Dear Educators, The thoughtful, sensitive discussion of how Americans define race makes JEFFERSONS CHILDREN not only

a compulsively readable book but also an invaluable catalyst for discussion. Adults and children who read it will find themselves thinking about race, history, and family in a new way.
- Pittsburgh Post Gazette

It is a fascinating story and the authors are remarkably courageous and magnanimous. The world is a slightly better place for it all. - Archbishop Desmond Tutu
This is a wonderful book that helps to humanize our sometimes opaque third president. When the fuss subsides, all of us will realize how fortunate we are to share this complicated legacy. - Ken Burns

What could elicit such positive responses from world leaders such as South African Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Civil Rights Activist / Chairman of the Board of the NAACP Julian Bond, Morris Dees (founder of the Southern Poverty Law Center and the teaching tolerance program nationwide), Ken Burns (documentary filmmaker), and many more? JEFFERSONS CHILDREN THE STORY OF ONE AMERICAN FAMILY (Random House, 2nd edition) by co-authors Jane Feldman and Shannon Lanier, is used in course curricula in many junior high schools, high schools, and colleges around the country. Even the Prestigious Columbia University and Rutgers University use the book in Race and the Law courses. Of course, one would expect Jeffersons Children to be taught as part of American history, because it is about our third president, Thomas Jefferson. This founding father, responsible for the U.S. Constitution, and whose writings and legacy have inspired generations, also has a rainbow family, that prior history books never taught us about, and it is a family that mirrors countless American families. The story of this family and the journey of its authors, have led this book into classes on Genealogy, English and even Science classes who use the DNA aspect to explore how new technology has solved historical questions. Jane and Shannon have spoken to many schools and organizations about their work. They have shared a program on First Amendment Rights with Maya Angelou and have been keynote speakers to the American Library Association, A conference of 3000 Barnes and Noble Superstore Managers, and more. Together they have taught special interactive workshops on Oral History, Multiculturalism and encourage participants of all ages to tell their own stories.

They are available to speak to your school or organization, tailoring subject matter to the specific need of your group..