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TJEdRefers generally to the concepts presented in the book A Thomas Jefferson Education, written by Dr. Oliver DeMille. We also have an Introduction to Thomas Jefferson Education available elsewhere on this site..org Administrator
Re: Uncle Tom's Cabin
It might be possible with some self-editing, or just sharing excerpts. There are some intense situations. I would say 11 and up depending on the children. It always works best if you can read it through once yourself and decide what could be shared by all or who to share it with. Five is pretty young to deal with any of this. You could also add books written for kids and check them against a standard of quality and appropriateness - Amos Fortune Freeman, The Cay, Slave Dancer, biographies - Sojourner Truth, Harriet Tubman, Booker T. Washington etc.
Uncle Tom's Cabin ends on a sad note and young children need to believe in happy endings. For a mature audience that believes in a life after this the ending isn't totally sad and there is triumph in it, so it would need to be well discussed to get that across. It could be a very effective teaching opportunity, or just a really challenging one - you have to decide for your family if it is the right thing right now for all of them or just some of them. George and Eliza's story is a happier one, so there is more than one outcome.
Re: Uncle Tom's Cabin
I have to agree this isn't a book for the young ones. Mine are 10 and under and I didn't read this to any of them. I did however share a few moments from the book that really inspired me. There is a great book about William Wilberforce for a young audience (www.sonlight-curriculum.com) I can highly recommend (love of learning phase). That would tie in nicely to Amazing Grace. Roll of Thunder Hear My Cry takes place after the reconstruction, but before desegregation. It is a good one to take on the issues of inequality. It also gives a bit of insight into the African American community's view of Uncle Tom. And a very light hearted but wonderfully fun book that touches just a bit on slavery is The Great Turkey Walk. Enjoy your reading!