Jefferson's Sons: A Founding Father's Secret Children

by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley

Overview

This story of Thomas Jefferson's children by one of his slaves, Sally Hemings, tells a darker piece of America's history from an often unseen perspective-that of three of Jefferson's slaves-including two of his own children. As each child grows up and tells his story, the contradiction between slavery and freedom becomes starker, calliing into question the real meaning of "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." This poignant story sheds light on what life was like as one of Jefferson's invisible offspring.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781101529454
Publisher:	Penguin Young Readers Group
Publication date:	09/15/2011
Sold by:	Penguin Group
Format:	eBook
Pages:	384
Lexile:	600L (what's this?)
File size:	1 MB
Age Range:	9 - 12 Years

About the Author

Kimberly Brubaker Bradley
lives on a forty-two-acre farm in
Bristol, Tennessee.

Editorial Reviews

* “[an] eye-opening and powerful novel.

The Horn Book

* “Bradley’s sensitive and richly imagined vision pays respect to those who struggled for lives of stability and dignity, even as the whims and fortunes of the Jeffersons shifted beneath them.

Bulletin of the Center for Childrens Books

This well-researched and moving novel provides insight into their lives as it raises important and difficult questions.

American Library Association

The young innocents’ elemental questions raise fundamental issues for the reader. How could founding father Jefferson sell off Maddy’s best friend? What does it mean, ‘all people are created equal?’

Booklist

* “A big, serious work of historical investigation and imagination; the tale has never before been told this well.” — Kirkus, starred review

* “[an] eye-opening and powerful novel.” — The Horn Book, starred review

* “Bradley’s fine characterization and cinematic prose breathe life into this tragic story.” — School Library Journal, starred review

* “Bradley’s sensitive and richly imagined vision pays respect to those who struggled for lives of stability and dignity, even as the whims and fortunes of the Jeffersons shifted beneath them.” — Bulletin of the Center for Childrens Books, starred review

“This well-researched and moving novel provides insight into their lives as it raises important and difficult questions.” — American Library Association

“The young innocents’ elemental questions raise fundamental issues for the reader. How could founding father Jefferson sell off Maddy’s best friend? What does it mean, ‘all people are created equal?’” — Booklist

From the Publisher