Freedom Train: The Story of Harriet Tubman

Which adult in the story seems to have the most influence over who Harriet Tubman eventually becomes as an adult? How is this person’s impact on Harriet traceable to specific aspects of her adult life?

Sterling mentions several prominent white abolitionists—including John Brown, Amos Bronson Acott, Louisa May Alcott, Thomas Garrett, and Ralph Waldo Emerson. Choose one of these figures to learn more about. Explain this person’s contributions to abolitionism and evaluate their importance to the cause.

In what ways does the narrative make it sound like Harriet’s life in the North held less oppression? In what ways does it acknowledge that she still suffered some forms of oppression, even in the North? How realistic is Sterling’s portrayal of conditions for Northern Black people in the middle of the 1800s?

Sterling intended Freedom Train to be inspirational, particularly to young female readers. What choices does she make as an author to try to achieve this purpose? Where and how could she have perhaps drawn more inspiration?

Sterling briefly mentions William Still. Do some research on William. In what ways were William’s and Harriet’s efforts similar or different, and how should we understand their respective impacts on the fight for freedom?

Research one of the national parks or museums devoted to Harriet. How does this location memorialize her? What aspects of her life does it highlight, and how does this compare with the aspects of her life that Sterling chooses to emphasize in Freedom Train?

Harriet’s work on the Underground Railroad is aimed at helping Black people self-emancipate from slavery. In her later years, how does Harriet show concern for women, children, sick people, poor people, and elderly people? What does this tell you about Harriet’s beliefs about people?

Besides her work on the Underground Railroad, what are some other ways that Harriet served her community? Choose one of her projects to research and develop an argument about the significance of this specific contribution to the world.