About This Book
Reach for this book when your teenager is grappling with the complexities of identity, the weight of family secrets, or the struggle of belonging to two different worlds. Set against the historical backdrop of Monticello, the story explores the internal life of Harriet Hemings, who lives in the shadow of a father she cannot publicly acknowledge. It is a profound meditation on the cost of freedom and the pain of leaving everything you know to claim a future for yourself. This novel is ideal for older middle schoolers and high schoolers who are ready to engage with the moral ambiguities of American history. It tackles themes of racial identity and the psychological toll of slavery with a realistic, nuanced approach. Parents will appreciate how it encourages critical thinking about justice, heritage, and the courage required to make impossible choices. It serves as an excellent bridge for discussing how the past shapes our personal sense of self.
