In honor of Juneteenth Day, come meet acclaimed children's author and historian, Ray Anthony Shepard. Mr. Shepard will read from his newest book, Runaway - The Daring Escape of Ona Judge, a picture book biography of Ona Judge, a young enslaved woman who escaped the family of George Washington. The book is written in verse, and focuses on Ona’s decision, and the risks she faced escaping enslavement to the unknown life as a fugitive in New Hampshire. 

Kirkus Reviews gave the book a starred review, stating “With a distinctive, haunting voice, powerful images, and thought-provoking story structure, this unique look at a remarkable young woman’s life choices and decisions offers an utterly necessary but seldom highlighted perspective on the contradictions within our society’s foundations.” 

Ray Anthony Shepard is a grandson of a slave, a former history teacher, and retired editor- in-chief of a major education publishing company. In addition to Runaway: The Daring Escape of Ona Judge, he is also the author of Now or Never!: Fifty-Fourth Massachusetts Infantry's War to End Slavery.

This event is generously sponsored by The Friends of the Concord Free Public Library.