41 pages • 1 hour read
Erica Armstrong DunbarNever Caught, the Story of Ona Judge: George and Martha Washington's Courageous Slave Who Dared to Run Away; Young Readers Edition
Nonfiction | Biography | Middle Grade | Published in 2019A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
Never Caught: The Story of Ona Judge by Erica Armstrong Dunbar and Kathleen Van Cleve recounts the true story of Ona Judge, an enslaved Black woman who escaped George and Martha Washington's servitude in 1796 and fled to New Hampshire, where she lived free despite multiple attempts by the Washingtons to recapture her. The book explores the struggles of Black enslaved people as the abolition movement begins dividing the new nation. References to slavery, racism, and physical violence are included.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Erica Armstrong Dunbar's Never Caught, the Story of Ona Judge is lauded for its compelling exploration of Ona Judge's escape from George Washington's household. The biography is praised for its meticulous research and engaging narrative. However, some reviewers feel it occasionally lacks depth in contextual historical analysis. Overall, it is an insightful and powerful read.
Who Should Read Never Caught, the Story of Ona Judge?
Readers who gravitate toward historical biographies with a focus on untold narratives, particularly involving marginalized figures in America's past, will find Never Caught, the Story of Ona Judge compelling. Fans of The Hemingses of Monticello by Annette Gordon-Reed and Hidden Figures by Margot Lee Shetterly will appreciate its detailed examination of Ona Judge's life and her courageous escape from enslavement under George Washington.
RecommendedReading Age
9-12yearsLexile Level
1090L