Never Caught, The Story of Ona Judge by Erica Armstrong Dunbar and Kathleen Van Cleve (Aladdin Books) won the $10,000 New-York Historical Society Children's History Book Prize, given annually to "the best American history book for middle readers ages 9-12, fiction or nonfiction." A special online ceremony to celebrate the authors will take place at a future date.
Dr. Louise Mirrer, the organization's president and CEO, said: "Ona Judge's story is one of resourcefulness and determination but one that many people don't know. The book also shows young readers a side of George and Martha Washington that isn't often seen, but which is equally important for children to understand so that they're able to humanize our Founding Fathers."
Dunbar commented: "Two hundred and twenty four years ago, a young Ona Judge made the courageous decision to challenge the president of the United States and seek freedom and humanity,” said Erica Armstrong I can think of no better time for Never Caught to be recognized as important history for young readers. It is an honor to receive this award, and I accept this on behalf of Ona Judge and all of our present-day freedom seekers."
Van Cleve added: "While co-writing Never Caught with Erica has been the highlight of my writing career, the true value of winning an award like the Children's History Book Prize is the awareness that Ona's life, set amid a bigger, broader consideration of American history, will become known to countless more people. I could not be happier or more honored."