Day of Tears by Julius Lester

Book Summary
As a child born into slavery, Emma works hard to care for the children of plantation owner Pierce Butler. When Butler gambles all of his money away, he must sell his slaves in order to pay his debt. Throughout the slave auction there has been heavy rains which the slaves explain as god's tears for the horrible injustice that is taking place. On the last day of the auction, Butler requests Emma accompanies him in order to help watch over his two young daughters. Without warning, Emma is sold to a new owner and taken from her family and friends. Through stories told from each characters point of view, Lester pulls you into this story of Emma and her life as she goes from slave to a free woman.

My Thoughts
This is a very powerful book. It easily engages the reader in the story and shoves the reality of slavery in your face. It is heart wrenching to read about these families being torn apart so that a stupid man can pay off his gambling debt. Once you begin this book, it is nearly impossible to put down.

Library Usage
This book is a great way to tie together literature and history. Slavery is a fairly abstract concept in today's world but this book will help bring it to life in the mind's of young readers. Use this book in a book club setting since it will provide an excellent opportunity for discussion and teaching.

Journal Reviews
School Library Journal, March 01, 2005
"The text itself is easy to read and flows nicely. Different typefaces distinguish the characters' monologues, their dialogues with one another, and their memories. Still, middle school readers may have some difficulty following the plot until they get used to the unusual format. Altogether this novel does a superb job of showing the inhumanity of slavery. It begs to be read aloud, and it could be used in sections to produce some stunning reader's theatre." -Bruce Anne Shook, Mendenhall Middle School, Greensboro, NC Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.

Booklist, February 01, 2005
"From his first book, To Be a Slave (1968), Lester has told the history of slavery through personal accounts that relay the dehumanizing message of the perpetrators. The personal voices make this a stirring text for group discussion. Older readers may want to go on from here to the nonfiction narratives in Growing Up in Slavery." --Hazel Rochman Copyright 2005 Booklist