Day of Tears

(Lester, J. (2005). Day of tears: a novel in dialogue. New York: Hyperion Books for Children.)

Summary: A book written completely in dialogue Julius Lester reveals the perspectives and emotions of a varying group of surrounding he practice of slavery., including a slave auctioneer, a master, enslaved parents and their daughter, other slaves, and the masters daughters. The conflicting opinions and feelings sometimes within characters leads to an emotional book with a behind the scenes view on slavery.

Reading Level:  Ages 11-14, Lexile NP

Key words/phrases:

1.      Slavery            

2.      Slave auction

3.      Separation of families

4.      Savannah, Georgia 1859

5.      Opposition to and defense of slavery

Suggested Delivery: Small group

Electronic Resources:

1.      PBS: Pierce Butler and Fanny Kemble provides background information on these two characters who play a pivotal role in the book.
2.      PBS: The Weeping Time provides information on the slave auction which occurs in this book as well as links to additional material relating to this topic.
3.      Library of Congress American Memory: What became of the slaves on a Georgia plantation? provides information which was used in the writing of this book on the slave auction.

Teaching Suggestions:

Key Vocabulary: plantation, vigorously, runaways, dignity, quarters, auctioneer, reputation

Reading strategies to increase comprehension:

         Before: brief mini lesson on slavery specifically focusing on how slaves were sold at slave auctions. Also incorporate, or at least introduce the ideas of differing feelings towards slavery of those involved. Discuss how a student might feel if they were a slave, a master, a slave auctioneer, a family member o f a slave being sold, and a family member of a master selling the slaves.

         During:  Students will be described characters per chapter and will read their characters parts. After each chapter, students will discuss how their characters actions and feelings makes tehm feel and preict (with a brief note or two) what their character will do next. Predictions will be written down and checked as they continue reading.

         After: Have students create a chart with each of the characters listed and list the characters feelings and their actions, towards slavery and in general, and whether their feelings and actions match.

Character	Feelings	Actions	Match?
Master Butler
Fanny
Emma
….

Julius Lester

Writing activity demonstrating inferential comprehension:  Students can choose a character from the story and write a one page dialogue with another character from the story, or a monologue expressing their feelings towards slavery, for or against as appropriate for their character. The chart from the “After” activity can be used as a guide.