Out of Slavery: A Novel of Harriet Tubman
by Carol Trembath
Lakeside Publishing MI
Book review by Dylan Ward
"Survivors of the stings of slavery and the risky tests of runaways share a common chain. We are linked by suffering and an uncommon faith in each other."
Trembath’s affecting novel begins with a young Cecelia (Cece) fearing for her safety. In a bold plan, Cece and brother, Lou, escape the plantation with a “trembling group” on the Underground Railroad, guided by the “Moses of our people,” Harriet Tubman. Cece is curious and intimidated by the confident woman with a bounty on her who reads the forest and suffers unexpected blackouts, the result of a blow to the head as a child by a cruel foreman. Traveling by night, fully aware of the consequences of capture or abandonment, they reach safety and freedom.
During the Civil War, Trembath centers on Cece and Harriet, now nurses aiding wounded Union soldiers, as they witness destruction from the “wild beast” of war. Lou and Cece’s new husband, Will, fight in the 54th Massachusetts Volunteers against Fort Wagner under the command of Colonel Robert Gould Shaw. They face “murderous fire” and the “teeth of the death.” As Lou gradually recovers, Will is lost to his mortal wounds, and Cece faces her newfound freedom alone in a “fatherless nation” deeply shattered and torn.
The strong fictional portrayal and dramatization of events in and around Harriet Tubman’s life during a pivotal, dark period of America’s past is timely and moving. Seen through the eyes of Cece, Trembath’s fast-paced and tightly woven tale relies on rich historical evidence and the work of scholars. But Trembath wisely doesn’t focus wholly on Harriet Tubman but also provides well-defined supporting characters. And she doesn’t shy from her characters’ fates, giving the reader realistic depictions of a people in bondage, the devastating effects of war, and the power of humanity to generate change. The slim novel is a transformative read, reminding us of our current racial crisis while celebrating the heroic crusades of the anti-slavery movement.
RECOMMENDED by the US Review
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Water Walkers: Walking Lake Superior
by Carol Trembath
illustrations by David W. Craig
Lakeside Publishing MI
Reviewed by Barbara Bamberger
"Grandmother planned to walk around each of the Great Lakes, one by one. She taught me that it is our Ojibway people's custom to watch over and protect the water. I thought about Grandmother's words. I wondered how I could help."
Mai is a little Ojibway girl who wants to learn from her tribal elders. Her grandmother is going to walk around each of the Great Lakes, and she agrees to let Mai come along because "Even our little ones can make ripples and waves.” Mai's task is to fill a copper bucket with lake water each morning. This ritual is followed by Grandmother's prayers and songs. Mai notices that in one town there are lots of plastic bags in the water, a lesson in the problem of pollution. She observes that a family of deer have to walk farther than ever to get to the edge of the lake to drink, and a bear tries to catch fish and can't find any. Grandmother says Mai can help Mother Earth save the shrinking waters; she can be like the rabbit, not running far but taking long hops to reach out to children all over the world. Mai learns she can make ripples, teaching others about conserving water and picking up trash.
This is a beautifully illustrated book, with soft colorful drawings by Craig. Trembath's introduction relates that the story is based on factual information: The Mother Earth Water Walkers began their task of circling the Great Lakes in 2003, led by the Ojibway and other tribes indigenous to the area. The story includes symbols of the tribes and their spiritual beliefs. Written for older children and geared to increasing consciousness of ecological issues, the book has a glossary, some study questions, and a list of resources regarding the Water Walkers. With the lovely pictures and simple but instructive text, Water Walkers would make a great read-to study book for all.
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Stepping Stones: Walking Lake Michigan
by Carol Trembath
illustrations by David W. Craig
Lakeside Publishing MI
Reviewed by John E. Roper
"We will walk to raise awareness of how important it is to take care of the water. We will circle the lakes to protect them for our children and grandchildren."
Mai's feet get tired as she trudges along the banks of the lake, yet she knows that what she is doing is important. A young member of the Ojibway tribe, she and others of her family and people have been walking around Lake Michigan along the ancient path of their ancestors in an effort to call attention to the need to preserve one our most precious natural resources—water. Mai's job every morning is to pour lake water into the copper pail that the group will carry with them as they walk. Sometimes she picks up discarded bottles and cans while she goes along as that, too, is an important way to take care of the water. As she travels, Mai also finds or is given small, unique rocks that she tucks away in her memory bag. Each type of stone serves to remind her of a story from Ojibway culture relating to Mother Earth.
In this charming and beautifully illustrated children's story, the author pays homage to the real Mother Earth Water Walkers who have been circling the Great Lakes and walking along major rivers since 2003. Mai's curiosity is the vehicle Trembath uses to have Mai's grandmother share intriguing insights from Ojibway lore and the group's purpose in walking. The author supplements this teaching with helpful sections before and after the story that show and describe the specific rocks Mai encounters, explain the meaning of specific terms, offer links to a variety of resources, give aid to teachers of this material, etc. Helping to make the book memorable are David W. Craig's exquisite pictures which are, at times, reminiscent of the great Marcel Marlier's work in the French Martine series. Informative and inspiring, this book does an excellent job of calling attention to a vital ecological issue.
RECOMMENDED by the US Review
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Ripples & Waves: Walking Lake Huron
by Carol Trembath
illustrations by David W. Craig
Lakeside Publishing MI
Book review by Toby Berry
"Trees are the lungs of the earth."
This incredible story focuses on Mai, a fictitious Ojibway girl walking around Lake Huron with her family and Native Americans from various tribes. Mai and her new friend make dreamcatchers to share with others they meet along the way. Though fiction, the story is based on The Mother Earth Water Walkers, a real-life group of native women who circumnavigated the Great Lakes on foot starting in 2003. They did aise awareness about the condition of water in our country and the need to be good stewards. They also set out on their journeys to reunite tribes, which scattered after the white man came to North America.
This children's book is breathtaking. It is contemporary and historical at the same time, addressing the issues of native populations, clean water, the environment, history, art, climate change, friendship, activism, and education—all in 52 illustrated pages. All of the illustrations are colorful and professionally done, but those of the young Native American girls are standout drawings. The girls look full of hope and innocence, inspiring young readers to be like them in pursuit of friendship with other young people and Mother Earth.
The book is written at a third-grade reading level, but advanced second graders should be able to read it, as well, and it is also a perfect read-aloud book for first graders. This is a stellar book for contextual learning, including a map of Lake Huron, a reference section with resources regarding art (how to make dreamcatchers), environmentalism, diversity, and more. "It is about making connections and coming together . . . The earth is our home. Her creeks, streams and rivers flow into our lakes and oceans. Water connects us."
RECOMMENDED by the US Review
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