In 1842, 22-year-old Harriet Jacobs hid between the roof and ceiling of Gran's home in Edenton, North Carolina; her confinement lasted seven years. Drawing upon this escaped African captive's autobiography and writings by historians, Lyons created a sequence of matter-of-fact letters the remarkable woman might have written about her life. The fictionalized letters tell Harriet's dramatic story: they reflect anguish over her physical suffering, grief over the inability to live with her children and anger at all whose deceptions and cruelties led to the injustices and dangers filling her long life. Harriet's courage and the moral bravery of several women who were part of her experience can inspire readers, some of whom will find a contemporary parallel in the sexual harassment experienced by young Harriet Jacobs. Lyons displays admirable discretion concerning the young audience she respects and subject matter she does not sensationalize. The book includes Lyons' note about her writing process, maps, drawings of the house in which Harriet lived, archival photographs, two family trees (the white and black Horniblow families), a glossary of 19th century words and a bibliography of scholarly resources. Honor Book, 1992 CCBC Newbery Award Discussion. (Age 12 and older)

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.