Twice Enslaved: Liberty and Justice for Henrietta Wood

By Selene Castrovilla

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.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1662680740
• ISBN13: 9781662680748
• Release Date: February 2026
• Publisher: Calkins Creek Books
• Length: 80 Pages
• Age Range: 9 to 12 years
• Grade Range: Grades 4 to 7