Follow The Drinking Gourd (1992) - Plot & Excerpts
Follow the Drinking Gourd is a historical fiction book about slavery. An old white sailor named Peg Leg Joe wanted to help free the slaves. He would help the slave owner around the plantation but then at night he would teach the slaves who worked on the plantation a song that would lead them to freedom. Joe went to every plantation that he could and taught every slave on those plantations the same song about following the drinking gourd. One day, a slave named James was going to be sold to another master, tearing his family apart.James, his wife Molly, their son Isiah, old Hattie, and her grandson, George all remembered that song and decided to follow the stars to freedom. They walked all night and by daytime, they hid in trees because slave catchers were trying to find them. When night came again, they walked and remembered Joe's song. They traveled for weeks but only during the night. They finally reached the river's end and they saw the new path leading to the freedom land. Peg Leg Joe was waiting for them so that they could cross the Ohio River together. Peg Leg Joe was taking them on a path known as the Underground Railroad. Along the way, the family would be hidden away in safe houses until it was safe enough to travel again. The families of the safe houses helped the slaves all that they could. The slaves were able to rest and their wounds were healed. They were offered warm beds, hot meals, clothes, baths and the most important thing was protection. Still following the drinking gourd, the slaves ended up on the shores of Lake Erie. The family of five boarded upon a steamship which carried them to Canada. At last, they were safe and earned their freedom because they followed the drinking gourd. This book is for children that are in the intermediate ages because slavery should not be taken lightly and more mature children should read it. All the illustrations in this book have a shape which is a rectangle. Within the picture, there is a definite line where the colors meet. The colors are more earthy colors like brown, gray, green and blue. There are not really bright colors because the illustrator is trying to keep the mood of the book sad because the topic is sad. Brighter colors are not used until the very ending because they get their freedom and are happy. I would recommend this book because slavery was an important part of our history. Even though it was not fair, it needed to be examined so that America did not do the same thing over again. This book would be great to introduce to students during Black History month so that they can realize the hardship that the slaves had to endure in order to get to the freedom land.
This is a clear, simply written introduction to the concept of the Underground Railroad. The pictures add to the story by underlying some of the dangers that were present as well as the courage of the enslaved people who chose to try to take their own freedom by traveling to Canada. The characters do remain flat throughout, but the difficulties they go through help to make the situation and the adventure inherent in it come alive for children, even quite young ones. It's also good to see the helpers or agents and conductors in this version, underscoring the idea there were people against slavery. The added material includes the musical arrangement for the song, an activity to design a secret song, a mini-quiz, an explanation of gourds and the constellations involved, and an introduction that gives further information on the history of the underground railroad along with Harriet Tubman and Peg Leg Joe (who might well be a composite person, but probably has some historical basis). The quality of the illustrations is simple, feeling almost like paper cut-outs at times, but it works very well with the story. On the whole, particularly in states that have a direct connection to the Underground Railroad, this book works together very well.
What do You think about Follow The Drinking Gourd (1992)?
Follow the Drinking Gourd is a heartwarming tale about the risky lives of slaves seeking out freedom through the use of Peg Leg Joe's secret song. The slaves sing the song, which gives the clues to freedom in another place up North. The slaves follow the directions and the moonlit sky where the Big Dipper leads the way from harm to sefety. Peg Leg Joe escorts these brave slaves to helpful strangers who can lead them to their goal...and freedom in Canada. As they step foot on their new land, this family sees the light in life and the journey they took to get there. And it all started with a song called, "Follow the Drinking Gourd. The written word outweighs the dull pictures.
—Natalie Zagara
Before the Civil War, an old sailor named Peg Leg Joe made his way from plantation to plantation, working odd jobs and teaching the slaves a simple folk song. Little did the slave owners know that “Follow the Drinking Gourd” actually contained directions for following the Underground Railroad to freedom. The runaway slaves must face many dangers on their journey, but they also meet with the kindness of strangers as they make their way to Canada and freedom. Winter uses rhythmic verses blended with simple text to tell her tale. Her illustrations bring a sense of urgency and secrecy to the tale, giving readers a deeper understanding of the danger that slaves faced on the Underground Railroad. This book would be a good choice to introduce young readers to this troubling aspect of our nation’s history. (Ages 6 and up)
—Tracey Melcher
"Follow the Drinking Gourd" by Jeanette Winter is an excellent children's historical fiction book about the Underground Railroad. It follows the story of Peg Leg Joe and his efforts to help slaves runaway to freedom in the North. It is a simple read that dives into the thoughts, fears, motivation, and tribulations of a family that is running away in hopes of freedom and a new life. I believe students will enjoy this book because of the unique illustrations and the song that is present throughout the story. Having students learn the song and sing along would be a great way to engage them!More specifically, I could see this book being used in my classroom for a lesson about connecting to reading and extending thinking. I think I would initially use this as a read-aloud and have students re-read it independently during extension activities. I can see several activities that would align well with this book. -Students could write their own song to communicate with others-Students could write letters from the perspectives of the slaves to Peg Leg Joe-Students could draw a map of the slaves' journey and the drinking gourd-Whole class discussion about slavery and the Underground Railroad-Students could discuss from the perspective of different people involved (Underground Railroad homeowners, runaway slaves, Peg Leg Joe, etc.)-Students could complete an activity where they have to connect the book to something in their lives, in the news, etc. Overall, I think this book allows for the opportunity for students to be creative, think abstractly about the text, and take on the perspective of people in another time. I highly suggest this book for all classroom libraries.
—Holly Berk
