Letters From a Slave Girl: The Story of Harriet Jacobs

Mary E. Lyons

Jun 2008 · Sold by Simon and Schuster

About this ebook

Based on the true story of Harriet Ann Jacobs, Letters from a Slave Girl reveals in poignant detail what thousands of African American women had to endure not long ago, sure to enlighten, anger, and never be forgotten.

Harriet Jacobs was born into slavery; it's the only life she has ever known. Now, with the death of her mistress, there is a chance she will be given her freedom, and for the first time Harriet feels hopeful. But hoping can be dangerous, because disappointment is devastating. Harriet has one last hope, though: escape to the North. And as she faces numerous ordeals, this hope gives her the strength she needs to survive.

Ratings and reviews

An autobiography about Harriett Jacobs When I was told to read this book I was not happy at all I thought it would be so mind-numbing, but when I read it was so good I couldn't put the book down. Harriet Jacobs was born into slavery, she lived with her grandma until Dr. James Norcom brought Harriet and her brother John. The Doctor always mistreated Harriet. To find out about her experiences in her life of slavery read the exciting book "Letters From a Slave Girl: The Story of Harriet Jacobs".

This was a really great book that I enjoyed reading. Lyons did a really good job of imagining what life was like for Harriet when she was a slave and reading about her seven years of confinement was indescribable. This book would be great for using in a classroom to help students understand about what a slaves life was really like and how hard it was at times.

To riveting to narrow down, but the atrocities these women endured should serve as a testament to the strength and determination to carry on, very well written, very powerful.

About the author

Mary E. Lyons is the author of many books for children and young adults, including Roy Makes a Car, Feed the Children First, Dear Ellen Bee, Letters from a Slave Girl, and Sorrow’s Kitchen. She has received the Golden Kite Award and a Horn Book Fanfare for Letters from a Slave Girl, a 2005 Aesop Award for Roy Makes a Car, and a Carter G. Woodson Award for Sorrow’s Kitchen. A teacher and former librarian, she lives in Charlottesville, Virginia. You can learn more about her at LyonsDenBooks.com.