Harriet Tubman Unit Study: Books, Activities, Videos, Crafts, and Free Printables
Dates covered: 1820-1913
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Books:
Apple for Harriet Tubman, An. Glennette Tilley Turner.. Picture book. Harriet spends her days picking beautiful red apples, but she is forbidden to taste even one. Years later, after escaping slavery and helping others find freedom, a simple apple becomes a powerful reminder of how far she has come. Level 4.3. Younger to Middle students. Maryland, 1850.
Before She Was Harriet. Lesa Cline-Ransome. Picture book. Who is the elderly woman in black? Travel backward through time to uncover a Civil War scout, a fearless Underground Railroad conductor, a suffragist, and finally a little girl named Araminta who refused to let slavery define her future. Level 4.5. Younger to Middle students. Maryland, 1913.
Chasing Freedom: The Life Journeys of Harriet Tubman and Susan B. Anthony, Inspired by Historical Facts. Nikki Grimes. Longer picture book. What would happen if Harriet Tubman and Susan B. Anthony sat down together to share stories? From daring escapes to crowded lecture halls, the two reformers look back on the adventures, dangers, and victories that shaped their fight for freedom and equality. Level 5.8. Younger to Middle students. New York, 1890s.
Courage to Run: A Story Based on the Life of Young Harriet Tubman.Wendy Lawton. Chapter book. (Daughters of the Faith series). Long before she became the famous “Moses” of the Underground Railroad, Harriet was a determined young girl facing cruelty, danger, and difficult choices. Her faith and courage are tested as she learns to stand up for what is right. Middle to Older students. Maryland, 1830s.
Eliza’s Freedom Road: An Underground Railroad Diary. Jerdine Nolen. Historical fiction. (Dear America series). Eliza fears she may be sold away forever. Armed with a treasured quilt, whispered directions, and a fragile hope, she escapes into the night searching for freedom—and for the legendary Harriet Tubman. Middle to Older students. Virginia, 1854.
Escape North!: The Story of Harriet Tubman. Monica Kulling. Early Reader. An easy-to-read, page-turning account of Harriet Tubman’s life–from her childhood in slavery to her years as a conductor on the Underground Railroad to her later work as a suffragette and as a spy in the Civil War. This remarkable true story brings to life one of America’s greatest female role models. Level 3.6. Younger to Middle students. Maryland.
Freedom Train: The Story of Harriet Tubman. Dorothy Sterling. Born into slavery, young Harriet Tubman knew only hard work and hunger. Escape seemed impossible – certainly dangerous. Yet Harriet did escape North, by the secret route called the Underground Railroad. Harriet didn’t forget her people. Again and again, she risked her life to lead them on the same secret, dangerous journey. Level 6.2. Middle to Older students. Maryland.
Harriet Tubman, Secret Agent: How Daring Slaves and Free Blacks Spied for the Union During the Civil War. Thomas B. Allen. Nonfiction. Most books focus on Harriet Tubman’s work on the Underground Railroad. This one explores her lesser-known role as a scout and spy, revealing how secret information and hidden networks helped the Union Army during the Civil War. Level 8.0. Middle to Older students. South Carolina, 1863.
Harriet Tubman: A Journey to Freedom. Sandra Agard. Biography. Follow Harriet Tubman from her escape from slavery to her work guiding others north. Readers learn how one decision changed her life and the lives of many others. Lexile 1010. Middle to Older students. Maryland, 1849.
Harriet Tubman: A Lesson in Bravery. Elizabeth Kernan. Biography. A simple introduction to Harriet Tubman’s life, from her childhood in slavery to her work helping others escape through the Underground Railroad. Level 4.7. Younger to Middle students. Maryland, 1850s.
Harriet Tubman: A Woman of Courage. Renee Skelton. TIME For Kids Biography. As a teenager, Harriet Tubman steps in to protect another enslaved person and suffers an injury that affects her for the rest of her life. Readers follow her journey from slavery to freedom and discover how she became one of the most famous conductors on the Underground Railroad. Younger to Middle students. Maryland, 1830s–1850s.
Harriet Tubman: Conductor of the Underground Railroad. Jr. Graphic African-American History Graphic Novel. Harriet Tubman escapes slavery and reaches freedom, but instead of staying safely in the North, she repeatedly returns to guide others along the Underground Railroad. The graphic novel format brings her dangerous rescue missions to life, while timelines and historical features provide additional background. Level 3.5. Younger to Middle students. Maryland, 1850s.
