65 pages • 2 hours read
Erica Armstrong DunbarNever Caught: The Washingtons’ Relentless Pursuit of Their Runaway Slave
Nonfiction | Biography | Adult | Published in 2017A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
In Never Caught by Erica Armstrong Dunbar, the narrative follows Ona Judge, an enslaved woman, moving from life at Mount Vernon to eventual self-liberation in New Hampshire. Under George and Martha Washington, Judge grapples with intense challenges and ultimately escapes, navigating life as a fugitive while under constant threat of recapture. The story includes themes of enslavement and the struggles for freedom in early America.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Erica Armstrong Dunbar’s Never Caught offers a compelling, meticulously researched narrative of Ona Judge’s escape from George Washington’s household. Reviewers praise its vivid storytelling and historical significance. Some note a slower pace in certain sections, but overall, it’s lauded for shedding light on a crucial part of American history often overlooked.
Who Should Read Never Caught?
Readers who enjoy books like The Hemingses of Monticello by Annette Gordon-Reed or Barracoon by Zora Neale Hurston will be captivated by Never Caught. The compelling narrative of Ona Judge's escape from George Washington's servitude appeals to those interested in American history, slavery, and courageous acts of resistance.
RecommendedReading Age
14-18yearsLexile Level
1090L