Thursday, January 21, 2010

Day of Tears by Julius Lester


Day of Tears is a historical fiction novel based on one of the largest slave auctions that was held in the South. The master, Pierce Butler, has to sell his 400 slaves to pay his gambling debts. Mothers and fathers are separated from each other and their children. The novel shows how everyone who was involved had their lives turned upside down.

Day of Tears is a unique look at one aspect of slavery- the fact that slaves were property and treated no better than animals. The owners didn't care that they were taking a baby from its mother. This novel is told in different perspectives and gives you a disturbing look at what life was like for slaves.

Review by Mrs. Gallagher