My Name is Phillis Wheatley by Afua Cooper

My Name Is Phillis Wheatley: A Story of Slavery and Freedom by Afua Cooper

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Told in the voice of Phillis Wheatley, this story retells her life as she was captured at 8 years old in her homeland and brought to Boston to be a slave in the late 1700's. She is bought by the Wheatley family who educates her and realizes she is brilliant. She writes poetry and becomes famous at only 13 years of age.



This is a good one to add to the American Revolutionary biography unit. Phillis recounts meetings with both Thomas Jefferson and George Washington as well as life during that time period.



View all my reviews

In My Hands by Irene Gut Opdyke

In My Hands: Memories of a Holocaust Rescuer by Irene Opdyke
My rating: 5 of 5 stars


An amazing memoir of a young Polish girl living 7 years in WWII Poland. She is a young Catholic girl who finds herself taking small steps in helping Jews survive the horrors of Poland and Germany during the war.

This is for mature students since there is mention of the soldiers beating and raping Irene. However it is not told with any detail. She does make some moral decisions. A story of courage and strength.

I read it in two days. It is difficult to put down. Wonderful Read!

View all my reviews