Phillis Wheatley

No one could have imagined that the frail, enslaved, seven-year-old girl who arrived in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1761 would become the first published African American, achieving fame for her poetry in both America and England. After arriving, Phillis quickly learned to read the Bible and other classic literature, publishing her first poem in 1767 when she was thirteen and a book of poetry in 1773. Her poetry encouraged freedom for all people, and she proved to a doubting generation that intelligence and creativity are not limited to a particular ethnicity. Through Phillis’s story, young readers will learn the importance of trusting God’s plan while standing up for justice and the good of other human beings. Contents Introduction Chapter 1 – Kidnapped Chapter 2 – A Gifted Girl Chapter 3 – International Fame Chapter 4 – The Cost of Freedom Chapter 5 – Through the War Chapter 6 – Making Ends Meet Chapter 7 - Legacy