John henry by julius lester the people could fly by virginia hamilton black cloth by. A third example comes from julius lester s 1969 book black folktales. Lester s photographs from the civil rights movement era have been exhibited by the smithsonian institution and are part of howard universitys permanent collection. He takes the ancient folk blues and thrusts it right into the boil of the late 1960s. Julius lester, who died thursday at 78, left a reputation as social activist, author, teacher, photographer, storyteller and folk singer who left behind his own take on the africanamerican experience in the 20 th century. Julius lester 19392018 is the author of over 30 books for children and adults, for which he received numerous awards including a newbery honor, caldecott honor, coretta scott king award, ala notable book, and smithsonian magazine best book of the year. When john henry was born the birds, bears, rabbits, and even a. Julius lester turned to writing after spending time as a photographer, musician, and political activist in the 1960s. Read on to find out more about julius lester s life and work. First released by vanguard records on the lp julius lester, 1965. His very first book was an instructional music book.
Julius lester american writer to be a slave and educator. Whether you need a classic kids book or classroomproven teaching materials, discover it at. He is also a photographer, as well as a musician who recorded two albums of folk music and original songs. Like any great myth, the true origins are shrouded. As a teenager, i lived in nashville, tennessee, spending most of my summers at my grandmothers farm in arkansas. Folksinger pete seeger and i wrote a book together, the 12string guitar as played by leadbelly, which was published when i was twentyeight.
However, i still cannot sort out my feelings towards heroic stagolee, the baddest. Julius bernard lester january 27, 1939 january 18, 2018 i was born in 1939 in st. For information about all of my books i refer you to my website. There is further evidence of stagger lees civil rights era change in status from badman to champion for black freedom in the 1969 book black folktales from julius lester. This book is the fictional recreation of the real story of lee shelton, the man who inspired the legendary folkmurder song stagger lee, alternately known as stacker lee, stag o lee, and about a dozen other variations. The civil rights movement through the lens of julius lester. To be a slave by julius lester, tom feelings, paperback. Julius lester, a veteran of the civil rights movement, is the author of 47 books for children and adults. Julius lester, chronicler of black america, is dead at 78. Julius lester books, ebooks, audiobooks, biography.
Visit scholastic, the worlds largest childrens book publisher. Bibliographical references included in afterword p. Stagolee is considered to be an africanamerican folk hero, a mythical man who outsmarted both death and the devil. Black folktales by julius lester, 97808022420, available at book depository with free delivery worldwide. In a gray fieldstone house in nashville, tennessee, the reverend joshua smith sr. Excerpts from the book black folktales by julius lester, 1969. I dont really care what the kid reads, as long as the kid reads. He was an academic who taught for 32 years 19712003 at the university of massachusetts amherst. This is a good overview of black folklore for the novice of the genre, a teaching tool, or for people who just enjoy good stories. My father wasnt a good photographer but his gift to me was his love for the medium. His first published book, the folksingers guide to the 12string guitar as played by leadbelly written with pete.
Julius lester audio books, best sellers, author bio. Profotos member biography julius lester i was born in 1939 and as a child took pictures with my fathers small box camera. A tale of love and desire signed by julius lester and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. For example, his retelling of the legend has the frightened sheriff aligning himself with the kkk in order to arrest stagger lee for killing billy. From there, he goes to stories of preand post slavery america. Awardwinning author, educator, activist, and musician julius lester, known for a body of work focused on africanamerican culture, as well as for his fierce advocacy for books. Each week, our editors select the one author and one book they believe to be most worthy of your attention and highlight them in our pro connect email alert. Though some of these stories have been around for centuries and many were passed down by slaves, julius lester s urban. Julius bernard lester january 27, 1939 january 18, 2018 was an american writer of books for children and adults and an academic who taught for 32 years 19712003 at the university of massachusetts amherst. While thinking about their own life stories and hearing those of their friends students may begin to find that what looks like an easy question may not have such an easy answer.
Julius lester is a celebrated author whose accolades include a newbery honor and a coretta scott king award. Tom feelings twelve tales of african and afroamerican origin include how god made the butterflies, the girl with the large eyes, stagolee, and people who could fly. His books include to be a slave, the autobiography of god, john henry, times memory, and do lord remember me. Julius lester was born the son of a black methodist minister in the south. Julius lester, who died thursday at 78, left a reputation as social activist, author, teacher. His book lovesong is a beautifully written account of his spiritual journey away from the conventions of his southern heritage and methodist upbringing, culminating in his personal selfdiscovery through a conversion to judaism.
Julius lester is an educator and awardwinning writer of both childrens and adults books, but how well do you know him and his work. Julius lester books, author biography, and reading level. Writer, professor, and photographer julius lester was born in st. Lester, an africanamerican writer and folk singer gives a very prominent black versus white dimension to his version of the legend. The author takes the topic of race and presents it in a delicate and thoughtprovoking manner for children. With the advice of my publisher, i started writing childrens books. A novel by julius lester and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Julius lester, one of the few living public specialists of tales of this type, begins with a few african stories to show the root of this field. I think childrens books should be well written and enjoyable to read. Despite this serious intent, lester also reveals his lighthearted side in books such as ackamarackus. He authored childrens books about race and spent 32 years teaching at the university. He includes some time honored classics of black folklore. Pete, looks like im going to have to use one of my giant death thunderbolts to get that stagolee. Lets talk about race by julius lester offers an opportunity for philosophical discussion about race, and how racial identity affects the way we view one another.
