During this time, i began publishing, my first book coming out in 1968. Lester weaves together historical fact and beautiful, personal stories of fictional characters, whose experiences mirror those of so many enslaved. The book concerns the largest slave auction in american history, which took place on march 2 and 3, 1859, in savannah, georgia. Julius lester tells the story in the form of snippets of scripted dialogue, thoughts, flashbacks, and quotes from an historical pamphlet that gives the names and prices of those sold at this auction. Julius lester tells the story of several characters including emma, a slave owned by pierce butler and caretaker of his two daughters, and pierce, a man with a mounting gambling debt and household to protect. Julius lester books list of books by author julius lester. This unique writing style allows the reader to connect to the feelings that the characters are going through throughout the novel.
My interest in slavery was personal because three of my greatgrandparents had. This fictional novel brings to light the heartlessness of the slave auction, as emmas master pierce butler holds the largest slave auction in history. Since 1968 he has published 25 books of fiction, nonfiction, childrens books. Get your kindle here, or download a free kindle reading app. Julius lester turned to writing after spending time as a photographer, musician, and political activist in the 1960s. He was an academic who taught for 32 years 19712003 at the university of massachusetts amherst. Day of tears is a 2005 historicalfiction novel for young adults written by julius lester. Day of tears day of tears audiobook, by julius lester. On a day when rain came down hard as sorrow, george weems sets out to sell more slaves at one time than anyone ever had. This novel by julius lester was the winner of the 2006 coretta scott king award.
Julius lester audio books, best sellers, author bio. As did his father before him, pierce butler treats his plantation slaves like family. Apr 04, 2005 julius lester turned to writing after spending time as a photographer, musician, and political activist in the 1960s. When the auction begins, torrential rain fallsnot stopping until the final slave is sold the next day. See all books authored by julius lester, including john henry picture puffins, and tales of uncle remus. He was also a photographer, as well as a musician who recorded two albums of folk music and original songs. Julius lester books, author biography, and reading level. Library journal best book of the year and newbery honor bookjulius lester. The book, presented in dialogue, is a fictional account of a real historical event, the largest slave auction in american history. Emma wants to teach his daughters, one who opposes slavery and one who supports it, to have kind hearts. Day of tears by julius lester is an incredible book that describes the life of a slave named emma, as she tries to survive an existence that is filled with uncertainty and cruelty. Born in 1939, julius lester spent his youth in the midwest and the south and received a b.
Day of tears by julius lester in chm, djvu, epub download e book. Apr 18, 2008 when gambling debts and greed enter into the butler household, pierce butler decides to host the biggest slave auction in american history and breaks a promise by selling emma, his mostvalued slave and caretaker of his childrena decision that brings about unthinkable consequences. More books like day of tears may be found by selecting the categories below. Lester was also a civil rights activist, a photographer, and a musician who recorded two albums of folk music and original songs. Day of tears has 1 available editions to buy at half price books marketplace.
The rain continued throughout the two days, stopping only when the auction had ended. The novel tells the story of the largest slave auction that took place in american history. Most of the book is told in the form of a script using dialogue and stage directions. The book day of tears by julius lester is a historical novel based on the true account of the largest slave auction in united states history that took place in the year 1859. After going to just one she realized that she had a new place in her fathers eyes.
Day of tears audiobook by julius lester 9781470355937. Through flashbacks and flashforwards, and shifting firstperson points of view, readers travel through. So i checked out the forest of hands and teeth, the thief, and day of tears. The horror of the auction and its aftermath is unforgettable.
On march 2 and 3, 1859, the largest auction of slaves in american history took place in savannah, georgia. Jump at the sun an imprint of hyperion books for children. But massive gambling debts force him to sell 429 family members. It was the 2006 winner of the coretta scott king award as well as numerous other ya awards. The book in dialog, day of tears by julius lester is about a girl named emma who has a very hard and tankful journey. As a teenager, i lived in nashville, tennessee, spending most of my summers at my grandmothers farm in arkansas. This is a book trailer i created for nc state university eci 306. Day of tears julius lester audiobook ebooks download pdf epub doc. Julius lester emma has taken care of the butler children since sarah and francess mother, fanny, left. American historical fiction is still not my thing, but day of tears was. With the advice of my publisher, i started writing childrens books. Written by julius lester, audiobook narrated by sisi aisha johnson, lizan mitchell, marc d. Author julius lester carefully and intentionally leads us through the story of the day of tears, the largest sale of human beings every recorded. Jun 23, 2010 this moment in time, where you have a dearth of good books, this is the perfect time to read some books you do not necessarily think are your thing.
