Christmas at Monticello with Thomas Jefferson

"Christmas at Monticello with Thomas Jefferson" by Helen Topping Miller is a portrait of Thomas Jefferson during his later years, especially around Christmastime at his beloved Monticello home. The story examines Jefferson's feelings about family, what he left behind as his legacy, and the pull between his important job in the government and his private life. The narrative explores Jefferson's memories as he changes from being a well-known public person to a regular citizen living at Monticello. The book paints a picture of old memories mixing with thinking deeply, showing Jefferson spending time with his family and friends during the holidays; as he gets ready for Christmas, Jefferson thinks about what he's done in the past, his love of learning, and what he wishes will happen in the future, emphasizing the happiness of family get-togethers set against a backdrop of historical struggles and revealing Jefferson as a thoughtful person looking for comfort and a sense of belonging near the end of his life.