Reviews

Day of Tears by Julius Lester

soulwinds's review against another edition

dark informative 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? No

3.0

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Content Warnings

Minor: Violence, Trafficking, Slavery, Racism, and Death

abatkins's review against another edition

5.0

I was so caught up in this book. I wanted to know more about each person and the struggle that they went through.

mandierose's review against another edition

2.0

I really liked the idea of the different writing style, but using only dialogue didn't really work in the situation. I thought the characters never developed, and even though it was attempting to describe a horrible event, I didn't really feel the pain of it like I feel like I should have.

andeez's review against another edition

5.0

It's "Roots" for middle grade readers. Just like Roots, I'm torn apart. This historical fiction novel is based on a true event in one of the worst times in American History. It's a quick read for adults and very manageable for grades 4 and up.

The story is written in thought and dialogue with "intermissions" of characters reflecting on once was. I wanted to finish this before Black History Month and I can't wait to book talk this one to the middle schoolers. It'll get snatched up in a heartbeat.

king_vexus_morpheus's review against another edition

dark emotional sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

she_reads_alot's review against another edition

5.0

An historical fiction account of “The Weeping Time”.
March 2nd and 3rd 1859 Pierce Butler sends approximately 429 of his slaves to auction . He profits roughly $300,000 to offset his gambling debts.
This story is heart wrenching .
Lester has done a magnificent job at recreating an event that even had God weeping.

avidales's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional informative inspiring reflective sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

berniemck's review against another edition

5.0

I loved this book. it was a fictional novel based upon the largest auction of slaves in American history that took place in Savannah Georgia in 1859. The book opens up when the master who always promised to never sell his slaves, goes back on his word to settle his huge gambling debts. We follow a few slaves as they run away. After making it to Philadelphia, they run on to Canada when they find out that they are still unsafe. The drama that takes place is wonderful. The book spans generations, and it is brilliantly done

nathanbartos17's review against another edition

4.0

Read for my Library Materials for Young Adults class.
Definitely a draining read. It was interesting hearing from so many characters, and the audiobook was great with a full cast. I really like these books that focus on a lesser-known event in history, like what [a:Ruta Sepetys|3407448|Ruta Sepetys|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1344869981p2/3407448.jpg] does in her novels.

scarlettletters's review against another edition

5.0

This book was really heartbreaking. While reading it, I didn't realize it is loosely based on an actual slave auction that took place. I feel like the book does a really good job of indicating that during this time, not all white people were evil and not all slaves had the same perspectives about slavery, either. The multiple viewpoints really allow the reader to see how different the experience was for each person. I think it would be good for a class doing a unit about slavery in America, or people of any race who were interested in the topic.