Book Cover Image:
Book Summary:
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. Wealthy landowner, Mr. Pierce Butler holds
the slave auction at his plantation in Georgia.
436 slaves were auctioned off that day, including some from Butler’s own
household. It seems he was in some
financial trouble and had to sell a young slave girl named Emma, whom he was
close to and promised never to sell, since she had served faithfully as a house
servant for 12 years. The story follows Emma as she moves with her new “owner”
from Kentucky. She eventually gains her
freedom when she marries and escapes to Canada.
APA Reference:
Lester,
J. (2005). Day of tears: A novel in dialogue. New York, N.Y: Hyperion Books
for
Children.
Children.
My Impressions:
The book is written in a dialogue format, with
different characters speaking various dialects.
It is a difficult story to read for some, due to the format and also due
to the subject matter. The text clearly
illustrates how inhumane slavery was and forces the reader to look at this evil
practice through the eyes of the slaves themselves. Although the book covers a dark period in American
history, it is essential that it be read and remembered. History has a way of repeating itself, and
this is one practice that hopefully will never be reintroduced into society
ever again.
Professional Review:
From School Library Journal
Starred Review. Grade 6-9–This powerful and engaging historical novel is told in dialogue and through monologues. It also moves around in time, from the period when the story takes place to "interludes," in which the various characters look back on these events years later. It begins with a factual event–the largest slave auction in United States history that took place in 1859 on Pierce Butler's plantation in Georgia. The book introduces Butler, his abolitionist ex-wife Fanny Kemble, their two daughters, the auctioneer, and a number of slaves sold to pay off Butler's gambling debts. Emma, a fictional house slave, is the centerpiece of the novel. She cares for the master's daughters and has been promised that she will never be sold. On the last day of the auction, Butler impulsively sells her to a woman from Kentucky. There she marries, runs away, and eventually gains her freedom in Canada. Lester has done an admirable job of portraying the simmering anger and aching sadness that the slaves must have felt. Each character is well drawn and believable. Both blacks and whites liberally use the word "nigger," which will be jarring to modern-day students. 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.
Starred Review. Grade 6-9–This powerful and engaging historical novel is told in dialogue and through monologues. It also moves around in time, from the period when the story takes place to "interludes," in which the various characters look back on these events years later. It begins with a factual event–the largest slave auction in United States history that took place in 1859 on Pierce Butler's plantation in Georgia. The book introduces Butler, his abolitionist ex-wife Fanny Kemble, their two daughters, the auctioneer, and a number of slaves sold to pay off Butler's gambling debts. Emma, a fictional house slave, is the centerpiece of the novel. She cares for the master's daughters and has been promised that she will never be sold. On the last day of the auction, Butler impulsively sells her to a woman from Kentucky. There she marries, runs away, and eventually gains her freedom in Canada. Lester has done an admirable job of portraying the simmering anger and aching sadness that the slaves must have felt. Each character is well drawn and believable. Both blacks and whites liberally use the word "nigger," which will be jarring to modern-day students. 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.
[Review
of the book Day of Tears: A novel in dialogue, by J. Lester]. (2011, February). School Library Journal, 57(2). 35.
Retrieved from http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com.
Library Uses:
The Day of Tears is based on a historical
event that most people have not heard about, called “The Weeping Time.” A good project would be to do some research
on this event and create a poster to be displayed in the library, on slavery
and the things leading up to the Civil Rights movement. Famous freedom fighters could be highlighted
and displayed with relevant library books on the subject.
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