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duke_and_turk's review against another edition
5.0
Wow!
This book was fantastic! I oftentimes don't enjoy illustrated biographies. They're usually just an easy to digest checklist of someone's life. But Winter really brought James Madison Hemings alive with a strong voice standing out distinct and assertive in his observations of his childhood. I had chills by the end. Such a unique perspective on slavery and our founding fathers. What's tragic is that this, of course, would've been a common occurrence and so even if this book stands out in kids lit, it's only one of countless stories of sons and daughters who were also property.
This book was fantastic! I oftentimes don't enjoy illustrated biographies. They're usually just an easy to digest checklist of someone's life. But Winter really brought James Madison Hemings alive with a strong voice standing out distinct and assertive in his observations of his childhood. I had chills by the end. Such a unique perspective on slavery and our founding fathers. What's tragic is that this, of course, would've been a common occurrence and so even if this book stands out in kids lit, it's only one of countless stories of sons and daughters who were also property.
matthewabush's review against another edition
5.0
I am trying to expose my children to weighty topics - such as race. I appreciated this story and the topic it covered. Highly recommended.
muddypuddle's review against another edition
5.0
Here is a picture book for older readers (we need more of them!) that doesn't tiptoe around the truth. Yippee, Jonah Winters! Beautifully told from the point-of-view of James Madison Hemings as a child, he tells how he feels to be "owned" by his father, treated a bit better than the other slaves at Monticello, but nowhere near like Jefferson treated his white grandchildren. Terry Widener's illustrations are right-on, perfect for the text. Usually Jonah Winter's mother, Jeanette, does his illustrations, but as much as I LOVE her work, I really like the way this book is presented as a whole. It was a brave topic to be tackled for a children's picture book and Jonah Winter did an admirable job.
bethnellvaccaro's review against another edition
4.0
I am always on the search for picture books and other books for young people that try to address the complexity and contradictions of American history. This book is a good conversation starter.
nerfherder86's review against another edition
4.0
Beautiful picture book that is a fictionalized biography of James Madison Hemings, born both a slave and the son of his owner, Thomas Jefferson (and his slave Sally Hemings). The author shows what life may have been like for young James and his siblings, living in the shadow of their master and knowing he was also their father but that they must never acknowledge that fact. The author based the book on an 1873 newspaper interview with James in which he summarized his life and revealed his parentage--the only one of the Hemings children to do so. So the book really is historical fiction, because the author had to make educated guesses on things like who taught James how to read or did he play the violin like Jefferson did. The acrylic paintings illustrating the book are gorgeous, and the author's note explains the contradictions in Jefferson's life as well as the process of writing the book. I found it a compelling read and an important topic handled sensitively for a children's book.
agudenburr's review against another edition
4.0
Gives a first hand experience of slavery in America. Better for older children.
antlersantlers's review against another edition
Really powerful long picture book about reckoning with history. I'm actually going to try and booktalk this to a group of 3rd and 4th graders today...
jennybeastie's review against another edition
4.0
I'm a fan of Winter's books, and I like that this one fleshes out Thomas Jefferson's inconsistencies with regards to slavery. It also places in stark relief the terrible position of being a slave and a child of the Master of the house. Father and owner is a pretty awful thing to think about.
libscote's review against another edition
4.0
This is the story of James Madison Hemings, son of Sally Hemings and Thomas Jefferson. It's a quiet reflection on his life and his father. He acknowledges that his father did many great things, but he also owned enslaved people and did not free them upon his death (other than the children of Sally Hemings, but not Hemings herself). I think this is a fitting way to introduce complication into the Jefferson narrative for young and old.