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Julius Lester
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Day of Tears (Coretta Scott King Author Honor Title) Paperback – April 1, 2007

by Julius Lester (Author)
4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 217 ratings
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On March 2 and 3, 1859, the largest auction of slaves in American history took place in Savannah, Georgia. More than 400 slaves were sold. On the first day of the auction, the skies darkened and torrential rain began falling. The rain continued throughout the two days, stopping only when the auction had ended. The simultaneity of the rain storm with the auction led to these two days being called "the weeping time." Master storyteller Julius Lester has taken this footnote of history and created the crowning achievement of his literary career.





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. Emma wants to teach his daughters-one who opposes slavery and one who supports it-to have kind hearts. Meanwhile, in a desperate bid to survive, Pierce decides to cash in his "assets" and host the largest slave auction in American history. And on that day, the skies open up and weep endlessly on the proceedings below.

Using the multiple voices of enslaved Africans and their owners, Julius Lester has taken a little-known, all-true event in American history and transformed it into a heartbreaking and powerfully dramatic epic on slavery, and the struggle to affirm humanity in the midst of it.
Previous page
  1. Reading age
    10 - 14 years
  2. Print length
    192 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Grade level
    5 - 9
  5. Lexile measure
    NP0L
  6. Dimensions
    5.5 x 0.5 x 8.25 inches
  7. Publisher
    Hyperion Book CH
  8. Publication date
    April 1, 2007
  9. ISBN-10
    1423104099
  10. ISBN-13
    978-1423104094
  11. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Julius Lester turned to writing after spending time as a photographer, musician, and political activist in the 1960s. His more than forty books for adults and children have garnered many awards, including ALA Notable citations and a Coretta Scott King Honor. To Be a Slave was a Newbery Honor Book, and John Henry received a Boston Globe-Horn Book award and a Caldecott Honor.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Hyperion Book CH; Reprint edition (April 1, 2007)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 192 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1423104099
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1423104094
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 10 - 14 years
  • Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ NP0L
  • Grade level ‏ : ‎ 5 - 9
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 6.1 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 0.5 x 8.25 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 217 ratings

About the author

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Julius Lester

Julius Lester

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Born in 1939, Julius Lester spent his youth in the Midwest and the South and received a B.A. in English from Fisk University in 1960.Since 1968 he has published 25 books of fiction, nonfiction, children's books, and poetry. Among the awards these books have received are the Newbery Honor Medal, American Library Association Notable Book, National Jewish Book Award Finalist, The New York Times Outstanding Book, National Book Critics Circle Award Finalist, Caldecott Honor Book, the Boston Globe-Horn Book Award, and a National Book Award Finalist. His books have been translated into eight languages.He has published more than one hundred essays and reviews in such publications The New York Times Book Review, The New York Times Op-Ed Page, The Boston Globe, The Village Voice, The New Republic, Katallagete, Moment, Forward, and Dissent.He has recorded two albums of original songs, hosted and produced a radio show on WBAI-FM in New York City for eight years, and hosted a live television show on WNET in New York for two years. A veteran of the Civil Rights Movement, his photographs of that movement are included in an exhibition at the Smithsonian Institution and are part of the permanent photographic collection at Howard University.After teaching at the New School for Social Research for two years, Mr. Lester joined the faculty of the University of Massachusetts/Amherst in 1971 where he is presently a full professor in the Judaic and Near Eastern Studies Department, and adjunct professor in the English and History departments. He also serves as lay religious leader of Beth El Synagogue in St. Johnsbury, Vermont.He has been awarded all four of the university's most prestigious faculty awards: The Distinguished Teacher's Award; the Faculty Fellowship Award for Distinguished Research and Scholarship; Distinguished Faculty Lecturer; and recipient of the Chancellor's Medal, the University's highest honor. In 1986 the Council for Advancement and Support of Education selected him as the Massachusetts State Professor of the Year.Mr. Lester's biography has appeared in Who's Who In America since 1970. He has given lectures and papers at more than 100 colleges and universities.His most recent books are John Henry, And All Our Wounds Forgiven, a novel about the civil rights movement, and Othello, a novel based on the Shakespeare play.

Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
4.7 out of 5
217 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Doris Gross
5.0 out of 5 stars Day of Tears (book)
Reviewed in the United States on October 12, 2022
Verified Purchase
This book was actually recommended by a quilting friend. I'm glad I have my own, I must mention the book brought her to tears.
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GILL
5.0 out of 5 stars Historical Fiction for Middle Schoolers
Reviewed in the United States on December 1, 2020
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Excellent middle school historical fiction. Easy to read, especially for those who don’t like to read. It is written in short segments from each characters point of view. Based on The Weeping Time of 1859 which was regarded as the largest single sale of enslaved people in U.S. history. As an 8th grade English teacher, I used this book in my curriculum, and it was well received by my students.
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lms
5.0 out of 5 stars Very well written story about the struggles of African Americans ...
Reviewed in the United States on August 11, 2018
Verified Purchase
Very well written story about the struggles of African Americans living in America. Often times, this story never gets told in the schools. The students are missing out on truly understanding the struggles and hope that slaves had to endure. This history seems to get swept under the carpet and often forgotten. I think this book should be shared in the high school.
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Educate yourself!
Reviewed in the United States on April 22, 2021
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Great book - a must read!
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Stephanie Rosado
5.0 out of 5 stars they also came in perfect condition
Reviewed in the United States on August 21, 2018
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this Book I got for my Daughter for school she needs to do an essay and I could not find this book in the Library, so far she likes it.
they also came in perfect condition
One person found this helpful
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Iona
4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting Read
Reviewed in the United States on August 7, 2020
Verified Purchase
This was a very quick read. It was good and gave some insight with various perspectives regarding slavery. I was expecting a little more depth in the characters. But overall this was a decent book.
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Paul's mom
5.0 out of 5 stars The title says it all.
Reviewed in the United States on April 21, 2017
Verified Purchase
I read this story to my 7 yr. old granddaughter. She was interested and felt sad for the slaves. I want her to know what happened in this country and how it continues to affect people's perception and lives.
One person found this helpful
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cjPhoenix
5.0 out of 5 stars So glad I invested
Reviewed in the United States on March 5, 2018
Verified Purchase
I ordered after hearing about author's death. So glad I invested. Delivered on time, and a good read. Recommend.
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Top reviews from other countries

Melanie Geraghty
4.0 out of 5 stars Four Stars
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 25, 2017
Verified Purchase
Interesting mixed media
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Yasumy
3.0 out of 5 stars Not quite what I expected it to be.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 5, 2013
Verified Purchase
Nevertheless, it was still an interesting read. There are few books out like this, so well worth a read for many.
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