Publication Date: July 2003
Blurb:
Sarah Henry, wife of the famous statesman Patrick Henry, is losing her mind, and she’s secretly being kept in the cellar because she is a danger to herself and her children. Daughter Anne has a secret, too. She knows which child will inherit Sarah’s madness, and she’ll pay any price to protect her siblings from this information. With insight and compassion, Ann Rinaldi explores the possibility that Patrick Henry’s immortal cry of “Give me liberty, or give me death,” which roused a nation to arms, was first spoken by his wife, Sarah, as she pleaded to be released from her confinement.
What To Expect:
Readers can expect YA historical fiction focused on two teen daughters of Patrick Henry, who struggle to grow up properly and care for younger siblings while their father is often away and their mother is mentally unstable. This is based on real events and real people, but written in a fictional way.
Content Warnings:
Language: None
Sexual Content: Closed Door
Violence: Moderate – A mentally unstable woman is locked away. A baby is almost drowned by its unstable mother. A slave runs away from a cruel owner and describes harsh mistreatment. A slave is killed off-page and their horrible death lightly described
Substance Use: Mild
Prejudices: Slavery and racism
Religious Themes: Characters believe they have “second sight,” some talk of ghosts
Other Topics: Mental illness, child abuse and neglect
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