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Harriet's Daughter
A beautifully written and paced story, sure to capture the imagination of both teenagers and adult readers. Set in Toronto, two girls, Margaret -- a second generation West Indian immigrant -- and Sulma -- fresh up from a joyous life with her grandmother in Tobago to a tense and unhappy relationship with her mother and stepfather -- become friends and comrades in various adventures.
150 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1988
49 people are currently reading
595 people want to read
About the author
Marlene NourbeSe Philip
20 books99 followersM. NOURBESE PHILIP is a poet and writer and lawyer who lives in the City of Toronto. She was born in Tobago and now lives in Canada. In l965, when graduating from Bishop Anstey High School, M. NOURBESE PHILIP was awarded the Cipriani Memorial Scholarship for standing first in a Caribbean wide examination at the high school level. This award entitled her to carry out her undergraduate studies at the University of the West Indies. In l968 Ms NOURBESE PHILIP received her B.Sc.(Econ.) degree from the University of the West Indies.
M. NOURBESE PHILIP completed a Masters degree in Political Science (1970) as well as a degree in law at the University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada(1973). She practised law for seven years in Toronto, first at Parkdale Community Services and then in the partnership, Jemmott and Philip. During this time she completed two books of poetry. In l983 she gave up the practice of law to devote more time to writing.
Although primarily a poet, NourbeSe Philip also writes both fiction and non-fiction. She has published three books of poetry, Thorns - l980, Salmon Courage - 1983 and She Tries Her Tongue; Her Silence Softly Breaks - 1988 and has been the recipient of Canada Council awards, numerous Ontario Arts Council grants and was the recipient of a Toronto Arts Council award in l989.
In l988 M. NOURBESE PHILIP won the prestigious Casa de las Americas prize for the manuscript version of her book, She Tries Her Tongue... She is also the l988 first prize winner of the Tradewinds Collective prize (Trinidad & Tobago) in both the poetry and the short story categories.
Ms NOURBESE PHILIP's first novel, Harriet's Daughter, was published in l988 by Heinemann (England) and The Women's Press (Canada). This book was one of two runners up in the l989 Canadian Library Association Prize for children's literature. Harriet's Daughter was also first runner up in the Max and Greta Abel Award for Multicultural Literature. Her second novel, Looking For Livingstone: An Odyssey of Silence, was published in l991. In l994, NOURBESE PHILIP's short story, "Stop Frame" was awarded the Lawrence Foundation Award by the journal, Prairie Schooner.
In 1990, M. NOURBESE PHILIP was made a Guggenheim Fellow in poetry and in 1991 became a McDowell Fellow.
M. NOURBESE PHILIP'S short stories, essays, reviews and articles have appeared in magazines and journals in North America and England, and her poetry has been extensively anthologized. Her work - poetry, fiction and non-fiction is taught widely at the university level and is the subject of much academic writing and critique. She has taught creative fiction at the third year level at York University.
Two collections of Ms PHILIP's essays, Frontiers: Essays and Writings on Racism and Culture and Showing Grit: Showboating North of the 44th Parallel, were published in November l992 and June l993. CARIBANA: African roots and continuities -Race, Space and the Poetics of Moving was published as a chap book in 1996 and a third essay collection, Genealogy of Resistance and Other Essays-followed in 1997.
In 1995 M. NOURBESE PHILIP was awarded the Toronto Arts Award in writing and publishing.
M. NOURBESE PHILIP's first play, Coups and Calypsos, was produced in both London, England and in Toronto during 1999. A stage adaptation of Harriet's Daughter, her popular novel for young adults was successfully work-shopped in both 2000 and 2001 using a script written by the author.
In 2001 NourbeSe Philip was recognized for her work as "a revolutionary poet, writer and thinker" by the Elizabeth Fry Society of Toronto which presented her their 2001 Rebels for a Cause award .
That year M. NOURBESE PHILIP was also the recipient of the YWCA Woman of Distinction award in the Arts.
