Middle School Entry

Grades 6-8 Letter to a Contemporary of PWP: 

​Description: Students compose letters reflecting knowledge of a key actor/supporter in PWP’s life.

Required Content Elements: Students research a central actor or supporter in PWP’s community. Students reflect on the impact of this central actor or supporter and relay in a letter (2-page maximum) their reactions and responses.  Students include 2 weblinks that indicate the sources used to learn about PWP and her life (e.g., link to book cover, webarticle, video, etc).

Available Formats: Flipsnack or Google Slides

Download Flyer: grades_6_to_8._sept_29_deadline.pdf
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Sample letter
By Addison Franklin (Age 11)
Reflection by Addison and Kelly Franklin (TCU doctoral student)
To Learn More About Wheatley to Prepare Your Entry, Check Out These Resources
Revolutionary Poet: A Story About Phillis Wheatley by Maryann N. Weidt
Overview by Kelly Franklin

Author Maryann N. Weidt tells the story of Phillis Wheatley against the backdrop of important American historical events. This historical approach allows Weidt to weave in Wheatley’s keen perspective as a young, enslaved girl well aware of her situation and surroundings. Through Weidt’s narration, Wheatley comments on the Boston Tea Party, the Stamp Act, and The Boston Massacre, where fugitive slave, Crispus Attucks, was killed. Weidt shows how these events fueled Phillis’ writing and fed her intellectual curiosity. Although Phillis is enslaved, Weidt aptly depicts Phillis’s ability to navigate through various social circles due to strong acute writing skills. As Phillis’s poems garnered more attention, she was questioned by eighteen of Boston’s “most reputable citizens” –some of whom included John Hancock, Reverend Samuel Cooper, and other prominent white men–to verify her authorship. This critical event is still discussed among scholars, because it serves as a testament to Phillis’ intellect, confidence, and unusual skills, whether a single “trial” occasion or a series of conversations. Weidt chronicles Phillis’ travels to Britain, highlighting how this trip inspired poems such as “Farewell to America” and ingratiating her into esteemed company that included the Countess of Huntingdon, Lord Dartmouth, and Benjamin Franklin. Weidt explains Phillis’ forced travel back to Boston being due to Susanna Wheatley’s illness. Even after being freed from enslavement in 1773, Phillis remained devoted to Susanna. Although some later events of Phillis’ life are still questioned due to limited archival information, readers can appreciate learning about the first Black American and second American woman to publish a book at only twenty years old. Weidt’s afterward captures the important legacy Phillis has on both Black literature and American history. This text is best suited to mature middle schoolers and early high schoolers. ​
Phillis Wheatley by Emily Smith
Overview by Kelly and Addison Franklin
​Emily R. Smith provides information about Phillis Wheatley in a simple manner that appeals to younger students. Addison Franklin, a 6th grader in Mansfield, Texas writes, “What I liked about this book is that it is an easy read but still has a lot of information, has good illustrations and pictures, and gives good details.” Smith describes Phillis’ journey learning to read and write without neglecting important details about slavery. Illustrations and definitions included in this 32-page book will help young students learn historical details around Boston, slavery, and Phillis’ life. Smith says that Phillis “used poetry like a diary.” Smith’s wording will help students understand Phillis’ intimate relationship with her poems, but describing Phillis’ life is impossible without also including the history of Boston and the colonists’ desire for independence from British rule. So Smith explains how Phillis “wrote poems about the events in her city.” While reporting on Phillis’ travels to England, the biography describes difficulties Phillis faced navigating white society as an enslaved Black woman. Pages with titles such as “Describe It!” and “Your Turn!” invite students to participate in activities such as researching slavery or writing about other special people in Phillis’ life.  
Phillis Wheatley: Poet (Junior World Biographies) by Victoria Sherrow

​This 80-page book for younger middle school readers and writers tells about the life of Phillis Wheatley Peters.  It includes over fifteen black and white images that act as primary source material.  It especially highlights Wheatley Peters's life in the context  of the American Revolution.
For more information on these resources, as well as some additional, more challenging reads, check out DFW Writes Phillis Wheatley Peters!