Harriet Tubman: Fighter for Freedom! Graphic Novel. Harriet Tubman escapes slavery in 1849, but freedom is only the beginning of her story. Readers follow her repeated journeys back into the South as she guides enslaved people to freedom through the Underground Railroad. The graphic novel format highlights the risks, close calls, and determination that made Harriet one of the most famous conductors in American history. Mature Younger to Middle students. Maryland, 1849–1860s.
Harriet Tubman: Freedombound. Janet & Geoff Benge. Christian Heroes: Then & Now biography. Harriet Tubman escapes slavery but refuses to leave others behind. This biography follows her dangerous work on the Underground Railroad, her service during the Civil War, and the faith that guided many of the decisions she made throughout her life. Level 5.8. Middle to Older students. Maryland, 1850.
Harriet Tubman: Freedom Fighter. Early Reader. Most people know Harriet Tubman for the Underground Railroad, but this book also explores her work as a Civil War scout, spy, and military leader. Beginning readers learn how Harriet led rescue missions, gathered information for the Union Army, and helped change the course of history. Level 3.8. Younger to Middle students. Maryland, 1863.
Harriet Tubman: Freedom’s Trailblazer Childhood of Famous Americans series. Also published as Harriet Tubman: Freedom Girl. As a young girl, Harriet Tubman refuses to accept cruelty around her. Readers follow her from childhood in slavery to her daring escapes on the Underground Railroad and the dangerous journeys she makes to lead others to freedom. Middle to Older students. Maryland, 1849.
Harriet Tubman: In Her Own Words. Biography. Harriet Tubman’s story is told through quotations, historical documents, and firsthand accounts. Readers can explore her escape from slavery, her work on the Underground Railroad, and the events of her life through the people who experienced them. Level 6.2. Younger to Middle students. Maryland, 1849.
Harriet Tubman: Little People, Big Dreams. Maria Isabel Sánchez Vegara. Picture book. Little Harriet dreams of freedom while growing up in slavery in Maryland. Readers follow her journey from childhood to the Underground Railroad, where she risks her safety to help others escape and begin new lives. Level 4.9. Mature Younger to Middle students. Maryland, 1849.
Harriet Tubman: The Life of an African-American Abolitionist. Graphic Novel. Harriet Tubman escapes slavery and earns the nickname “Moses” as she guides others to freedom on the Underground Railroad. The graphic novel format combines illustrations and historical facts to tell the story of her dangerous missions and her fight against slavery. Level 4.2. Mature Middle students. Maryland, 1849.
Harriet Tubman and the Freedom Train. Sharon Gayle. Early Reader. Harriet Tubman achieves her own freedom, but she refuses to leave others behind. Readers follow her journeys on the Underground Railroad as she guides enslaved people north and becomes one of the most famous conductors in American history. Level 3.7. Younger to Middle students. Maryland, 1849.
Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad. Michael Burgan. Graphic Novel. How did Harriet Tubman guide people to freedom without being caught? Through illustrations and historical facts, readers follow her escape from slavery and the dangerous journeys she made to help others travel the Underground Railroad. Level 3.7. Mature Younger and Middle students. Maryland, 1849.
Harriet Tubman. Wil Mara. Rookie Biographies. Beginning readers are introduced to Harriet Tubman’s life, from her childhood in slavery to her work helping people escape on the Underground Railroad. Simple text and historical photographs help tell the story of one of America’s best-known freedom seekers. Level 2.9. Younger students. Maryland, 1849.
Harriet Tubman. Randy T. Gosda. First Biographies. This easy-to-read biography gives younger readers a straightforward first look at Harriet Tubman’s life, from her childhood in slavery to her work helping others escape through the Underground Railroad. Includes supporting features such as maps, timeline, glossary, and index. Level 2.9. Younger to Middle students. Maryland, 1849.
Harriet Tubman. My Itty-Bitty Bio series. Designed for the earliest readers, this biography introduces Harriet Tubman with simple text, basic vocabulary, and supporting features such as a timeline. Young readers learn how Harriet escaped slavery and helped others find freedom on the Underground Railroad. Level 1.3. Younger students. Maryland, 1849.
I am Harriet Tubman. Brad Meltzer. Combination picture book/graphic novel. Told in Harriet Tubman’s own voice, this biography follows her journey from slavery to freedom and her decision to return again and again to help others escape. The mix of illustrations, comic-style panels, and humor makes her story accessible to younger readers while highlighting the courage behind her actions. Level 3.7. Younger to Middle students. Maryland, 1849.
