Jefferson's Sons

By: Kimberly Brubaker Bradley

Narrated by: Adenrele Ojo

What does it mean when the man who wrote the Declaration of Independence is your father and also your slave master? Beverly, Harriet, Madison, and Eston are Thomas Jefferson’s children, but their mother is a slave, so they must keep their father’s identity secret. They get special treatment - better work, better shoes, even violin lessons - but they are still slaves. Their father has promised to set them all free when each turns 21. Some of them are light-skinned enough that they will be able to enter white society - and thereby turn their backs on home forever. Others won’t have that option. So just what did their father mean when he wrote all men are created equal?

Told in three parts from the points of view of three of Jefferson’s slaves - Beverly, Madison, and a third boy close to the Hemings family - these engaging and poignant voices shed light on what life was like as one of Thomas Jefferson’s invisible offspring.

©2011 Kimberly Bradley (P)2011 Listening Library

Critic reviews

“A big, serious work of historical investigation and imagination; the tale has never before been told this well.” (Kirkus, starred review)

“Bradley’s fine characterization and cinematic prose breathe life into this tragic story.” (School Library Journal, starred review)

“Bradley’s sensitive and richly imagined vision pays respect to those who struggled for lives of stability and dignity, even as the whims and fortunes of the Jeffersons shifted beneath them.” (Bulletin of the Center for Childrens Books, starred review)

Great Story

I enjoyed stepping back in time and getting to know the characters. I was enamered.

Well done!

I loved everything about this book. Though it is in 3rd person, the switches in character perspectives invest the reader into the lives of various characters and their families. The historical facts are well researched and seamlessly weaved into and drive the fictional aspects of this book. Definitely worth everyone’s time.

Well done book

I loved the story! I love history and this has a lot of history! Anybody who likes history would love it!

Incredible historical fiction

History and narrative are beautifully crafted together in this title- a perfect marriage of fact and fiction. Highly recommend.

A good read

I thought this book was a good read/listen. The orator did a great job. The story unfolded nicely. I would recommend this book to someone interested in historic fiction.

Fantastic

I laughed, I cried. Do yourself a favor and buy this book. I have never before read a book from the perspective of a child slave. It was both enlightening and heartbreaking to listen.

wonderfully written and performed

This was a wonderfully written account of Thomas Jefferson's children by Sally Hemming. The narrator was engaging. While not history in the academic sense that would require sources for quotes and conversation it provides readers a plausible--often likely--account of Jefferson's sons and daughters. Definitely recommended.

Fantastic Book!

What did you love best about Jefferson's Sons?

This is a story as true as the author could have possibly written. It took me back to a time and place so different from all I have ever known. I learned a lot from this book. A great story. My kids ages 13 and 6 really enjoyed this book as well.

Adenrele Ojo did a great job narrating this book.

Which character – as performed by Adenrele Ojo – was your favorite?

Mama

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes.

A complex story beautifully explained.

We listened to Jefferson's Sons as a family. Our son is 10 years old. We loved it! Great for long trips or family time. As a librarian, I recommend that anyone under 12 years old listen to it with an adult.

It is a "must" read!

A must read!

A must read for the young and old with excellent narration. It was trully captivating.