Turner recounts the life of the legendary “conductor” on the Underground Railroad for a young audience, including a little-known fact that she learned from Tubman’s great-niece. Apparently, Tubman was forced to pick apples as a slave, but was not allowed to eat them. When caught tasting one, she was whipped. She promised herself that one day she would be free to have all the apples she wanted. Sure enough, after years of guiding people to freedom, she planted apple trees on her own land and was able to share them with the townspeople each fall. The simplicity of Turner’s telling does not take away from the power of the underlying issues of slavery, danger and the freedom represented by those apples. Keeter’s richly colored illustrations capture the verdant landscape during Tubman’s days of slavery and the deep blue of the night sky as she leads her people to safety. A satisfying addition to the already fascinating story. (Picture book. 7-9)
