Never Caught, the Story of Ona Judge: George and Martha Washington's Courageous Slave Who Dared to Run Away

Written by Erica Armstrong Dunbar and Kathleen Van Cleve

Narrated by Robin Eller

“A brilliant work of US history.” —School Library Journal (starred review)
“Gripping.” —BCCB (starred review)
“Accessible…Necessary.” —Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
A School Library Journal Best Nonfiction Book of 2019!

A National Book Award Finalist for Nonfiction, Never Caught is the eye-opening narrative of Ona Judge, George and Martha Washington’s runaway slave, who risked everything for a better life—now available as a young reader’s edition!

In this incredible narrative, Erica Armstrong Dunbar reveals a fascinating and heartbreaking behind-the-scenes look at the Washingtons when they were the First Family—and an in-depth look at their slave, Ona Judge, who dared to escape from one of the nation’s Founding Fathers.

Born into a life of slavery, Ona Judge eventually grew up to be George and Martha Washington’s “favored” dower slave. When she was told that she was going to be given as a wedding gift to Martha Washington’s granddaughter, Ona made the bold and brave decision to flee to the north, where she would be a fugitive.

From her childhood, to her time with the Washingtons and living in the slave quarters, to her escape to New Hampshire, Erica Armstrong Dunbar, along with Kathleen Van Cleve, shares an intimate glimpse into the life of a little-known, but powerful figure in history, and her brave journey as she fled the most powerful couple in the country.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
• Release date: Jan 8, 2019
• ISBN: 9781508278306

Erica Armstrong Dunbar

Erica Armstrong Dunbar is the Charles and Mary Beard Professor of History at Rutgers University. Her first book, A Fragile Freedom: African American Women and Emancipation in the Antebellum City, was published by Yale University Press in 2008. Her second book, Never Caught: The Washingtons’ Relentless Pursuit of Their Runaway Slave, Ona Judge was a 2017 finalist for the National Book Award in nonfiction and a winner of the 2018 Frederick Douglass Book Award. She is also the author of She Came to Slay, an illustrated tribute to Harriet Tubman, and Susie King Taylor and is the co-executive producer of the HBO series The Gilded Age.

Reviews for Never Caught, the Story of Ona Judge

[julia · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Loved it. It was great. Awesome story telling! Five billion stars!

[sarah whitaker · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

If you listen to this with your children be ready to have a conversation about rape. I really feel like the rape information could have been omitted in a children’s book. Or perhaps a warning that mature content is discussed.

[thea martinez · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is a wonderful production of a timely work. The scholarship has depth and breadth yet is written with such clarity that young audiences will undoubtedly enjoy reading the surprising story of Ona Judge. Bravo to Erica Armstrong and Kathleen Van Cleef.

[Jackie Bethke · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I think it’s a pretty good book and I love the musical HAMILTON and in the book it quotes something from the musical and it’s a good book ??????????