Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jul 11, 2026

To Be a Slave

To Be A Slave is a 1968 nonfiction children's book by Julius Lester, illustrated by Tom Feelings. It explores what it was like to be a slave. The book includes many personal accounts of former slaves, accompanied by Lester's historical commentary and Feelings' powerful and muted paintings. To Be a Slave has been a touchstone in children's literature for more than 30 years.

Last revised
Jul 11, 2026
Read time
≈ 1 min
Length
186 w
Citations
3
Source
Wikipedia ↗
To Be a Slave
First edition
AuthorJulius Lester
IllustratorTom Feelings
LanguageEnglish
GenreChildren's literature
PublisherDial Books for Young Readers
Publication date
1968
Publication placeUnited States
Media typePrint
Pages156
ISBN0590424602
OCLC779012750
Followed byTo Be a Slave, Long Journey Home (Dial, 1972) 

To Be A Slave is a 1968 nonfiction children's book by Julius Lester, illustrated by Tom Feelings. It explores what it was like to be a slave. The book includes many personal accounts of former slaves, accompanied by Lester's historical commentary and Feelings' powerful and muted paintings. To Be a Slave has been a touchstone in children's literature for more than 30 years.1

Awards

To Be a Slave has won numerous awards, including the 1968 Newbery Honor medal.1 It was an ALA Notable Book, won the School Library Journal's Best Book of the Year, and Smithsonian Magazine's Best Book of the Year.2 It was given a 1970 Lewis Carroll Shelf Award.

References

References

  1. Wilensky, Melody. "A Western Mass. Jewel: 'I always took God very seriously,' says UMass-Amherst professor Julius Lester," Jewish Advocate (January 20, 2000).
  2. Writers of Multicultural Fiction for Young Adults : A Bio-Critical Sourcebook. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 1996. The African American Experience. Greenwood Publishing Group. (October 20, 2015)