Kimberly Brubaker Bradley tells the personal side of Thomas Jefferson's later years through the eyes of three of his slaves, Beverly, Madison, and Peter (a boy close to the Heming family). Beverly and Madison are sons of Sally Heming and Thomas Jefferson (generally accepted by historians). Sally is very demanding that her children keep the identify of their father a secret. Bradley gives an historically accurate account of slaves lives intertwined with the story of the Jefferson's life after his presidency. Heming's children are given some better treatment (better work, even violin lessons) but they still were slaves, expected to work on the estate. Jefferson did free two of Sally's brothers but none after that. Heming's children were freed: two allowed to walk away and two in his will. Bradley paints the evils of slavery with great sensitivity yet children will get it.
2012 Notable Children's Recordings
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