LS 5653: Module 2-- MINTY

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Schroeder, Alan. 1996. MINTY: A STORY OF YOUNG HARRIET TUBMAN. Illus. by Jerry Pickney. Dial Books for Young Readers: New York. ISBN: 0-8037-1889-6 (library binding) ISBN: 0-8037-1888-8 (trade).

PLOT SUMMARY

This is a short fictionalized biography about the early years of Harriet Tubman, or Minty. Life on the Broadas plantation in Maryland is challenging. Things don’t make sense to Minty. She is deemed a “difficult slave” for her inappropriate, defiant actions and her clumsy ways. Because she is not easy to train, she is sent to work in the fields of the plantation under the constant threat of being “Sold South”. When Minty is caught disobeying the overseer by freeing muskrats from the traps instead of stuffing them into a sack, she is so severely whipped it took her many days to recover. After this, Minty constantly dreams of running away and freedom. Her father begins to teach her to how to survive an escape by looking for the Drinking Gourd and following the North Star. He teaches her how to swim, how to read a tree, and how to move through the forest and not be heard. Then one night, Minty sees an opportunity to run away, but she does not seize it. She is upset by her inaction, but she knows that one day she will have the courage that will carry her to freedom.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

This brief glimpse into the early years of Harriet Tubman’s life provides insight into the future leader she was to become. Readers should be aware that this biography is fictionalized. At the beginning of the text, Mr. Schroeder explains what elements of the story are facts and what are fiction. Harriet Tubman’s cradle name was Araminta. She was a slave on the Brodas plantation in Maryland. She was viewed as too clumsy and docile to be a house slave, so she was sent to work in the fields. Harriet was assigned to tending the muskrat traps on the plantation. However it is not known whether she was seen freeing muskrats as she does in the story. This element was added. It does seem realistic that a woman that would one day free many slaves would free muskrats. But this is not proven.

The setting of this story is the Brodas plantation in Maryland. This is the planation that Harriet Tubman was known to work when she was young. Despite the horrors that Harriet endures, the constant threat of being “sold South” leaves the reader with one realization. The reader realizes that no matter what Harriet is enduring here, the South will be far more horrific. Because this plantation is not in the Deep South, the dialect of the slaves in the story reflects this. The language is not proper English but not full of southern accent. Many words are abbreviated, for example of is “ o’ ”, and “cause”. The word “ain’t” is also used quite regularly. Readers should note the use of the words “missus”, “mister”, and “gal”. These terms were used during this era to reflect respect or a lack of respect. Their use lends to the story’s historical and cultural authenticity.

The plot of this story is plausible. Harriet is a slave who’s will and personality initially lead her into harm’s way. Readers know that she eventually escapes from slavery and founds the Underground Railroad. The brief segment of Harriet’s life gives the reader a possible explanation for how Harriet became who she was. The events in this story reveal her determined and tenacious spirit. The plot is logical but not overwhelmed by details. Readers understand what is happening without every minute detail. These events are not sugar-coated. When Harriet is beaten, readers are told that she could not walk for many days. This paints a grim picture for the torment that was heaped upon this child.

Freedom and hope are themes that are woven into the text of MINTY. Harriet’s spirit is never broken. She is always dreaming of freedom. Her father sees this dream and does not extinguish it. Rather he helps it flourish by teaching Harriet how to read the moss on trees and how to walk without being heard. Even when Harriet misses the escape attempt, her disappointment gives way to hope. She knows that one day she will be able to go muster the courage required for an escape.

Mr. Schroeder weaves religion and the usage of the North Star into the text fluidly. Religious stories of triumph were often sources of comfort. If that person could do this great feat, then so could they. At the beginning of the text, Harriet is retelling the biblical story of David’s rise after killing Goliath. She describes him as “never hungry or nothin’ again”. It is known that conductors on the Underground Railroad followed the North Star and the Big Dipper, also known as the Drinking Gourd. This book provides one explanation for how and why Harriet used this method. It was taught to her by a respected man, her father. When she escaped and helped others escape, she used the method she knew.

The illustrations for MINTY are phenomenal. They are colorful, rich, and vibrant. Jerry Pinkney includes a note of explanation for the illustrations at the start of the book. He wants the readers to understand the research and realism that is held in every water color and colored pencil illustration. These illustrations were not simply imaginative drawings. They are the result of thorough planning and effort. These authentic illustrations fill each pair of pages; they envelope the text. The images of the rural nature of the plantation capture the essence of the setting and are historically accurate.
The faces of the people show the emotion of the moment and state of affairs in Maryland in the 1820s. Despite the common race of all of the slaves, Mr. Pinkney created every face to represent an individual person, not a herd of formless humanity. Skin tones are varied. Facial features and hair styles are individualized. Even the clothing of the slaves is unique for each person. While each separate character has his/her style of clothing, it is apparent that the selection is limited. In most cases, each character is only seen in one outfit throughout the book.

MINTY is an excellent book. It would provide a fantastic introduction to the life of Harriet Tubman. Readers should simply be aware that many events were embellished.

REVIEW EXCERPTS

Winner of the 1997 Coretta Scott King Award for Illustration An ALA Notable Book An American Bookseller "Pick of the Lists" A Time Magazine Best Children's Book of the Year Winner of the Christopher Award

From KIRKUS REVIEWS—“Rich with melodrama, suspense, pathos, and a powerful vision of freedom. This exquisitely crafted book resonates well beyond its few pages.”

From SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL—“This beautifully illustrated and moving fictional story can be used to introduce Harriet Tubman and the injustice of slavery to young audiences.”

From PUBLISHER’S WEEKLY—“A firm stepping stone toward discussions of slavery and U.S. history.”


CONNECTIONS

Students will investigate factual sites about Harriet Tubman and discuss whether the events in this fictionalized biography seem realistic. They will also discuss what they think Ms. Tubman’s actual escape experience was prior to researching this topic.

http://www.nyhistory.com/harriettubman/

http://www.math.buffalo.edu/~sww/0history/hwny-tubman.html

http://www.incwell.com/Biographies/Tubman.html

Harriet Tubman’s bravery and determination founded the Underground Railroad. Students will map routes and research the Underground Railroad.

http://education.ucdavis.edu/NEW/STC/lesson/socstud/railroad/Map.htm

http://www2.lhric.org/Pocantico/tubman/map.htm

http://www.nationalgeographic.com/railroad/map.html

http://www.slaveryinamerica.org/geography/ugrr_1860.htm

Students will discuss the value of fictionalized biographies. Do they serve a purpose? Why would authors write them? Are they considered valid and authentic?