Customer Reviews

Wolf by the Ears

5 star:		(48)
4 star:		(19)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Wolf by the Ears, by Ann Rinaldi is a great book for both young and old readers. It sets back in the time right after Thomas Jefferson was President. Now living a Monticello, the man who wrote the Declaration of Independence has his own servants. Harriet Hemmings, one of his servants has lived there all her life. She is called a slave, but that's is not the only thing she has been called. There are rumors going around Monticello, that Harriet and her bothers are Thomas Jefferson's children. On Harriet's twenty-first birthday, she has the choice to leave the only people she's known, for the free world. Harriet realizes that she does get special attention, privileges that other slaves don't normally get, and that she is lighter skinned than other servants, but that doesn't mean that Thomas Jefferson, her master and the former president, is her father... or does it? In this story of freedom and slavery, a girl and her brothers have to choose between the life they are living, with there family and friends, and the life where they could be free, but alone.

I feel that this book is a book everyone should read. It shows that one girls' determination to make a difference in her life, can make a difference in many others. It shows that with determination, someone who was a slave, can become a free person. Rinaldi did a great job at capturing the emotion, and determination of one person, and showing that with help, and a little bit of luck, any thing can happen.

Thomas Jefferson's slave, Harriet Hemmings, believes only what she wishes. She loves the plantation of Monticello and everyone on it. She's only required to do a small amount of work weaving in the morning and serving people at her mother's request. Though Jefferson treats her well, she refuses to believe she is his slave. Ruined by the rumors that she may be his daughter, Jefferson must hide in its shadows. He has now given her the choice, one that will break her heart, whether she should become free or stay as a slave of her master. She doesn't want the freedom that will rip her family apart and leave her race behind to forget. She would have to become white in eyes of others. She would no longer be a slave, or Harriet Hemmings again. Is her love for her master, his blue eyes and gentleness, enough to make her stay? In this book, Ann Rinaldi creatively shows the emotions of her characters and makes them come alive in the eyes of her readers

Narrated in the first person by Harriet, daughter of slave
Sally Hemings of Monticello, this story presents serious historical fiction at the YA level. Meticulously researched by author Rinaldi--who excels in this genre, the book was inspired by a quote from the author of the acclaimed Declaration of Independence. Jefferson himself agonized over the institution of Slavery, describing it as a wolf by the ears, which the country could not handle safely, yet without which the South could not survive economically. At no point in this novel does the Master admit to fathering five children by his devoted slave, Sally. Nor does anyone find even a scrap of paper in his extensive library admitting to anything other than Owner status on his part. So why then does 19-year old Harriet feel in her heart that he is-or might be-her father?

Sally has planned, worked and dreamed for years of her daughter's departure from Monticello-the only world the girl has ever known. Still will not leave as a freed slave, who would not be allowed to remain in Virginia, but rather as a privileged white girl. She needs much preparation to PASS into the white world with safety; of course this means turning her back on her home and family-calling for great sacrifice on the part of both proud mother and brave daughter. This is what some light-skinned slaves have attempted, but it requires constant vigilance against slips of behavior, language and tremendous internal fortitude.

How can naïve Harriet deny her own heritage and ignore the degrading conditions of her fellow slaves who are tortured or humiliated in the white world? How can she endure total separation from her beloved mother, Sally, and her dear
old Mammy Ursula--with her good (and bad) voodoo?

No matter where Harriet will find herself in the white world--even with her dear protector who has promised to help her escape and Pass--she will carry intense memories of Jefferson and Monticello. What is the exact price of Freedom? Alas, she will have the rest of her life to ponder this philosophical dilemma in her secret heart. How can she live a lie, even to
save her virtue and to make a good life for her future children? How can she turn her back on those dearest to her? What is the best way she can serve the cause of her enchained people in Virginia? Will the Master let her depart without one private word of paternity, for her ears alone? This book is very interesting, with serious sociological matters for students to ponder, either individually or as a class during Black History Month. Harriet's story will haunt readeres' understanding of the root of the Civil War.

Told through Harriet Hemings, a slave/servant of Monticello, this story is based on Thomas Jefferson's conflict of slavery by his feelings toward the Hemings and all others living/working at Monticello. Throughout this story, Harriet and her brothers look toward their Master as their father figure with uncertain love, never finding out if he actually is their father. But deep in their hearts they know, or why else would he treat them such respect and kindness, a white man to his slaves?

Promised freedom at 21, Harriet begins to realize that she needs to leave Monticello, instead of her initial reactions to stay there forever. She is prompted by Thomas Jefferson's son-in-law to "pass" into the white world, since years of racial inter-breeding have left her almost entirely white-skinned. But the idea of leaving her beloved Mama (Sally Hemings), Mammy Ursula, and other siblings, like did her eldest brother, brings upon conflicts, and is concluded with some persuasion by all to pass. It is ended with Harriet finally realizing the price and value of freedom.

Having been to Monticello, you can picture everything described by Ann Rinaldi exactly as it is. The only problem I find is that some information seems to be put unnecessarily in the story, just for random facts with no actual point. But, it can be overlooked and they are a nice source of background details that help you know more about that age and day.

I recommend this story to anyone interested in American history and in need of a nice, refreshing story of a woman with strength and courage, to read.

The first time I read this book, I was ten years old and doing a report on Sally Hemmings for my social studies class. I started reading it, and I could not put it aside to look at the other books I had checked out from the library. I simply had to finish it! I fell in love with the character of Harriet Hemmings and had to find out what happened to her. It inspired me to do more research than I needed to for my report. A few years later I spied the book in a store and I remembered how much I enjoyed reading it the first time so I bought it...and loved it all over again. There are very few books that I read in my childhood that I'd still read today, and I'm happy to say that this is definitely one of them. It is so well-written and the story compelling and emjoyable.

Along with Time Enough For Drums, this is one of my favorite Ann Rinaldi books!! I was easily transported to Monticello in 1820-1822, and I felt like I really got to know all of the characters. As I was reading this book, I became Harriet Hemings, and I felt her pain, happiness, sadness, and confusion. The ending is great, although it leaves you hoping for more!! Maybe Ann Rinaldi will write a sequel! I hope so! Anyway, read this book! You won't want to miss it!

The name of my book was Wolf by the Ears by Ann Rinaldi and I gave it four stars. It was about a girl named Harriet who was living as a "servant" in Thomas Jefferson's household. Harriet was one of the children Sally Hemmings had; most believe that her children's father was Mr. Jefferson himself, due to their extremely light skin and the way that they were treated under his authority. This book is Harriet's diary. She writes in it over a period of about two and half years, from the time she is 19 until she turns 21. Harriet has an option of leaving Monticello (the house/plantation) when she turns twenty-one. She doesn't really want to leave, but she can't stay. This book is about her last few years at Monticello and all of her struggles. I gave this book four stars for many reasons. The first reason was because of the way it was written. I think that the author did a really great job of writing this book in a diary form. First, it made the book flow a lot easier. As a reader, I was never left wondering where I was at in the storyline or trying to figure out who was just talking. The author didn't make us jump from character to character. This kind of leads me into my next point. The story was about one girl; it was one girl's diary. I enjoy books that are really only centered around one specific character. With one character, you feel like you can connect to/ understand that character better because you focus on them and their story. My second reason for rating this book four stars was because it was based on real events in history. Personally, I like to read historical fiction because I think that it's sometimes easier for me to visualize and get a feel for the book if I know that its based on something that really happened. Ann Rinaldi is one of my favorite authors and she does a really great job of writing historical fiction books that have a lot of detail and research put into them. This leads me to my next point. My last reason for rating this book why I did comes from the book's storyline. The author did a good job of putting in a variety of emotional struggles/actions and events. This book has a lot of different scenes that deal with an assortment of emotions. The main reason why I didn't give this book five stars was because sometimes I felt like Harriet was whining too much. She complained about her life and her struggles, and it was probably hard, but she complained about the same things over and over. Other than that though, this book was very entertaining. Finally, I just wanted to say that this book could be read by anyone. It's not just for teens or anything like that. That's one of the reasons why I like historical fiction, because any age group can enjoy it. Historical fiction can bring up questions or be informative, both of which this book did in my opinion. The author did a great job on this book, and I think that anyone who has actually read my paper this far needs to go read it so they know what I'm talking about.

This was the best book, really! I cried at the end and couldn't believe how strong the character, Harriet, was. All I know is I could never have done what she did, for it takes incredible strength. This story is very heartfelt and loving, about a young women who decides who she is and what she wants to be. Everyone who loves touching stories filled with emotion, read this book!

Harriet Hemings: a white girl, or is she? In the days of plantations and slave owners, there was a tremendous difference between white individuals, and those with darker skin. The dark-skinned people were thought of as no better than animals. What would happen, however, when it became known that there were children who looked light enough to be white, yet were actually black? "How could this be?" many would ask. The answer is simple: one white parent; one black. This is the story of such a union. Ann Rinaldi has woven an intriguing story around the rumors of Thomas Jefferson and Sally Hemings, a slave of his. When visitors would see Harriet and her also light-toned siblings, their minds would whir, and abolitionist thoughts would enter their minds. As previously mentioned, slaves were thought of as animals.....usually. These visitors would look at the light skin, and looking into the childrens' eyes, they would realize that perhaps black is just another color. Maybe slaves are people, with minds and feelings. This book deals with these ponderings, and the consequences these light-skinned slaves would face upon trying to pass as white; trying to make a place for themselves in the cruel and often unaccepting communities of the free. Wolf by the Ears is an interesting book, as well as being extremely close to actual history. I recommend it to those interested in such events of that time period, and any individual with compassion towards others, and the will to read a good book

This book kept me wanting to read it's one book that was hard to put down. I think that being able to tell about something that not alot of people know about and be able to tell this stroy about Thomas Jefferson.Harriet is 19 years old she is hearing rumors that she is more than just a slave to Thomas Jefferson she could be his daughter. now she has to chose if she wants to run or leave as a free girl in a couple of months. she is can't chose to stay at the place she loves with people that treat her well. Or leave a be a free woman who has a darker skin than your average white lady of the day.