Content levels
Trigger warnings
Hero archetypes
Heroine archetypes
Protagonist archetypes
Tropes
Themes
Synopsis
The New York Times and USA Today Bestseller In a compelling, richly researched novel that draws from thousands of letters and original sources, bestselling authors Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie tell the fascinating, untold story of Thomas Jefferson's eldest daughter, Martha "Patsy" Jefferson Randolph--a woman who kept the secrets of our most enigmatic founding father and shaped an American legacy. From her earliest days, Patsy Jefferson knows that though her father loves his family dearly, his devotion to his country runs deeper still. As Thomas Jefferson's oldest daughter, she becomes his helpmate, protector, and constant companion in the wake of her mother's death, traveling with him when he becomes American minister to France. It is in Paris, at the glittering court and among the first tumultuous days of revolution, that fifteen-year-old Patsy learns about her father's troubling liaison with Sally Hemings, a slave girl her own age. Meanwhile, Patsy has fallen in love--with her father's protégé William Short, a staunch abolitionist and ambitious diplomat. Torn between love, principles, and the bonds of family, Patsy questions whether she can choose a life as William's wife and still be a devoted daughter. Her choice will follow her in the years to come, to Virginia farmland, Monticello, and even the White House. And as scandal, tragedy, and poverty threaten her family, Patsy must decide how much she will sacrifice to protect her father's reputation, in the process defining not just his political legacy, but that of the nation he founded.
Tags
Is America's First Daughter: A Novel appropriate for my child?
Suitable for most readers 16 and up.
This historical novel explores complex adult themes including slavery, political scandal, and moral dilemmas in early American history. Contains no graphic content but deals with mature historical realities including Jefferson's liaison with Sally Hemings.
What to know going in
This book has mild violence, mild sexual content, and clean language. Content notes include slavery, death of parent, and power imbalance (see the full list above).
Who'll love this
Teens interested in American history will appreciate the intimate look at Thomas Jefferson's family life and the moral complexities of the founding era through his daughter's eyes.