Julius Lester Libri

Retells the final adventures and misadventures of Brer Rabbit and his friends and enemies

I am a story. So are you. So is everyone. Julius Lester says, "I write because our lives are stories. If enough of these stories are told, then perhaps we will begin to see that our lives are the same story. The differences are merely in the details." Now Mr. Lester shares his own story as he explores what makes each of us special. Karen Barbour's dramatic, vibrant paintings speak to the heart of Lester's unique vision, truly a celebration of all of us.

A retelling of the continuing adventures and misadventures of Brer Rabbit and his friends and enemies.

" ... Award-winning author Julius Lester takes older children (and adults) on an intense, personal journey through the slave experience. As he gently explains the factual horrors of slave-ship conditions, auction blocks, plantation life, and the risks associated with escape, Lester consistently prods young readers with probing questions: 'How would I feel if that happened to me?" "Would you risk going to jail to help someone you didn't know?" "You are free, but are you?" Lester also asks us to imagine the voices and feelings of the African Americans in the illustrations--another brilliant call for active participation. Rod Brown's paintings are achingly vivid, so much so that a few may be too powerful for younger children. Certain depictions are difficult even for adults to bear: a lynched man with the bloody blows of a whip marking his back; slaves stacked seven-high in the hold of a ship, packed onto shelves with less room than the drawers of a morgue; and black bodies bobbing in the ocean. These are horrible images, but nonetheless historically accurate and important to remember. Brown took seven years to create these startling images, and his careful attention is reflected in the paintings' power and emotion."--Amazon

The narrative highlights the inspiring true story of Bob Lemmons, a formerly enslaved Black man who rose to prominence as a mustang wrangler. Through vivid illustrations and storytelling, the book celebrates the contributions of cowboys of color and pays homage to the culture and heritage of the West. It emphasizes themes of resilience, identity, and the deep connection between individuals and the land they inhabit.

A retelling of the classic Afro-American tales relating the adventures and misadventures of Brer Rabbit and his friends and enemies.

A retelling of the Afro-American tales about the adventures and misadventures of Brer Rabbit and his friends and enemies.

A Newbery Honor Book What was it like to be a slave?  Listen to the words and learn about the lives of countless slaves and ex-slaves, telling about their forced journey from Africa to the United States, their work in the fields and houses of their owners, and their passion for freedom.  You will never look at life the same way again. "The dehumanizing aspects of slavery are made abundantly clear, but a testament to the human spirit of those who endured or survived this experience is exalted."—Children's Literature

A young girl who has not uttered a sound since birth is shunned by the people in her village, until they realize how special she is