Richard James Emmel

Phillis Richard James Emmel

Phillis is about an early American black woman who had significant talent but was unappreciated and struggled mightily for the opportunity to use her gifts. The book is a novel, but the author used historical facts gleaned from reliable resources to build the story. Phillis was one of our most intelligent American poets and the first black person to publish a book. Following a demanding slave schedule, she used her few free minutes to read and learn despite being bone-tired at the end of the day. She could read the great writers, Greek, Latin, and English by age 14. She was bought at age seven and immediately went to work as a nursemaid and house servant. Her owners gave her access to their library, a rare privilege for a slave. The book is enjoyable and educates as well.