Wolf by the Ears (Point)

Rating:
Summary: Fascinating and educational book!!
Review: An intriguing novel that takes place from 1819 to 1822, Wolf by the Ears depicts a portion of Harriet Hemings's life on Monticello. Harriet and her brothers are slaves on the residence who have always been treated above average by Thomas Jefferson, leading some to believe that they are his children. As the plot unfolds, Harriet must decide whether or not she will take the freedom that Jefferson promised to her and her siblings when they each turn 21. She finds herself lost between two worlds, and while her family and friends encourage her to take her freedom when the time comes, she is more drawn toward continuing her life at Monticello. Her feelings are altered, however, when a visiting Charles Bankhead tries to "put her in her place" by making advances on her. She realizes that it is not completely safe for her to live as a young black woman at Monticello, and is told by her friend, Thruston, that she and the other slaves would be sold if Jefferson died. But can Harriet actually leave her loving family and the only home she's ever known? Read the book to find out!! Driven by the general concept of loyalty, this absorbing novel successfully interweaves important and accurate historical facts with imaginary individuals and vivid writing. A very appropriate novel for middle schoolers, Wolf by the Ears is a remarkable accomplishment that can be recommended also to readers of all ages.

Rating:
Summary: Time to make a choice...
Review: Harriet Hemings is under pressure to make a hard decision. Harriet is forced to make a difficult decision. She is on a slave plantation run by the great Thomas Jefferson, main writer of the Declaration of Independence. Thomas Jefferson is very kind to his slaves and treats each one with special care. Harriet is no ordinary nigra slave woman. Harriet and her siblings have extremely white skin. Some, like her brother Beverly, think this is because they are the children of their master, Thomas Jefferson. Harriet must make a decision to either pass into the white world or stay a slave at the Monticello plantation. She was already granted freedom becasue her mother, Sally Hemings, talked to the master about it. Hariet receives advice from Mr. Randolph, Thomas Jefferson's son-in-law, about making her decision. She also receives advice from her brother Beverly, who she always looks up to for great advice. In my opinion, there are so many characters to keep track of it is hard to follow the plot, which is separated into diary entries. There are also so many questions left unanswered. Overall, though, the author gives excellent descriptions of characters, the fields, and the house. This is a captivating story.

Rating:
Summary: Could Not Put It Down!
Review: The first time I read this book, I was ten years old and doing a report on Sally Hemmings for my social studies class. I started reading it, and I could not put it aside to look at the other books I had checked out from the library. I simply had to finish it! I fell in love with the character of Harriet Hemmings and had to find out what happened to her. It inspired me to do more research than I needed to for my report. A few years later I spied the book in a store and I remembered how much I enjoyed reading it the first time so I bought it...and loved it all over again. There are very few books that I read in my childhood that I'd still read today, and I'm happy to say that this is definitely one of them. It is so well-written and the story compelling and emjoyable.