: Story Painter: The Life of Jacob Lawrence, Hank Aaron: Brave in Every Way, We are the Ship:  The Story of Negro League Baseball, and Harriet and the Promised Land.

Age level:  5th grade

Allusion is defined by Dictionary.com as a passing or casual reference; an incidental mention of something, either directly or by implication.  Jacob Lawrence in Harriet and the Promised Land use allusion to describe how Harriet Tubman led slaves to freedom, like Moses led his people across the sand.

Harriet led them ‘cross the snow

Toward “The Promised Land,”

As Moses led his people

‘Cross the burning sand.

Annotation:  Jacob Lawrence’s verse and painting come alive with expressive emotion and vitality in describing the historical Underground Railroad led by the courageous Harriet Tubman.  Both the images and text convey the plight of Harriet Tubman as she led slaves of the South to freedom.

KRF 7/25/09