Or Give Me Death — Ann Rinaldi

A surprising Revolutionary War tale of a family beset by a mother's mental illness: “Often gripping…the portrayal of Patrick Henry is unusually complex.” -- Publishers Weekly
 
Patrick Henry, the famous statesman of the American Revolution, has a secret: He keeps his wife in the cellar. It's the only alternative to an asylum, for, slowly losing her mind, Sarah Henry has become a serious danger to herself and her children.
 
Narrated by the Henrys' two daughters, Patsy and Anne, who must take on new responsibilities, this compassionate novel explores the possibility that Patrick Henry's immortal cry of “Give me liberty or give me death” may have first been spoken by his wife as she pled for her freedom -- and “delivers another intriguing spin on history” from the popular author of young adult fiction (Kirkus Reviews).
 
Includes a reader's guide