Ona Judge outwits the Washingtons An enslaved woman fights for freedom

Gr 4--6--Born to a white indentured servant father and an enslaved African woman, Ona Judge grew up on the Virginia plantation of George and Martha Washington. Judge learned to sew and worked with her mother inside the plantation home; she became a talented seamstress. When the Washingtons moved from Mount Vernon to the capital upon George's election as president, she traveled with the couple and was ordered to specifically attend to Martha. Living in large Northern cities, Judge learned about freedom; she began to plot her escape from slavery. In May 1796, Judge fled the president's home. Eventually she found safety in New Hampshire. She was able to maintain her freedom and avoid capture by agents from President Washington. She married a free black man named Jack Staines in 1797, and they raised a family. Despite several attempts to lure Judge back to Mount Vernon with the promise of her freedom, Washington was never able to persuade Judge to return: she remained free. The author includes a brief bibliography. Drawings are simple and one-dimensional. VERDICT The attention-grabbing text and unique illustrations will make this a welcome addition for all history collections.--Patricia Ann Owens, formerly at Illinois Eastern Community College, Mt. Carmel

A little-known true story of a slave sheds new light on George Washington and his family.Ona Maria Judge was born a slave on Mount Vernon, the Virginia plantation of George Washington, commander of the Continental Army during the American Revolution. Ona's mother, Betty, served as the Washington family seamstress and imparted needlework skills to Ona, which enabled her to escape harsh fieldwork conditions by becoming a house slave. When Washington was elected president, the family relocated to New York City, moving Onanow Martha Washington's personal slaveher brother Austin, and five other slaves with them in 1789. After a return to Mount Vernon, the family moved again to Philadelphia, the new capital. With the abolitionist movement gaining momentum, Ona realized the Washingtons would not free her; she would have to take her freedom. In 1796, when Mrs. Washington promised Ona as a wedding gift to her granddaughter, Ona decided to escape, assisted by the Rev. Richard Allen, a free black man, and others, to New Hampshire. The narrator emphasizes just how hard the Washington family tried to force Ona to return to them, using deception whenever possible. While this story offers important historical information, it is text-heavy, with an accretion of distracting details. The nave-style illustrations are colorful but inconsistent, particularly in their evocation of the period, which will also limit this book's appeal to children.A worthwhile story poorly told. (author's note, bibliography) (Picture book/biography. 6-9) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.