My Name is Phillis Wheatley: A Story of Slavery and Freedom

Kids Can Press (2009)

This is the remarkable story of Phillis Wheatley, who is born into an African family of griots, or storytellers, but captured by slave raiders and forced aboard a slave ship, where appalling conditions spell death for many of her companions. Numerous sharks follow the ship, feeding on the corpses of slaves thrown overboard. 

Weakened by the voyage and near death in a Boston slave market, Wheatley is bought by a kind family who nurses her back to health and teaches her to read and write. Soon her mistress recognizes that the girl is a quick learner and talented. 

This amazing story, wide in scope, is based on fact and told convincingly from young Wheatley's point of view. 

Purchase

Destinations related to this book

Travel Instructions


 Remember my address for next time