A Voice of Her Own: The Story of Phillis Wheatley, Slave Poet Book

Inspiring girl & woman, skillfully put together book, authentic seeming illustrations and story. But for me, this true tale's facts are crazy making. The author obviously abhors slavery and makes that clear. But while "Phyllis" was eventually given manumission papers, freeing her from slavery, I found it disturbing how the relationship between slave and "mistress" seemed glorified a bit: she loved her like a daughter, taught her to read and write, and "Phyllis" came back to care for her when she was dying and would not leave her former "owner's" home. My head was spinning as I was reading this book.

Poetry segments by "Phyllis" are included, a nice touch. The illustrations were well researched. The pictures and account are heartrending and fascinating. It's an excellent book.

But, given that for all the "love" she had, the fact that she wasn't freed as a servant slave much, much earlier should (I think) have been stressed even more than it was.

"Phyllis" was an amazing person, very bright and talented, but definitely a product of her time and place. And, I was inspired but horrified even more so. Perhaps that was part of the point? The situation was so horrendous and the name "Phyllis Wheatley" drives me up the wall, given why her name was as it was.

The account is very well written, and it's text heavy and definitely written for older children, especially if they're reading the book themselves. Excellent author's and illustrator's notes.

What most interested me about this story was how this slave woman knew and met so many people influential in the American revolution and others of that era. Fascinating!