Julius Lester, a prolific writer of children’s and adult literature passed away last month on January 18th. He leaves a legacy of stories that are brilliant, powerful, and varied in how they approach race and culture. Several of his picture books feature art by renown children’s illustrator Jerry Pinkney. He earned a B. A. degree in English from Fisk University, and before becoming an author, Lester was a folk singer and songwriter. His first children’s book, To Be a Slave (1968) received a Newbery Honor award. Lester has written or retold children’s stories and folktales that range from picture to young adult books, twenty of his titles are listed below. For more books by Julius Lester, go here.
The Girl Who Saved Yesterday, Illustrator – Carl Angel (2016, Creston Books)
The Hungry Ghosts, Illustrator – Geraldo Valerio (2009, Dial Books)
Guardian (2008, Amistad)
Cupid: A Novel (2007, Harcourt Children’s Books)
Time’s Memory (2006, Thorndike Press)
Day of Tears: A Novel in Dialogue (2005, Hyperion Book CH)
The Old African, Illustrator – Jerry Pinkney (2005, Dial Books)
Let’s Talk About Race, Illustrator – Karen Barbour (2005, HarperCollin)
Shining, Illustrator – John Clapp (2003, Sandpiper)
Why Heaven is Far Away, Illustrator – Joe Cepeda (2002, Scholastic Press )
When Dad Killed Mom (2001, Silver Whistle)
Ackamarackus: Julius Lester’s Sumptuously Silly Fantastically Funny Fables, Illustrator – Emilie Chollat (2001, Scholastic Press)
The Blues Singers: Ten Who Rocker the World, Illustrator – Lisa Cohen (2001, Jump At The Sun)
Albidaro and the Mischievous Dream, Illustrator – Jerry Pinkney (2000, Dial Books)
Black Cowboy, Wild Horses: A True Story, Illustrator – Jerry Pinkney (1998, Dial Books)
From Slave Ship to Freedom Road, Illustrator – Rod Brown (1998, Dial)
John Henry, Illustrator – Jerry Pinkney (1994, Puffin Books)
The Tales of Uncle Remus: The Adventures of Brer Rabbit, Illustrator – Jerry Pinkney (1987, Puffin Books)
Black Folktales (1970, Grove Press)
To Be A Slave (1968, Puffin Books)
Have you read any of Julius Lester’s books? Do you have a favorite? Let us know in the comments below.
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