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bookishgrrrl's review against another edition
4.0
Different from the traditional "enslavement" story, RUNAWAY tackles the complex life of a young girl considered to be in a privileged position even though she was enslaved. The refrain of why you run? brings the lyrical narrative together. Backmatter includes a short biography and timeline. Good for older readers.
kibbles15's review against another edition
3.0
This was an interesting poem with gorgeous illustrations about the life of Ona Judge. I think it is a good intro to kids about the side of slavery that a lot of people don't think about. The title is a bit misleading; "daring" implies excitement in the story. It was actually a little bit dull to read. That being said, there are a lot of things brought up that would instigate a good discussion with your children about slavery, so I would still recommend the book to parents.
tea_rex_love's review against another edition
5.0
I’ve finally read my first book about Ona Judge, the enslaved woman who escaped the Washingtons to live out her own life as a free person. The poem doesn’t roll off the tongue, but it goes really well with the illustrations.
“Why you run Ona Judge?
You knew you were more
Than a ten-dollar pet
The lady wanted back.
In an attic, basement, or room no one could see
You waited for the boat
To carry you on the Underground sea
Where your future would not be enslaved
For the rest 0f your days
They called you a runaway, a fugitive
But Liberty rang for you
You dreamed a dream
You would make true
To read, to write
To do what you want, to go where you like
To make sure your children would not be enslaved
Like you
Like your mother
Your grandmother, and her mother, too?
Is that why you ran?
Then run, Ona Judge, run.”
bookishrealm's review against another edition
5.0
This book is a book that I will be purchasing for my daughter. Thank you so much to Farrar, Straus and Giroux for providing me with a copy for review.
Ya'll. I've read a lot of picture books that deal with slave narratives, but this was different. It centers around the story of Ona Judge who was a slave in the Washington household (yes President Washington). She specifically worked for Martha Washington as her seamstress and more. What was so unique about this particular narrative is that the author, Ray Shepard, frames the book in the form of questions. He continuously asks her why she wants to run away when it's clear that she's being provided with so many "fancy things." The point that Shepard makes is that no matter "how good" a slave was treated they were still a slave. There isn't enough good treatment in the world that could possibly change that. Ona realized that she couldn't continue to live her life as "well-treated" slave and made the decision to run away. To be honest, I even enjoyed the fact that Shepard questioned the purpose of the Declaration of Independence. It wasn't created to provide freedom for all considering that White women, Black people, and Native Americans were not included.
The artwork was also stunning. It looked as though it was done with oil paint. Colors were rich and deep. The portrait style of capturing faces really transports the reader into the time in which the author is setting his narrative. Overall, this was an AMAZING picture book. I cannot wait to see what other books this author has to offer.
Ya'll. I've read a lot of picture books that deal with slave narratives, but this was different. It centers around the story of Ona Judge who was a slave in the Washington household (yes President Washington). She specifically worked for Martha Washington as her seamstress and more. What was so unique about this particular narrative is that the author, Ray Shepard, frames the book in the form of questions. He continuously asks her why she wants to run away when it's clear that she's being provided with so many "fancy things." The point that Shepard makes is that no matter "how good" a slave was treated they were still a slave. There isn't enough good treatment in the world that could possibly change that. Ona realized that she couldn't continue to live her life as "well-treated" slave and made the decision to run away. To be honest, I even enjoyed the fact that Shepard questioned the purpose of the Declaration of Independence. It wasn't created to provide freedom for all considering that White women, Black people, and Native Americans were not included.
The artwork was also stunning. It looked as though it was done with oil paint. Colors were rich and deep. The portrait style of capturing faces really transports the reader into the time in which the author is setting his narrative. Overall, this was an AMAZING picture book. I cannot wait to see what other books this author has to offer.
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