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

Bradley, Kimberly Brubaker

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0142421847 ISBN 13: 9780142421840

Publisher: Puffin, 2013

Synopsis

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.

About this title

Review:

* "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

About the Author:

Kimberly Brubaker Bradleylives on a forty-two-acre farm inBristol, Tennessee.

About this edition

• Publisher: Puffin
• Publication date: 2013
• ISBN 10: 0142421847
• ISBN 13: 9780142421840
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 360