Lester, Julius. 2005. Day of Tears. Hyperion Books for Children: New York. ISBN: 0786804904.
Pierce Butler is a Southern plantation owner. After his wife leaves, his gambling debts become insurmountable. This led to the largest slave auction in American history. Julius Lester uses this event as a historical foundation for the story of Emma. She was the beloved slave who cared for Mr. Butler’s daughters and who was supposed to be protected from the auction block. Despite this protection, she is sold at auction. In spite of this separation from her family, she finds hope, love and freedom. Day of Tears is written as a play being acted out on front of the readers’ eyes, complete with a cast of characters, dialogue and stage cues. This unique choice breathes life into a little known event in American history. Mr. Lester includes an author’s note providing additional historical information and the story’s fictionalized elements. This hopeful story of a slave girl reveals the pain and optimism contained within one soul. This tale does so in such a manner that would not overwhelm or upset the younger readers. The story is told without the graphic description of the physical mistreatment of slaves.
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