Wolf by the Ears

This is another historical book by Ann Rinaldi. In this case, it deals with a girl named Harriet Hemings who's mother is black. Her father, though, seems to have been Thomas Jefferson. Harriet is brought up in the best manner possible with a decent education. She lives in the main house and not with the slaves. She also happens to be very light-skinned.

She has various things she has to figure out. Is Thomas Jefferson really her father? (She adores him, actually). When she gets to be 21, will she get her freedom and choose to leave the house she's always known? If she does, will she go as a freed black slave, or will she try to pass for white?

By the end of the book Jefferson is in his declining years. It's obvious that he has a major problem with the issue of slavery, and realizes it poses a threat to the future of the entire country. He treats his slaves very well, but they are still slaves, not free people. He does care very deeply for Harriet, but never admits he is her father.

So the book deals with the issue of slavery, and the issue of a young woman trying to figure out just what her place in society is going to be. It's another well-done book.

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