Nonfiction Monday: Phillis Wheatley

 Two of the CYBILS NFPB nominees were about the incredible stories of two important   figures in American history who were slaves.  I reviewed Dave the Potter earlier this year HERE.  Today here’s the other book about the amazing American poet, Phillis Wheatley.

 Phillis Sings Out Freedom: The Story of George Washington and Phillis Wheatley by Ann Malaspina tells a little know story about Phillis Wheatley’s involvement with the Revolutionary War. 

 Readers will learn that Phillis arrived on a slave ship in Boston where she was immediately sold into slavery years before the war. Luck was on Phillis’ side as she was purchased by the Wheatley family.  Susanna Wheatley grew to love Phillis and took here under her wing.  Phillis learned to read in English and Latin and soon began writing poetry.

 Fast forward to 1775, it’s the beginning of the Revolutionary War and Washington’s army was made of a rag-tag collection of men young and old.  He wasn’t sure how the war would turn out. 

 Phillis Wheatley fled Boston when King George III’s men marched into the town.  While appreciative of British friends who helped her become a published poet, her heart was with the colonists and freedom.  Wheatley penned a poem and sent it to George Washington.   A poem of encouragement, one in which Phillis Wheatley was invited to meet George Washington.

  Susan Keeter’s oil paintings compliment the text.  There is an author’s note and bibliography in the back.

 This is a book that will add to the ever-growing list of books about the American Revolution.  It’s a story not widely know and demonstrates the American spirit.

Nonfiction Monday is being held at Wild About Nature.  There’s a lot entered today.

Happy Monday.

Happy Reading

MsMac