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65 pages 2 hours read

Erica Armstrong Dunbar

Never Caught: The Washingtons’ Relentless Pursuit of Their Runaway Slave

Nonfiction | Biography | Adult | Published in 2017

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

In Never Caught by Erica Armstrong Dunbar, the narrative follows Ona Judge, an enslaved woman, moving from life at Mount Vernon to eventual self-liberation in New Hampshire. Under George and Martha Washington, Judge grapples with intense challenges and ultimately escapes, navigating life as a fugitive while under constant threat of recapture. The story includes themes of enslavement and the struggles for freedom in early America.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

Erica Armstrong Dunbar’s Never Caught offers a compelling, meticulously researched narrative of Ona Judge’s escape from George Washington’s household. Reviewers praise its vivid storytelling and historical significance. Some note a slower pace in certain sections, but overall, it’s lauded for shedding light on a crucial part of American history often overlooked.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Never Caught?

Readers who enjoy books like The Hemingses of Monticello by Annette Gordon-Reed or Barracoon by Zora Neale Hurston will be captivated by Never Caught. The compelling narrative of Ona Judge's escape from George Washington's servitude appeals to those interested in American history, slavery, and courageous acts of resistance.

Book Details
Pages

272

Format

Biography • Nonfiction

Setting

United States • 18th Century

Publication Year

2017

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

14-18 years

Lexile Level

1090L

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