Phillis Wheatley was born around 1753 in what is perhaps present-day Senegal. She was enslaved and lived in Boston, Massachusetts with the Wheatley family where she was taught to read and write. Phillis became the first famous black poet in America, although she had to defend herself as the author of her poetry. She was freed in 1773 and supported the American Revolution, exchanging letters with General George Washington. We enjoyed learning about Phillis through the following books and reading her wonderful poetry.
Phillis’s Big Test, link to read for free on archive.org
The focus of this book is on the event in Phillis’s life where she must prove that she is the author of her poetry. The kids and I discussed how insulting this must have been! Phillis still rose to the challenge and defended herself and we can do the same when we face prejudice.
“In 1773, Phillis Wheatley published a book of poetry. It was a great accomplishment that made her very famous. Only a year before, Phillis had had to take a test to prove that she was the actual author of these poems, because Phillis Wheatley was a slave.
Who would believe that an African girl could be the author of such poetry?
Phillis did! She believed in herself, and took every opportunity she could to make her life better. She believed in the power of her words, and her writing to prove her talent, and used the power of words to change a life.” (description from Amazon)
Phillis Sings Out Freedom, link to read for free at archive.org
“In the fall of 1775, General George Washington was struggling to find a way to fight the British so that the colonies could be free from England. Phillis Wheatley, and African American poet who herself had struggled to gain freedom, decided to write Washington a poem of encouragement. Ann Malaspina’s inspiring story shows the life and times of these two brave people who did so much to lay the foundation of our country.” (description from Amazon)
I appreciated that this book provides background on the life of Phillis Wheatley. The book describes how she was sold to slave traders for rum and purchased at the slave auction in Boston. Phillis received an education while enslaved and was later set free in 1773.
Read one of Phillis’s last poems, “Liberty and Peace.” She wrote it to celebrate the end of the Revolutionary War.
A Voice of her Own, link to read for free at archive.org
The book really helped us understand how Phillis must have felt living in a time where slaves had no rights even though she was educated and treated equally in her master’s household. This short chapter book presents many colorful pictures on every page. Written in 9 chapters, this is great for middle elementary and up.
“In 1761, a young girl was sold to the Wheatley family in Boston, who named her Phillis after the slave schooner that had carried her. Kidnapped from her home in Africa and shipped to America, she’d had everything taken from her-her family, her name, and her language. But Phillis had a passion to learn. Amid the tumult of the Revolutionary War, Phillis Wheatley became a poet and ultimately had a book of verse published, establishing herself as the first African- American woman poet this country had ever known.” (description from Amazon)