Her nominees stated:
"The experiences of Black women and girls are foremost in NourbeSe's works, as are issues of belonging, language, place and location."
In 2001 Nourbese Philip was
M. NOURBESE PHILIP completed a Masters degree in Political Science (1970) as well as a degree in law at the University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada(1973). She practised law for seven years in Toronto, first at Parkdale Community Services and then in the partnership, Jemmott and Philip. During this time she completed two books of poetry. In l983 she gave up the practice of law to devote more time to writing.
Although primarily a poet, NourbeSe Philip also writes both fiction and non-fiction. She has published three books of poetry, Thorns - l980, Salmon Courage - 1983 and She Tries Her Tongue; Her Silence Softly Breaks - 1988 and has been the recipient of Canada Council awards, numerous Ontario Arts Council grants and was the recipient of a Toronto Arts Council award in l989.
In l988 M. NOURBESE PHILIP won the prestigious Casa de las Americas prize for the manuscript version of her book, She Tries Her Tongue... She is also the l988 first prize winner of the Tradewinds Collective prize (Trinidad & Tobago) in both the poetry and the short story categories.
Ms NOURBESE PHILIP's first novel, Harriet's Daughter, was published in l988 by Heinemann (England) and The Women's Press (Canada). This book was one of two runners up in the l989 Canadian Library Association Prize for children's literature. Harriet's Daughter was also first runner up in the Max and Greta Abel Award for Multicultural Literature. Her second novel, Looking For Livingstone: An Odyssey of Silence, was published in l991. In l994, NOURBESE PHILIP's short story, "Stop Frame" was awarded the Lawrence Foundation Award by the journal, Prairie Schooner.
In 1990, M. NOURBESE PHILIP was made a Guggenheim Fellow in poetry and in 1991 became a McDowell Fellow.
M. NOURBESE PHILIP'S short stories, essays, reviews and articles have appeared in magazines and journals in North America and England, and her poetry has been extensively anthologized. Her work - poetry, fiction and non-fiction is taught widely at the university level and is the subject of much academic writing and critique. She has taught creative fiction at the third year level at York University.
Two collections of Ms PHILIP's essays, Frontiers: Essays and Writings on Racism and Culture and Showing Grit: Showboating North of the 44th Parallel, were published in November l992 and June l993. CARIBANA: African roots and continuities -Race, Space and the Poetics of Moving was published as a chap book in 1996 and a third essay collection, Genealogy of Resistance and Other Essays-followed in 1997.
In 1995 M. NOURBESE PHILIP was awarded the Toronto Arts Award in writing and publishing.
M. NOURBESE PHILIP's first play, Coups and Calypsos, was produced in both London, England and in Toronto during 1999. A stage adaptation of Harriet's Daughter, her popular novel for young adults was successfully work-shopped in both 2000 and 2001 using a script written by the author.
In 2001 NourbeSe Philip was recognized for her work as "a revolutionary poet, writer and thinker" by the Elizabeth Fry Society of Toronto which presented her their 2001 Rebels for a Cause award .
That year M. NOURBESE PHILIP was also the recipient of the YWCA Woman of Distinction award in the Arts.
Her nominees stated:
"The experiences of Black women and girls are foremost in NourbeSe's works, as are issues of belonging, language, place and location."
In 2001 Nourbese Philip was
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April 26, 2012"Harriet Tubman was brave and strong, and she was black like me. I think it was the first time I thought of wanting to be called Harriet - I wanted to be Harriet. " Margaret is determined to be someone, to be cool, with style and class and have a blacker skin. More than anything she wants to help her best friend, Zulma, escape from Canada and fly back to Tobago to live with her grandmother. She compiles a list: "Things I want changed in my life" and set about achieving her objectives. But at fourteen, coming to terms with growing up, relationships, and responsibilities is not quite so straightforward, and the parental threat of "Good West Indian Discipline" is never far removed. In this charming, humorous, and perceptive tale of adolescence, Marlene Nourbese Philip explores the friendship of two young black girls and throws into sharp relief the wider issues of culture and identity so relevant to teenagers of all races and colours.
April 5, 2021
Amazing re-read of my childhood classic. Very well-told story of a young Caribbean first generation girl living in Toronto who invents an Underground Railroad game in her neighbourhood. This young adult book covers topics including immigration, domestic violence, friendship, and coming of age. Margaret is such a memorable character. Great work!
October 4, 2013
Harriet's Daughter is an interesting story about fourteen-year-old Margaret. She is trying had to be someone with 'style and class.' But the more she tries to come to terms with growing-up, relationships and responsibilities, the more things become confusing and her father's threat of 'Good West Indian Discipline' seems to be always at hand. But no matter what Margaret's insights continue to be profound.
http://inkwellbook.blogspot.ca/2013/10/review-harriets-daughter-by-m-nourbese.html
http://inkwellbook.blogspot.ca/2013/10/review-harriets-daughter-by-m-nourbese.html
September 6, 2007
This book introduces its' readers to the life of immigrant families. Issues such as identity and the patriarchal family arises from this book as well as Mothering.
October 24, 2014
Glimpsing into a life of a girl who is trying to understand life. I identified with her at that of my life. Freedom!
Want to read
October 15, 2016This book is some thing like me wow
July 4, 2025
Harriet's Daughter is a captivating book with a very engaging first person narration from Margaret, oh wait, I mean, Harriet, as she navigates life as a 14-year-old black girl in Canada faced with misogyny. Her friendship with Zulma is the heart of the novel and drives the plot forward. Their friendship even strengthens the bonds among the other female characters in the novel as they work together to help and support each other.
Female friendships are so very important. This cannot be overstated in a world today that, despite the connectivity provided by technology, lacks genuine human connections. Margaret realizes that it is ok to need someone and lean on someone for help. Her mother, Tina, wants to badly to be there for her but struggled to do so because of her difficulty in understanding her own daughter and her subordination to her husband, Cuthbert, who thinks he knows best as the man of the house.
Margaret even comes to understand her sister, Jo-ann, more than before, despite their differences. Even though she is really hard on her sister, Jo-ann proved to be there when it mattered for Margaret and it is good that she acknowledges that. I don't think Margaret is completely reliable as a narrator when it comes to Jo-ann. I think that she is envious and therefore far harsher on her sister than she ought to be. However, Jo-ann can be mean to Margaret and Margaret can certainly dish it out right back to her.
Zulma and her mother live in another kind of misogynistic household. While Cuthbert is never shown to be physically abusive, he definitely is emotionally abusive and threatens Margaret with physical abuse in the form of 'Good West Indian Discipline.' However, Marlene NourbeSe Philip makes sure to show physical abuse rather than just the threat of it in Frank beating his wife, Carol, and stepdaughter, Zulma. He wants control over them, otherwise he would have just let Zulma go back to Tobago. He also wants control of Carol's money and I love that this book highlights the importance of financial independence to women's safety and security. Never, ever, give up your financial independence. Your money is what will allow you to leave abusive relationships.
Mrs. Billings or Mrs. B is a lady everybody needs in their lives. Mrs. B is the person who is removed enough from the situation but worldly and non-judgmental enough to provide honest advice that can help you to get some perspective on life. Mrs. B is a mentor to the girls and is perhaps the kind of woman that Margaret looks up to and emulate as an adult. She is sharp and managed to get herself a decent husband. She never settled for less and Margaret has said that she could never live like Carol and Tina.
More women need to come together to help each other and show each other the way. Show that you don't need to stay with an abusive man. You don't need to settle. You can live just fine without all of that. It is not something that you MUST do. You do not HAVE to do it. Too many women just don't realise that that choice is there available to them. Having a man and his so-called 'love' ought not to be your goal in life. It should be something that enhances your life not the end goal. If it isn't enhancing your life and adding to your happiness then break up and move on.
Female friendships are so very important. This cannot be overstated in a world today that, despite the connectivity provided by technology, lacks genuine human connections. Margaret realizes that it is ok to need someone and lean on someone for help. Her mother, Tina, wants to badly to be there for her but struggled to do so because of her difficulty in understanding her own daughter and her subordination to her husband, Cuthbert, who thinks he knows best as the man of the house.
Margaret even comes to understand her sister, Jo-ann, more than before, despite their differences. Even though she is really hard on her sister, Jo-ann proved to be there when it mattered for Margaret and it is good that she acknowledges that. I don't think Margaret is completely reliable as a narrator when it comes to Jo-ann. I think that she is envious and therefore far harsher on her sister than she ought to be. However, Jo-ann can be mean to Margaret and Margaret can certainly dish it out right back to her.
Zulma and her mother live in another kind of misogynistic household. While Cuthbert is never shown to be physically abusive, he definitely is emotionally abusive and threatens Margaret with physical abuse in the form of 'Good West Indian Discipline.' However, Marlene NourbeSe Philip makes sure to show physical abuse rather than just the threat of it in Frank beating his wife, Carol, and stepdaughter, Zulma. He wants control over them, otherwise he would have just let Zulma go back to Tobago. He also wants control of Carol's money and I love that this book highlights the importance of financial independence to women's safety and security. Never, ever, give up your financial independence. Your money is what will allow you to leave abusive relationships.
Mrs. Billings or Mrs. B is a lady everybody needs in their lives. Mrs. B is the person who is removed enough from the situation but worldly and non-judgmental enough to provide honest advice that can help you to get some perspective on life. Mrs. B is a mentor to the girls and is perhaps the kind of woman that Margaret looks up to and emulate as an adult. She is sharp and managed to get herself a decent husband. She never settled for less and Margaret has said that she could never live like Carol and Tina.
More women need to come together to help each other and show each other the way. Show that you don't need to stay with an abusive man. You don't need to settle. You can live just fine without all of that. It is not something that you MUST do. You do not HAVE to do it. Too many women just don't realise that that choice is there available to them. Having a man and his so-called 'love' ought not to be your goal in life. It should be something that enhances your life not the end goal. If it isn't enhancing your life and adding to your happiness then break up and move on.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 25, 2019
Local novels are always so special for me. A good representation of our language and culture tends to just warm my heart and make me smile. I love that Philip is Tobagonian and I love how she promotes the beauty of the islands and celebrates blackness. Margaret is an unforgettable and "faysty" character who leads, loves and learns. Though I questioned Mrs. B's involvement in the children's plans and the coverall representation of men, it is still a lovely little story on friendship, family relationships and gender relations.
January 24, 2022
I read this for my school's Literature class and loved it. It is a very well-told story of a first generation Caribbean girl living in Canada and to some extent, a good representation of Caribbean culture in North America. Margaret is a memorable coming-of-age character.
October 6, 2019
This books give a little bit of everything. Written in first person, it is a convincing insight into the challenges children can face to navigate their lives.
June 22, 2020
I read this years ago and I still remember how much I loved it.
January 28, 2021
The best.
January 29, 2021
Read for CHL 413-Realism, spring 2021. I really enjoyed this one! Margaret/Harriet is a great character and the cultural details and exploration of toxic masculinity were great!
May 1, 2021
Read this book in secondary school for an English literature assignment. Great story, might re-read time permits.
August 1, 2013
Harriet's Daughter is a short but very good book. M. Nourbese Philip has crafted a YA novel here that really does give insight to the authentic first generation Caribbean-Canadian experience at least the female perspective.
Margaret "Harriet" Cruickshank is everything you could want in a female protagonist. She's plucky, she's fairly brave, and she has an eye for excitement. Her new friend the "fresh off the boat" Zulma is equally interesting to follow. Her desire to return to Tobago is so intense it's manifested in a way that is heart wrenching to read. It's only obvious that Margaret would want to help her and it's a testament to her strength of character that she remains focused on this goal. Margaret like many children in stories is basically ignorant and naive (quite frankly I would go ahead and say stupid) when it comes to adult matters. This is a trait she shares with numerous fictional children but it does make it all the more impressive that though she does have other concerns, and dreams throughout the narrative she managed to maintain a steady desire to help her dear friend.
In terms of characterization there were only two characters who didn't get particularly humanized. Ti-Cush was the first one. As Margaret's best friend before the arrival of Zuma. Ti-Cush initially shows a jealousy towards the new girl that was a not very subtle pettiness. And yet I would have liked to see her explored. Margaret and Zulma see her as petty and depressive and yet from her perspective it must have been frustrating to have what appears to be one of her only friends latch on to someone else and to become a third wheel. Ti-Cush is the character who becomes in charge of the Hunters and Dogs during the Underground Railroad games. It was a role she didn't want and it might be easy to see why. While the other two teams were working together to escape. Ti-Cush is effectively isolated leading a team by herself. Eventually
The other missing character is Jonathan Cruickshank aka "Rib Roast Prime Minister". After reading the book it's easily possible that most readers wouldn't even remember his name. Whereas Margaret eventually comes to terms with her sister Jo-Ann and even comes to appreciate her father Cuthbert. Her brother is functionally dismissed. When reading the book I was often under the assumption that the elder brother was college aged and thus not a part of the daily family routine. As a female oriented book it's understandable that men would play a lesser role than they traditionally do but Jonathan reads like he was an idea that was never completed.
Beyond that the characterizations the book is laid out in three distinct acts. The first act either alienating or aligning depending on whether or not the reader is West Indian. In addition to establishing the characters it serves to introduce the reader to the realities of West Indians newly arrived in Canada. The language of their culture, and the various dysfunctions. Through the eyes of a child are seen the struggle for these newcomers to fit into the local culture and maintain their own. While they aren't portrayed with much sympathy (especially the men) the adults struggle to maintain their sense of identity between what they should be and what they are.
There are subtexts of sexuality and suppression thereof that make an interesting case for shedding the sometimes oppressive lifestyles of the West Indies and yet pride is valued as well as respect. The adults demand respect from children though there is evidence that they don't get it from other adults.
Narratively the biggest flaw is that the book is very sectioned into it's triads. Rather than interweaving emotional relevance into the social texts of the first third they're almost non-existent. It could easily be frustrating to some readers. Those who are not part of a West Indian identity might have difficulty with the first third as even understanding the ethnic expressions of "Tobago-talk". Those who enjoyed the adventuring and imagination of the game might find the more saccharine section that ends the book to be too much or an ill-fit with the rest of the book.
While the book does a better job of being a relatable device for the West Indian community, it does a commendable job of being accessible to those outside of it. The West Indian syntax structure is preserved but the language isn't presented as phonetic morphemes and is thus a lot easier for a western audience to understand.
Margaret "Harriet" Cruickshank is everything you could want in a female protagonist. She's plucky, she's fairly brave, and she has an eye for excitement. Her new friend the "fresh off the boat" Zulma is equally interesting to follow. Her desire to return to Tobago is so intense it's manifested in a way that is heart wrenching to read. It's only obvious that Margaret would want to help her and it's a testament to her strength of character that she remains focused on this goal. Margaret like many children in stories is basically ignorant and naive (quite frankly I would go ahead and say stupid) when it comes to adult matters. This is a trait she shares with numerous fictional children but it does make it all the more impressive that though she does have other concerns, and dreams throughout the narrative she managed to maintain a steady desire to help her dear friend.
In terms of characterization there were only two characters who didn't get particularly humanized. Ti-Cush was the first one. As Margaret's best friend before the arrival of Zuma. Ti-Cush initially shows a jealousy towards the new girl that was a not very subtle pettiness. And yet I would have liked to see her explored. Margaret and Zulma see her as petty and depressive and yet from her perspective it must have been frustrating to have what appears to be one of her only friends latch on to someone else and to become a third wheel. Ti-Cush is the character who becomes in charge of the Hunters and Dogs during the Underground Railroad games. It was a role she didn't want and it might be easy to see why. While the other two teams were working together to escape. Ti-Cush is effectively isolated leading a team by herself. Eventually
The other missing character is Jonathan Cruickshank aka "Rib Roast Prime Minister". After reading the book it's easily possible that most readers wouldn't even remember his name. Whereas Margaret eventually comes to terms with her sister Jo-Ann and even comes to appreciate her father Cuthbert. Her brother is functionally dismissed. When reading the book I was often under the assumption that the elder brother was college aged and thus not a part of the daily family routine. As a female oriented book it's understandable that men would play a lesser role than they traditionally do but Jonathan reads like he was an idea that was never completed.
Beyond that the characterizations the book is laid out in three distinct acts. The first act either alienating or aligning depending on whether or not the reader is West Indian. In addition to establishing the characters it serves to introduce the reader to the realities of West Indians newly arrived in Canada. The language of their culture, and the various dysfunctions. Through the eyes of a child are seen the struggle for these newcomers to fit into the local culture and maintain their own. While they aren't portrayed with much sympathy (especially the men) the adults struggle to maintain their sense of identity between what they should be and what they are.
There are subtexts of sexuality and suppression thereof that make an interesting case for shedding the sometimes oppressive lifestyles of the West Indies and yet pride is valued as well as respect. The adults demand respect from children though there is evidence that they don't get it from other adults.
Narratively the biggest flaw is that the book is very sectioned into it's triads. Rather than interweaving emotional relevance into the social texts of the first third they're almost non-existent. It could easily be frustrating to some readers. Those who are not part of a West Indian identity might have difficulty with the first third as even understanding the ethnic expressions of "Tobago-talk". Those who enjoyed the adventuring and imagination of the game might find the more saccharine section that ends the book to be too much or an ill-fit with the rest of the book.
While the book does a better job of being a relatable device for the West Indian community, it does a commendable job of being accessible to those outside of it. The West Indian syntax structure is preserved but the language isn't presented as phonetic morphemes and is thus a lot easier for a western audience to understand.
December 4, 2009
How I Came To Read This Book: My prof picked it for our Fiction for Children course.
The Plot: Margaret is a 14-year-old black girl living in Toronto, and best friends with a girl named Zulma from the West Indies who wants nothing more to escape Canada and return to Tobago to live with her grandma. Margaret is frustrated with her overall lack of autonomy and finds inspiration through Underground Railway heroine Harriet Tubman – determined to both make changes in her own life and assist Zulma in her quest, the book develops as a coming of age story.
The Good & The Bad: This book is what I would call, important. It’s so different than most young adult fiction, and most Canadian young adult fiction, in that it’s about young black women, immigrants at that, straining the lines between their old culture and their new one. Margaret represents generations of first generation Canadians from the time this book is set to present day, wondering what parts of their lives should take priority. That being said, the book is also kind of boring. It takes too much work to read, and this is coming from someone who read it as an adult. The book doesn’t make things relatable enough – so while it’s an important read, it fails to connect with the reader because it’s trying too hard to be ‘important’.
The Bottom Line: A valuable book that could have been written better.
Anything Memorable: In a class where we studied some more common works – Nancy Drew, The Chocolate War, etc. – we also studied some quite uncommon, Canadian works as well. The objective in this instance was to show us a piece of fiction that focused on a very Canadian experience – the cultural mosaic – but also to force the publisher to continue printing this book. It was first published in the late 80s, and the only way it’ll stay in print is if professors like ours choose to have 45 students buy a book that isn’t readily available in any other way.
