Day of Tears

by Julius Lester

~Emma has taken care of the Butler children since Sarah and Frances's mother, Fanny, left. Emma wants to raise the girls to have good hearts, as a rift over slavery has ripped the Butler household apart. Now, to pay off debts, Pierce Butler wants to cash in his slave "assets", possibly including Emma. Through flashbacks, foreshadowing, and shifting first-person points of view, readers will travel with Emma and others through time and space. They come to discover that every decision has its consequences, and final judgment is passed down not by man, but by his maker.~

I'm not sure what to say other than it was good, interesting and sad. I don't believe I've ever read another piece of literature that has given so many views on and insights into slavery.

"When I'm around Joe I talk a lot braver than I really am, but deep down, I like not having to worry about all the things I'd have to worry about if I was free. And maybe that's reason enough to get away from here. A real man don't live his life letting somebody else take care of him like he was their child. Mistress Henfield treats all us niggers like we are pet dogs that sit when she say sit, fetch when she say fetch, and stand up on our hind legs and beg when she say so."

This is a moving novel that wants to be read aloud. It would be a great addition to the classroom. I know I never read anything nearly as good or interesting on the subject of slavery in all my years of education. The story carries weight and maturity but remains accessible because of the dialogue/first-person format.