by Anne on December 10, 2008
Emily Dickinson, writer
Dec. 10, 1830-May 15, 1886
Emily by Michael Bedard, illustrated by Barbara Cooney (Doubleday, 1992)
This is a fictionalized account of a young girl’s encounter with her Amherst, Massachusetts, neighbor—the reclusive poet, Emily Dickinson.
Visit The Emily Dickinson Museum in Amherst, Massachusetts, for tours and information.
Phillis Wheatley, poet
c. 1753/54-Dec. 5, 1784
A Voice of Her Own: A Story of Phillis Wheatley, Slave Poet by Kathryn Lasky, illustrated by Paul Lee (Candlewick, 2005)
The first published African-American woman poet is remembered in this story about her life. Sold into slavery and purchased by the Wheatley family of Boston, Massachusetts, she learned to read and write. Wheatley’s first poem was published when she was 13. Stirring.
Wheatley’s bio is posted on the University of Delaware site that has a volume of Wheatley poems in their collection. Another short bio of Wheatley appears on a PBS page.
Walt Whitman, writer
May 31, 1819-March 26, 1892
Walt Whitman: Words for America by Barbara Kerley, illustrated by Brian Selznick (Scholastic, 2004)
A poet and more, Whitman’s life is explored in this tribute to an American icon.
Poets.org offers a bio and photo of Whitman on their site as well as external links.
