Follow the Drinking Gourd

The first thing I liked about this book was the passage before the actual story began. It was titled, "A Note About the Story". I liked this because it gave relevance to the text. It gave the actual historical background of the topic (slavery) being discussed. This allows the reader to understand and become knowledgeable about the ideas in the story. The other thing I liked about this story was how the author decided to integrate the song into the text. She did not just put all the lyrics on one page, but rather she put the lyrics with the part of the journey they represented. For example, she put the lyrics, "When the great big river meets the little river, / Follow the drinking gourd. / For the old man is a-waiting for to carry you to show more freedom / If you follow the drinking gourd," during the part of the journey where the runaway slaves found Peg Leg Joe waiting for them with a boat. I liked this because it gave life to the song that Peg Leg Joe sang. The big idea of this story was determination when times are hard because the story included many struggles that the slaves encountered, yet the kept moving along their journey and eventually got to Canada and were free. show less

Jeanette Winter does a wonderful job depicting the struggles and hope that slaves encountered and experienced as they tried to escape north to freedom. The book begins with "A Note About the Story" in which information is given about 1840s America and the creation of the Underground Railroad. It's an easy-to-understand depiction of the network and general information about what happened to runaway slaves. Harriet Tubman and Peg Leg Joe are mentioned as "conductors" on the Railroad. The true story about "a harmless folk song" is shared here and Winter explains that the song actually included secret directions for following the Underground Railroad. The geographical locations and their ties to the song are also explained. This historical show more fiction story starts by introducing Peg Leg Joe and explaining that he was a sailor and carpenter. He worked for masters who owned slaves and as he moved from one plantation to another, he taught the song to freedom. Once the slaves learned the song, he left to the next plantation. One of the story's main characters, Molly, saw her man James sold to a new master one day. and realized their family would be ripped apart. That night, she and James sang the song together, looked out at the stars and made the decision to escape with their son Isaiah, an older woman named Hattie, and Hattie's grandson As they ran, they sang verses of the song to find their way. They traveled by night for weeks, stole sleep during the day, and encountered some people who showed kindnesses. But they also faced dangers. Finally, they met Peg Leg Joe at the Ohio River and he rowed them across. There, he explained "a path of houses stretched like a train leading north to Canada." He called it the Underground Railroad and said it "carried riders to freedom." The family traveled wearily and eventually rested and hid in homes and barns with the help of people who cared about them. They eventually follow "the drinking gourd," (aka The Big Dipper) to freedom. show less

I really enjoyed this story for many reasons. First, the storyline is very interesting for a historical fictional story for children. In addition, the background of the story is about the civil war and slavery and it can be a touchy subject to bring up to children however, this story is light enough to use it as an introduction to slavery/civil war for young children. The story was not too watered down that is completely misses the point of the civil war and all the tragedy that the historical event had but it is sensitized enough that I was suitable for children. I also really enjoyed the idea that during the repetition of the story, the author turned it into a sing-a-long. Another reason why I liked this story because of the vivid show more illustrations. The illustrations are simple but they bring a lot of value to the story telling. The pictures are also not overdone. Each small passage of words has one detailed pictures that gives a visual example to go along with the words. The main idea of this story is that a difficult journey can be worth it in the end when a person’s freedom is on the line. show less

"Follow the Drinking Gourd" was so well done.The images and the text were beautiful and emotional. I really appreciated the note about the story before you begin reading. It sets the reader up with factual information before you begin reading. This book is about a man called Peg Leg Joe who wrote a song which was actually a guide/map for slaves to follow the underground railroad to safety. He would get hired at plantations and teach the slaves the song, and once they had learned it, he would move on to a different plantation. When the time was right, the slaves sang the song and followed the “drinking gourd” which was actually the big dipper. They followed it north and it led them across the country. They encountered animals, show more hunger, and helpful strangers along the way. It was exhausting and required them to walk at night and sleep during the day. The song detailed rivers and streams they would cross until finally the song led them to the Ohio River where Peg Leg Joe was waiting with a boat to bring them to safety. Then they travelled from house to house of safety along the underground railroad until they reached Canada safely, and they were free. This story was beautiful and uplifting and gives the reader an inside look into a hard time in history. show less

Peg Leg Joe was an unsung hero in my opinion. Everybody knows about Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad yet not many know about Joe. There were numerous others I understand. This book does a really good job of explaining the Underground Railroad and I love the way it inserted the song directly into the text. This story blended reading and singing and that is always a plus for young learners.

Summary:
Follow the Drinking Gourd is about a slave family that has to find freedom because the dad was being sent to another plantation. They had met a guy named Peg Leg Joe who had taught them a song about freedom. The slave family began to sing the song and left the plantation at night to follow the drinking gourd. After traveling for weeks they get to the end of the river to see the old man waiting to take them across the river. They get to stay in different houses for a few weeks where they were fed and bathed. They eventually make it to Canada where they are safe from slavery.

Personal Reaction:
This was a really good book. I enjoyed it although at first glance at the book I did not think I would like it. It is a heart touching show more story that I would love to read to my kids one day to teach them the importance of helping out others that need help.

Classroom Extension Ideas:
1. I would use this book in a unit about slavery. I would read the story to the class and then talk about the Underground Railroad. We would sing the song that is in the back of the book and I would have them put actions with the words. That way they will remember the song and hopefully learn to help others out.

2.I could use this book in a unit about helping out other people. I would read the book and then ask the class how they help out others that need help. I would have them write their own song on how to help out someone. show less

This is such a beautiful book told in the form of a folksong that really captivates the reader and puts the reality slavery to light. From the perspective of slaves traveling along the underground railroad while managing to still be able to share the events in a positive manner is truly heartfelt. Anyone who reads this story will feel the emotion from the song lyrics and have a snip it from the vivid illustrations.