Erica Armstrong Dunbar

Ona Judge, sometimes called Oney, grew up as a slave on George Washington's plantation, Mount Vernon. She was Martha Washington's personal handmaid, and traveled with the family to New York and Philadelphia. When she learned that she was to be given as a gift to Eliza Custis, Martha Washington's spoiled granddaughter, she took her freedom. One night, while the Washingtons were at dinner, she walked out of the house and boarded a ship that took her to New Hampshire, where she started a new life. Of course, the Washingtons were outraged, and determined to get Ona back, but despite several efforts, she remained free for the rest of her life.

This is the Young Readers' Edition of Dunbar's similarly-titled adult book. I think it would be very accessible for a middle-school reader with some knowledge of US history. The writing is straightforward, and includes definitions of terms (e.g. abolition, manumission) in the text when the authors deem necessary. The authors do make a choice to speculate on motives and emotions for the historical figures when such things cannot be known, but it's always clear that they are speculating and not stating facts ("Ona might have felt..."). All in all, a good historical book for young readers, though adults may find it over-simplified in spots.… (mere)