Follow the Drinking Gourd
Publication Information
Author:  Winter, Jeanette	Illustrator:  Winter, Jeanette
Title:  Follow the Drinking Gourd	Date:  1998
Publisher:	City:
ISBN, paperback:	ISBN, hardback:  0-679-81997-5
Recommended audience:
ABE/ABLE:   Yes	ESOL:
Family:   Yes	Young Adult:
Picture:
General Information:
Book Type(s):    easy reading, historical fiction
HSE Descriptor(s):    social studies
Summary:
Peg Leg Joe travels from plantation to plantation teaching slaves the song "Follow the Drinking Gourd," which conceals directions for the route north to freedom. The book follows one slave family as they are directed north to the Underground Railroad and Canada.
Teaching Ideas:
The book could be used in text sets on the Underground Railroad, Harriet Tubman, and folk artists. The front matter could be used to learn about astronomy, perhaps exploring where the gourd points from different places such as South Carolina vs. western Kentucky. Map and math skills could be included to discuss escape routes, miles per day, and estimated days to freedom slaves may have experienced.
Keywords: select any link below for a list of resources which also have that keyword
Ethnic Groups > African-American Emotions-Personal Issues > emotions > determination/perseverance Emotions-Personal Issues > personal issues > group > leadership History > region > U.S. history > well-known people > Tubman, Harriet History > topic > war > Civil War > Underground Railroad Literature and Language > figurative language > symbolism Science > astronomy > stars

We welcome your comments