About This Book
Reach for this book when your child starts asking difficult questions about the contradictions in American history or when they are struggling to understand how people find agency in unfair systems. It provides a nuanced entry point for discussing the reality of slavery through the eyes of Virginia, a young girl serving in the Madison White House. While the backdrop is the dramatic burning of Washington during the War of 1812, the heart of the story is Virginia's internal journey toward self-worth and her secret efforts to help others find freedom. This historical novel is ideal for children ages 8 to 12 who are ready to move beyond simplified history. It balances the high-stakes tension of an invading army with the profound emotional weight of Virginia's search for her own family and identity. Parents will appreciate how it humanizes the enslaved experience without being gratuitous, focusing instead on resilience, bravery, and the complex meaning of liberty in a country at war.
