A Voice of Her Own [Candlewick Biographies]: The Story of Phillis Wheatley, Slave Poet | Kathryn Lasky

About A Voice of Her Own (Candlewick Biographies) by Kathryn Lasky

Discover the deeply moving and historically significant life of America's foundational literary icon in A Voice of Her Own: The Story of Phillis Wheatley, Slave Poet. Written by acclaimed author Kathryn Lasky, this masterfully structured biography honors the resilience, intellect, and creative brilliance of the first African American woman poet to ever be published.

Plot Summary & Key Themes

The narrative begins in 1761, when a young girl was kidnapped from her home in West Africa, shipped to America across the Atlantic, and sold to the Wheatley family in Boston. Stripped of her family, her original name, and her language, she was named Phillis after the very slave schooner that carried her. Despite living in captivity in a segregated world, Phillis possessed an undeniable passion to learn, quickly mastering English and Latin literature against all systemic odds.

Set against the dramatic and chaotic backdrop of the American Revolutionary War, Phillis began channeling her experiences and observations into profound verse. Her talent ultimately culminated in a published book of poetry, challenging the racial prejudices of her era and cementing her legacy. Kathryn Lasky beautifully balances the harsh historical facts of the time with the emotional reality of Wheatley’s life, capturing both her triumphs and the profound pain of navigating an oppressive society.

Book Details & Specifications

• Title: A Voice of Her Own: The Story of Phillis Wheatley, Slave Poet
• Author: Kathryn Lasky
• ISBN-13: 9780763660918
• Format: Paperback (Candlewick Biographies Edition)
• Genre: Children's Historical Biography / African American History / Literary History
• Features: Includes Author’s Note, Illustrator’s Note, Source Materials, and Index

Why Read This Book?

• Crucial Historical Education: Serves as an excellent, highly accessible introduction to early African American history, the realities of early America, and the power of literacy.
• Rich Educational Material: Back matter features extensive resources including an author's note, an illustrator's note, primary sources, and a full index—perfect for home libraries, book reports, and classrooms.
• Acclaimed Critical Praise: Highlighted by Booklist for its raw honesty in showcasing both Wheatley's immense literary accomplishments and the realities of the segregated world she inhabited.