86 pages • 2 hours read
Ann PetryHarriet Tubman: Conductor on the Underground Railroad
Nonfiction | Biography | Middle Grade | Published in 1955A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
Harriet Tubman: Conductor on the Underground Railroad by Ann Petry takes the reader through the incredible life of Harriet Tubman, from her birth to enslaved parents on a Maryland plantation, through her daring escape and subsequent missions to free over 300 enslaved individuals via the Underground Railroad, to her later contributions during the Civil War and her efforts in the abolitionist and suffrage movements until her death as a free woman in New York in 1913. Topics of slavery, physical abuse, and violence are depicted.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Ann Petry's biography of Harriet Tubman is widely praised for its accessible prose and detailed historical context, making Tubman's extraordinary life story engaging for readers of all ages. Some critics note a lack of critical analysis and depth in exploring Tubman’s personal motivations. Overall, it is a compelling introduction to an iconic figure in American history.
Who Should Read Harriet Tubman?
A reader who would enjoy Harriet Tubman by Ann Petry is likely interested in American history, civil rights, and biographies of influential figures. Comparable to readers of The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead or Hidden Figures by Margot Lee Shetterly, they appreciate narratives of resilience and courage.
RecommendedReading Age
10-14yearsLexile Level
1000LBook Details
History: U.S.
Race / Racism
Women's Studies (Nonfiction)
American Civil War
African American Literature
Relationships: Family
Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality
Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance