Follow the Drinking Gourd Summary and Reviews

Follow the Drinking Gourd
by Jeanette Winter

Follow the Drinking Gourd
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Book Summary Information

Author: Jeanette Winter
Edition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 1992-01-15
ISBN: 0679819975
Number of pages: 48
Publisher: Dragonfly Books

Book Reviews of Follow the Drinking Gourd

Book Review: A Peg-Legged Man and the Underground Railroad.
Summary: 5 Stars

During the time of slavery in the United States, many slaves were able to escape and find their way north to freedom by following the Drinking Gourd--Big Dipper. As the note at the beginning of this historical children's book tells, slaves learned a folk song entitled "Follow the Drinking Gourd". Masters and overseers thought the song harmless, though nonsensical. The song actually embedded directions on how to escape from the South into freedom in the North. I had known all of this before reading FOLLOW THE DRINKING GOURD. What I didn't know was about legendary Underground Railroad conductor, Peg Leg Joe.

Using the lyrics of the song "Follow the Drinking Gourd" and the legend of Peg Leg Joe, Winter crafts a short tale about a slave family that follows the directions of the song that Joe teaches them to escape to freedom next spring. Accompanying the text are Winter's earth-toned illustrations displaying the family's escape and the dangers they endure on their journey.

The last page of the book contains the lyrics and music to the folk song "Following the Drinking Gourd."

FOLLOW THE DRINKING GOURD is an excellent tool in introducing children to the Underground Railroad. It's also a good story in teaching astronomy classes to illustrate how the stars have been used for different purposes throughout time.

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