Twice Enslaved: Liberty and Justice for Henrietta Wood

Here is the story of Henrietta Wood, who was enslaved twice--but who demanded justice and was awarded the largest reparations ever granted for enslavement. This nonfiction book for ages 9-12 puts a human face on the current issue of reparations.

Henrietta Wood was born enslaved. As a teen she was ripped from her family and sold. Years later, a miracle happened, and she was given freedom papers. But Henrietta's freedom was short-lived. She was tricked back into enslavement and sent to a Mississippi cotton plantation.

On June 19, 1865--Juneteenth--she was emancipated. Finally free for good, Henrietta Wood sued the man who had kidnapped her back into enslavement--and she won! Henrietta was one of the few people in United States history to ever receive a reparation payment for slavery.

Twice Enslaved is a true story of cruelty, resilience, and ultimately triumph, told lyrically for middle-grade readers by Selene Castrovilla and illustrated in full color by artist Erin K. Robinson.

Author: Selene Castrovilla
Binding Type: Hardcover
Publisher: Calkins Creek Books
Published: 02/03/2026
Pages: 80
Weight: 0.75lbs
Size: 9.10h x 6.30w x 0.60d
ISBN: 9781662680748