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Discussion Questions
Pre-reading Ask students to research the Underground Railroad and Harriet Tubman’s work to make the railroad a success. Then ask them to write a brief essay that interprets the above quote. Questions to Consider 1. If someone asked you to run away with them, how would you react? 2. Was the Underground Railroad a real railroad? Why was it called that? 3. Slaves were often separated from their real families, but they worked to create a traditional family structure. Who is Samuel’s family? 4. What is Samuel’s idea of freedom? Is Harrison looking for freedom for himself, or more for Samuel? 5. There are people all along the way that help Samuel and Harrison. How does it take courage for these people to serve as guides on the Underground Railroad? 6. How does the river man help Samuel develop survival skills? 7. The Widow Taylor hides Samuel and Harrison in her cellar, but she won’t touch the coins their hands had touched. How is this an act of prejudice? Cited Resources: Random House Books For Children Discussion Guide The contents of this guide are used with permission. The copyrighted guide was created by Pat Scales, Director of Library Services, the South Carolina Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities, Greenville, South Carolina. |
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