On the first day of the auction families are broken up, lives destroyed, and the rain falls in torrents. Using the multiple voices of enslaved africans and their owners, julius lester has taken a littleknown, alltrue event in american history and transformed it into a heartbreaking and powerfully dramatic epic on slavery, and the struggle to affirm humanity in the. In this masterpiece of historical fiction, awardwinning novelist julius lester tells the story of emma a slave of pierce butler and caretaker of his two daughters and pierce, a man with a mounting gambling debt and household to protect. May 10, 2011 this is a book trailer i created for nc state university eci 306. Throughout his writing career, julius lester has made numerous contributions to african american childrens literature. Listen to unlimited audiobooks on the web, ipad, iphone and android. In 1859 it rained for two days, merging gods tears with those of over 400 slaves auctioned in georgia, separated from loved ones forever. Explore our editors picks for the best kids books of the month. Stream and download audiobooks to your computer, tablet or mobile phone. Again and again, in a prodigious and distinguished body of work, julius lester has addressed the great horror at the heart of the africanamerican experience. Pierce butler holds the slave auction at his plantation in georgia. Julius lester, sisi aisha johnson, lizan mitchell, marc d.
Day of tears by julius lester goodreads share book. Heres a whole manual full of puzzles, games, and worksheets related to day of tears by julius lester. Julius lester was an american writer of books for children and adults. Suggested by adrev for a 3rd party secession studios. This video includes a summary and reader response for this book. And on that day, the skies open up and weep endlessly on the proceedings below. On march 2 and 3, 1859, the largest auction of slaves in american his. I had to do a lot of american history in school, and so i learned a dozen dozen times about the revolutionary war and the civil war and reconstruction and the dreadful dusty depression. Day of tears audiobook free day of tears free books.
Day of tears by julius lester overdrive rakuten overdrive. On the first day of the auction, the skies darkened and torrential rain began falling. Day of tears by julius lester book trailer bayushibutei. Listen to day of tears audiobook by julius lester, narrated by sisi aisha johnson, lizan mitchell, marc d. Day of tears by julius lester is a historical fiction novel that is told in dialogue. Master storyteller julius lester has taken this footnote of history and created the. A novel in dialogue, centers on an historical two day auction in 1859, the. A novel in dialogue is a young adult book of historical fiction written by julius lester and published in 2005. Uncommonly good collectible and rare books from uncommonly good booksellers.
Emma wants to raise the girls to have good hearts, as a rift over slavery has ripped the butler household. Emma is the property of pierce butler and has taken care of his daughters, sarah and frances, since. This paper shows how inspired by the american historical events in the southern states, julius lester s days of tears unveils the dark history of slavery. The simultaneity of the rain storm with the auction led to these two days being called the weeping time. Day of tears by julius lester, 2005, hyperion books for children edition, in english 1st ed. She would be forced to go to all of the parties and trades for she thought nothing more of it.
Johnson, tom stechschulte, john mcdonough, julia gibson, michael early. Day of tears by julius lester book trailer youtube. Buy a cheap copy of day of tears book by julius lester. Master storyteller julius lester has taken this footnote of history and created the crowning achievement of his literary career. Signin to download and listen to this audiobook today. Though it sometimes can be a bit confusing when read silently, the format does make the story very accessible to elementaryage children, as does. Emma wants to raise the girls to have good hearts, like their mothers, even as a rift in morals has ripped the butler. Listen to day of tears a novel in dialogue by julius lester available from. Emma, a slave for the butler household, is the focal point for this story of two families torn apart by the inhumanity of slavery. Based on historical fact it tells of the largest slave auction ever held and its aftermath. Day of tears by julius lester pdf free download ebook.
Day of tears book by julius lester 1 available editions. Day of tears julius lester audiobook ebooks download. His more than forty books for adults and children have garnered many awards, including ala notable citations and a coretta scott king honor. On march 2 and 3, 1859, the largest auction of slaves. A novel in dialogue audible audiobook unabridged julius lester. Jul 22, 2019 day of tears by julius lester, 2005, hyperion books for children edition, in english 1st ed. Julius bernard lester january 27, 1939 january 18, 2018 was an american writer of books for children and adults and an academic who taught for 32 years 19712003 at the university of massachusetts amherst. Get this book free when you sign up for a 30 day trial. Day of tears by julius lester and various narrators. For businessexclusive pricing, quantity discounts and downloadable vat invoices. Day of tears audiobook free day of tears free books slideshare. Pierce butler must sell off hundreds of slaves to cover gambling debts and 12yearold emma is one of his victims. Listen to day of tears by julius lester, various narrators for free with a 30 day free trial. Day of tears, julius lester typically i dont read american historical fiction.
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