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naomi41's review against another edition
4.0
On March 2nd and 3rd 1859, American history was forever changed when the largest slave auction was held in Savannah,Georgia. A total of either 429 or 436 slaves were sold due to the fact that the slave owner, Mr. Pierce Butler was a gambler, and couldn't afford to pay off his debts. Though the Butler family and the slave auctioneer in the story are actual people and the story is based on historical events of that family, the writing is historical fiction. Julius Lester writes this novel in the form of dialogue in order to capture the stories that weren't told, the voices of the slaves can be overpowering and heard much louder than the long days of rain that flooded such a dehumanizing event. "The Weeping Time" was what they called that period of time in which those hundreds of slaves were sold under that heavy rain, and once it was done, the sun shone bright. This is a really good book if anyone is interested in historical fiction. Lester is a really good writer so thats the main reason why I decided to read this book and its definitely a page turner.
cosmicbutton's review against another edition
dark
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
shighley's review against another edition
5.0
Important story told in an intriguing way. I've recommended that we get a class set at school. Tells the story in a way that reluctant readers will participate.
feliciacarr12's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Racial slurs, and Physical abuse
alexa_rae's review against another edition
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
shelbyglover's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
rebekah_florence's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Slavery and Violence
Minor: Sexual assault
taralorraine's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Read in one setting.
Very well-written.
I love different perspective so much and this author did such a great job at giving the read so many different ones in one short, impactful tale.
Very well-written.
I love different perspective so much and this author did such a great job at giving the read so many different ones in one short, impactful tale.
whitls's review against another edition
4.0
This book was also a required book that I read. This is a novel about slavery. You, as the reader follow one character in particular, Emma. You follow emma and her journey of being sold and soon coming to freedom and eventually how her life ends up. Although her life turns out dandy and all she always has that one day, where the largest slave auction took place, haunting her. It is definitely a day of tears for her and she never stops wondering about her family and she also makes sure everyone knows.
What I particularly liked about this book was the way it was told. It was almost designed like a play but also included the internal thoughts, and flashbacks/retellings of the past. This book definitely gives you a different perspective and feeling toward slavery. You ache for those who had to endure through it. I would recommend this book to anyone (meaning an older teenager/more mature teenager) who was interested in learning more about history. I would say mostly juniors and seniors would appreciate this novel more than those of younger ages.
WARNINGS:
Drugs: none
Sex: None
Language: Refers to blacks as the n-word
Violence: Whippings and beatings, besides that still a lot of violence but it is not gruesome or told in detail. Simply just the facts ex "He was whipped till he bled" that about as gory as it gets.
What I particularly liked about this book was the way it was told. It was almost designed like a play but also included the internal thoughts, and flashbacks/retellings of the past. This book definitely gives you a different perspective and feeling toward slavery. You ache for those who had to endure through it. I would recommend this book to anyone (meaning an older teenager/more mature teenager) who was interested in learning more about history. I would say mostly juniors and seniors would appreciate this novel more than those of younger ages.
WARNINGS:
Drugs: none
Sex: None
Language: Refers to blacks as the n-word
Violence: Whippings and beatings, besides that still a lot of violence but it is not gruesome or told in detail. Simply just the facts ex "He was whipped till he bled" that about as gory as it gets.