Ona Judge Outwits the Washingtons: An Enslaved Woman Fights for Freedom

This compelling chapter book tells the true story of Ona Judge, an enslaved woman who defied George and Martha Washington to gain her freedom. It vividly recounts her life at Mount Vernon and the President's Mansion, her courageous escape to New Hampshire, and the persistent efforts by the Washingtons to recapture her. The book handles the difficult topic of slavery with sensitivity, focusing on Ona's bravery, resilience, and unwavering desire for liberty. It's an excellent resource for discussing American history, civil rights, and the meaning of freedom with young readers, highlighting a lesser-known but incredibly important figure.

"Soon after American colonists had won independence from Great Britain, Ona Judge was fighting for her own freedom from one of America's most famous founding fathers, George Washington. George and Martha Washington valued Ona as one of their most skilled and trustworthy slaves, but she would risk everything to achieve complete freedom. Born into slavery at Mount Vernon, Ona seized the opportunity to escape when she was brought to live in the President's Mansion in Philadelphia. Ona fled to New Hampshire and started a new life. But the Washingtons wouldn't give up easily. After her escape, Ona became the focus of a years-long manhunt, led by America's first president. Gwendolyn Hooks' vivid and detailed prose captures the danger, uncertainty, and persistence Ona Judge experienced during and after her heroic escape."--Provided by publisher.