Listen for the Whippoorwill. Dave and Neta Jackson. Historical fiction. Twelve-year-old Rosebud is trapped in slavery on a Maryland plantation. When tragedy strikes, she makes a dangerous escape and joins a secret journey north. Along the way she meets Harriet Tubman, the legendary “Moses” of the Underground Railroad. Mature Younger to Middle students. Maryland, 1853.
Minty: A Story of Young Harriet Tubman. Alan Schroeder. Picture book. Before she became the famous Harriet Tubman, she was Minty, a stubborn young girl who hated seeing animals trapped, questioned unfair rules, and dreamed of freedom. Readers meet Harriet as a child and discover the experiences that helped shape the woman she would become. Mature Younger to Middle students. Maryland, 1835.
Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom. Picture book. Harriet Tubman escapes slavery, but freedom is only the beginning. Believing God is guiding her, she returns again and again to lead enslaved people north on the Underground Railroad. This retelling focuses on Harriet’s faith, courage, and the dangerous journeys that earned her the nickname “Moses.” Level 4.0. Younger to Middle students. Maryland, 1849.
Picture Book of Harriet Tubman. David A. Adler. Picture book. Harriet Tubman escapes slavery and could finally live in safety. Instead, she turns around and goes back. Again and again she slips into slave states, leading people north to freedom while slave catchers search for her. Level 4.3. Younger to Middle students. Maryland, 1849.
She Persisted: Harriet Tubman. Andrea Davis Pinkney. Chapter book biography. Harriet Tubman is born into slavery, escapes to freedom, and then makes a choice most people would never make—she goes back. Guided by the North Star and determined to help others, she risks her freedom again and again on the Underground Railroad. Level 5.8. Middle to Older students. Maryland, 1849.
What’s Your Story, Harriet Tubman?. Nonfiction. Cub Reporter gets the chance to interview Harriet Tubman herself. Through questions and answers, readers learn how she escaped slavery, became a conductor on the Underground Railroad, and helped others reach freedom. The interview format makes Harriet’s story feel like a conversation rather than a traditional biography. Level 4.1. Younger to Middle students. Maryland, 1849.
Who Was Harriet Tubman? Yona Zeldis McDonough. Biography. Harriet Tubman survives slavery, a serious head injury, and a dangerous escape to freedom. Most people would stop there, but Harriet returns south again and again to guide others to safety, becoming one of the most famous conductors on the Underground Railroad. Level 4.6. Middle students. Maryland, 1849.
“Wanted Dead or Alive” The True Story of Harriet Tubman. Ann McGovern. Biography. Harriet Tubman escapes slavery, but freedom does not end her adventures. Slave catchers want to stop her, yet she repeatedly returns to the South to guide others north on the Underground Railroad. Each trip could lead to capture, but Harriet refuses to leave people behind. Mature Younger to Middle students. Maryland, 1849.
Coloring Pages/Drawing:
Crafts and Arts; Science Experiments:
Lapbooks/Notebooking Pages/Unit Studies/Activity Pages
Movies/Videos/Documentaries
- I am Harriet Tubman | Xavier Riddle and the Secret Museum | PBS KIDS Videos
- Harriet Tubman for Kids | Learn about Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad
- Torchlighters Heroes of the Faith Lamplighters Animated Movie
- Was Harriet Tubman a Spy?! | WHAT THE PAST?
- The movie Harriet is currently available on Netflix, but it might be too intense for some children, including showing realistic whippings, shooting, abuse, attempted sexual assault, etc. Also, some racial slurs. I would use the Lamplighters version for more sensitive students, and this one for older students who want a more realistic movie.
Museums/Field Trips (including virtual):
- Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Historical Park, Church Creek, Maryland
- Harriet Tubman Home, Auburn, New York
- Harriet Tubman Museum and Educational Center, Cambridge, Maryland
- Harriet Tubman Museum of New Jersey
- Tubman African American Center, Macon, Georgia
- PBS Harriet Tubman: Visions of Freedom Documentary
Recipes:
Songs:
- Harriet Tubman | Kids Song About the Underground Railroad! | Social Studies Lesson
- Follow The Stars Song For Harriet Tubman, Vocal Music Education Children Singing Songs Black History
- “Stand Up” – Official Lyric Video – Performed by Cynthia Erivo(note, mentions gun violence, from the movie Harriet.