50-Book Challenge?: Nein.
The Plot: Margaret is a 14-year-old black girl living in Toronto, and best friends with a girl named Zulma from the West Indies who wants nothing more to escape Canada and return to Tobago to live with her grandma. Margaret is frustrated with her overall lack of autonomy and finds inspiration through Underground Railway heroine Harriet Tubman – determined to both make changes in her own life and assist Zulma in her quest, the book develops as a coming of age story.
The Good & The Bad: This book is what I would call, important. It’s so different than most young adult fiction, and most Canadian young adult fiction, in that it’s about young black women, immigrants at that, straining the lines between their old culture and their new one. Margaret represents generations of first generation Canadians from the time this book is set to present day, wondering what parts of their lives should take priority. That being said, the book is also kind of boring. It takes too much work to read, and this is coming from someone who read it as an adult. The book doesn’t make things relatable enough – so while it’s an important read, it fails to connect with the reader because it’s trying too hard to be ‘important’.
The Bottom Line: A valuable book that could have been written better.
Anything Memorable: In a class where we studied some more common works – Nancy Drew, The Chocolate War, etc. – we also studied some quite uncommon, Canadian works as well. The objective in this instance was to show us a piece of fiction that focused on a very Canadian experience – the cultural mosaic – but also to force the publisher to continue printing this book. It was first published in the late 80s, and the only way it’ll stay in print is if professors like ours choose to have 45 students buy a book that isn’t readily available in any other way.
50-Book Challenge?: Nein.
August 1, 2015
I liked this story for the big themes it brings up; identity and names, and feminism, and controlling children, and the power that adults hold over them with their "i know best" bullshit attitude. Come on. That is total fucking bullshit. And I hated Margaret's father trying to control her and being a dumb fucking unreasonable asshole. And Mr. Clarke, who the hell does he think he is, abusing his wife and child? (He should've been punished)
But all in all, I'm glad Margaret and Zulma got to go to Tobago to see Zulma's grandmother over the summer - and how the secret was revealed at the end of their trip was great - the tension!! And I just loved the part where Margaret's mom finally stood up to her dad and gave her him a piece of her mind. YES! YES FINALLY!!
But all in all, I'm glad Margaret and Zulma got to go to Tobago to see Zulma's grandmother over the summer - and how the secret was revealed at the end of their trip was great - the tension!! And I just loved the part where Margaret's mom finally stood up to her dad and gave her him a piece of her mind. YES! YES FINALLY!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 1, 2016
Set in Toronto, Canada, this novel follows the journey of young Harriet as she learns to feel proud of the heritage behind her name. She learns of many Harriets, including Harriet Tubman, which is part of the inspiration behind the Underground Railroad game the children begin to play. The novel does not shy away from the realities of being a young black teenager, and pays particular attention to what that means for young black girls. Highly recommended.
June 20, 2009
Read this at school when I was 13 - another coming of age story about an adolescent girl of West Indian descent, growing up in Toronto,Canada while trying to figure out who she is in the midst of ''good West Indian discipline'' and the culture of the dominant society. Very enjoyable!
April 26, 2016
I read this book in high school lit. Thanks to this book I learnt about the Underground Railroad and who Harriet Tubman was. Today she is on the twenty dollar bill. The author of this book should be proud that she taught Caribbean children all about the Underground Railroad.
February 5, 2011
This is one of those books I read a really long time ago back in high scool so actually my rating for it may be a bit unfair...
June 23, 2014
http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m6m...
I dunno why but I can't upload the gif itself... My copy/paste obviously hates me... So here is the link.
I dunno why but I can't upload the gif itself... My copy/paste obviously hates me... So here is the link.
Read
November 12, 2013it's interesting
July 26, 2015
loved it
October 8, 2015
This is the best literature book I have ever read at school,this book is full of humor and love and adventure.
April 13, 2021
read it in grade 9
Read
May 31, 2018is awesome
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews