"Wolf by the Ears" is a historical fiction novel by Ann Rinaldi, published in 1991. The novel is set in the early 19th century and explores the lives of enslaved people at Monticello, the plantation home of Thomas Jefferson, third President of the United States.
The story is told from the perspective of Harriet Hemings, the mixed-race daughter of Jefferson and his slave Sally Hemings. Harriet is 16 years old and is serving as a lady's maid to Jefferson's granddaughter, Virginia. Harriet is struggling with her identity as a mixed-race person and her complicated relationship with her father.
As the novel unfolds, Harriet becomes increasingly aware of the injustice and cruelty of the system of slavery, and begins to question her place in it. She forms a friendship with a young slave named Peter and becomes involved in a plot to escape from Monticello.
Rinaldi's writing is powerful and emotional, conveying a sense of the horror and oppression of slavery, as well as the resilience and courage of those who fought against it. The novel is a thought-provoking exploration of race, identity, and morality, and a must-read for anyone interested in American history and the legacy of slavery.
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