Twice Enslaved: Liberty and Justice for Henrietta Wood

In this concise biography rendered via narrative poetry, Castrovilla (Freedom’s Cost) centers Henrietta Wood (1818–1912), a Black woman who—following her emancipation, abduction, and re-enslavement—obtained the largest restitution payment ever given to a formerly enslaved person in the United States. The author employs metaphor, repetition, and other literary devices across seven straight-forward, chronological parts (“Stolen,” “Hope,” “Hopeless”) to transport readers to “the Ohio River/ along the line between free and slave.” When her enslaver loses his fortune, 14-year-old Wood believes she might finally return to her family, whom she hasn’t seen in two years. Instead, she’s taken from Louisville “down to where there was no freedom/... to Louisiana,” and enslaved once more. Evocative illustrations by Robinson (Ayo’s Adventure) capture pivotal moments throughout the subject’s life, while rhythmic language describes the physical abuse Wood suffered during her enslavement. Back matter includes additional details about the abduction, Wood’s life after receiving reparations, and the significance of Juneteenth. Ages 9–12. (Feb.)