“A Voice of Her Own: The Story of Phillis Wheatley, Slave Poet”
by Kathryn Lasky. Illustrated by Paul Lee.
Candlewick Press, Cambridge, Mass., 2003, 48 pages, Grades 3-5.
Within the last year, the United States has been roiled by many issues. Among them, the history of slavery and its many brutal consequences have been discussed and experienced by the country.
However, in this painful story there are many events that have recently come to light. One of these stories is the life of Phillis Wheatley. Kidnapped at the age of 7, Phillis is sold to a wealthy family in Boston. Mrs. Wheatley wants Phillis to be a housemaid in their family home.
In the Wheatley home, the family discovers the amazing talents of the young child. Renowned author Kathryn Lasky writes a powerful biography about the trials of Phillis and her amazing accomplishments. The name of this important book is “A Voice of Her Own: The Story of Phillis Wheatley, Slave Poet.”
The 7-year-old child is kidnapped in Africa in 1761. Surviving the evil Inner Passage to the United States, she is sold to an affluent Boston family, the Wheatleys. Mrs. Wheatley wants Phillis to become a servant in the home. Though the family treats Phillis with kindness, she still endures the painful problems of being a slave. She does not have much control over her life and must suffer silently when white neighbors make derogatory remarks.
Mrs. Wheatley quickly finds out that the child is extremely intelligent and teaches her to read and write. Slaves learning to read were punished in the South, but there was no such limitation in Boston. Phillis learns so quickly that she is soon taught foreign languages and becomes accomplished in Latin and Greek.
While writing, she discovers the beauty of poetry and draws from her painful capture the desire to become free. While she has this discovery, the 12 Colonies begin demanding freedom from the British Crown. Now in her late teens, Miss Wheatley begins composing poems about the need for the colonies to be free from England.
Her work becomes so well known that a publisher in England seriously thinks about publishing a book of her poetry. This is remarkable, as no slave has ever been a published author before. As the Revolution breaks out, the cries for freedom erupt. What part does Phillis Wheatley play in these events?
Does the English publishing house print her book of poetry? Why does the revolutionary radical Samuel Paine want to print her poems extolling freedom?
Does Phillis Wheatley ever get freed from slavery? How does she show great courage in the face of such crushing opposition? To find out, go to the library and check out this remarkable biography by one of American’s great writers, “A Voice of Her Own: The Story Phillis Wheatley, Slave Poet.”
Kathryn Lasky has written numerous wonderful stories throughout her literary career. This biography is particularly moving because of the tremendous obstacles overcome by this remarkable woman. Phillis Wheatley drew upon the pain and joy in her life to create the first book ever published by an African American in the United States. Throughout her writing, we see the power of freedom and the need to demand it in our country and in our lives. I hope you get a chance to read this inspiring story. It moved me and I am sure it will move you. Highly recommended.
