Welcome to Windows & Mirrors, where we feature books that provide us windows to lives outside our own and mirrors to our shared common human experiences. This week we are featuring ONA JUDGE OUTWITS THE WASHINGTONS by Gwendolyn Hooks and illustrated by Simone Agoussoye.
The title is a great description of this new fascinating picture book biography. Ona was an enslaved girl who lived with her family at Mount Vernon. She worked for the Washingtons and became a great seamstress like her mother. Martha Washington was so impressed by Ona’s work that she took her with them to live in the presidential mansion when George Washington was elected. Even though Ona lived much better than the slaves at Mount Vernon, seeing free black people in Philadelphia made her long to be a free person also. When the Washingtons’ granddaughter announced her upcoming marriage, Martha planned to give Ona to her as a wedding present. Ona knew that the window of opportunity for her to live as a free person might be closing. She hatched a dangerous plan and outwitted the President of the United States to achieve her dream of being free.
Knowing the truth about slavery and practices of prominent estate owners prior to the Civil War is crucial to our understanding of the foundation of our country and in determining what we stand for. Stories by POC (Indigenous and black people) whose descendants were enslaved are critical to uncovering the truths of these experiences.
ONA JUDGE OUTWITS THE WASHINGTONS is appropriate for any child who is mature enough to understand and emotionally process enslavement. This book is a great conversation starter and is highly recommended for classroom and family discussion for ages 9+. It releases on 10/1/19. Ask for it at your local bookstore or request it for your public library!
Thank you to Capstone Editions and Netgalley for providing me with a review copy.
From Gwendolyn’s website:
Gwendolyn Hooks is the author of (over) 20 books for children. She writes both fiction and nonfiction to encourage children to explore their world. Readers will find pets, friendship, and family sprinkled throughout Gwendolyn’s stories because that’s what inspires her.
Wow! What a story! Your description of that window of opportunity closing on Ona makes me want to read it.
Very interesting.
I’m curious though: Looking at other online sources, most say that Ona was to be a present to a granddaughter rather than a daughter. Is there a typo in the article or did the resources I found have it wrong?
Yes, you are right. Thanks so much for pointing out the error, Dave! The post has been updated.