Stories from black history, and the coretta scott king award winner day of tears. Since 1968 he has published 25 books of fiction, nonfiction, childrens books. A third example comes from julius lesters 1969 book black folktales. Lets talk about race by julius lester librarything. View latest articles, news and information about what happened to julius lester, american writer to be a slave and educator, that died on friday january 19th 2018at age 78. Julius lester wrote about this spirit of resistance to white norms in look out. Stagolee was so bad that the flies wouldnt even fly around his head in the summertime, and snow wouldnt fall on his house in the winter. Stagolee, a short story by julius lester, was published in black folktales 1969 and is well worth reading. Made the butterflies, the girl with the large eyes, stagolee, and people. Decandido described as rampant silliness and an inventive text. My interest in slavery was personal because three of my greatgrandparents had.
Discover book depositorys huge selection of julius lester books online. Julius lester stagolee was, undoubtedly and without question, the baddest nigger that ever lived. Julius lester, an author, musician, civil rights activist and university professor who made a latelife conversion to judaism, has died, according to the associated press. He released two albums entitled julius lester in 1965 and departures in 1967. Were featuring millions of their reader ratings on our book pages to help you find your new favourite book. Author study created using powtoon free sign up at create animated videos and animated. His books have received numerous awards, including the newbery honor medal, boston globe horn book award and the coretta scott king award. Jan 21, 2018 julius lester, who died thursday at 78, left a reputation as social activist, author, teacher, photographer, storyteller and folk singer who left behind his own take on the africanamerican experience in the 20 th century. Black powers gonna get your mama, was published in 1968, and would be the first book to explain the term black power and place it in the context of african american history. Julius lester is the author of the newbery honor book to be a slave, the caldecott honor book john henry, the national book award finalist the long journey home.
Julius lester was an american writer of books for children and adults. He was also a photographer, as well as a musician who recorded two albums of folk music and original songs. Rereleased by ace records on the cd dressed like freedom, 2006. At times he recorded extended tracks that were quite radical in length for the era, like his minute version of stagolee on julius lester and, on his 1967 followup departures, dressed like freedom and long hot summer days, both of which hovered around the tenminute mark. Jan 18, 2018 julius lester is a 1 time bestselling author.
Although it is aimed for children, i think it would be helpful to incorporate it into a discussion with adolescents. Julius lester books, author biography, and reading level scholastic. Born in 1939, julius lester spent his youth in the midwest and the south and received a b. Twelve remarkable folktales, culled from the black experience in africa and america, are freshly retold in the thoroughly original voice of julius lester. Julius lester has 73 books on goodreads with 38936 ratings.
Julius lester and jerry pinkneys warm, humorous retelling of a popular africanamerican folk ballad. The book, presented in dialogue, is a fictional account of a real historical event, the largest slave auction in american history. Stagolee the old man who wouldnt take advice people who could fly keep on stepping. Julius lester is an american writer and an academic who taught for over three decades at the university of massachusetts amherst. Julius lester, author info, published books, bio, photo. Stagolee this song is by julius lester and appears on the album julius lester 1965. Find the latest tracks, albums, and images from julius lester. Arranged by topic origins, love, heroes, and people the tales combine universal themes and uncanny wisdom. His very first book was an instructional book on how to play the 12string guitar, coauthored with pete seeger. A summer tragedy arna bontemps people who could fly julius lester stagolee julius lester how buck won his freedom anonymous the steel drivin man a. Throughout his writing career, julius lester has made numerous contributions to african american childrens literature. Arranged by topicorigins, love, heroes, and peoplethe tales will delight readers of all ages with their universal themes and uncanny wisdom. October 20, 2012 development and maturity of the saxophone style of lester young introduction this essay is about the development and maturity of the saxophone style of lester young including his influences and his legacy to the jazz tradition. The missouriborn graduate of nashvilles fisk university came to new york in 1961 and began his multifaceted career.
Black folktales by julius lester book cover, description, publication history. Since 1968 lester has published more than forty books, including nonfiction, childrens books, poetry, and novels. Summary of stagolee as a fiveyear old child, stagolee runs away from the plantation, where he had worked in the cotton fields, taking with him a guitar, a deck of cards, and a. Lets talk about race is a thoughtfully written book about looking beneath the surface. See all books authored by julius lester, including john henry picture puffins, and tales of uncle remus. These picture books will transport you to places where you feel compelled to linger just a little longer over each spread. Stagolee was, undoubtedly and without question, the baddest nigger that ever lived. Black folktales by julius lester, 97808022420, available at book. This article is reprinted from the original reference work, the oxford companion to african american literature oxford university press, 1997. He has recorded two albums of traditional black folk music as well as original songs. He is also a national book award finalist, a national book critics circle nominee, and a recipient of the boston globehorn book award.
Do you think its important for childrens books to have a lesson or moral. During this time, i began publishing, my first book coming out in 1968. Black folktales by julius lester fantastic fiction. Spear by julius lester pdf julius lester born january 27, 1939 is an american author of books for children and adults, and taught for 32 years 19712003 at the university of. Julius lester books list of books by author julius lester. In 1961, i moved to new york city where i lived until 1975. His more than forty books for adults and children have garnered many awards, including ala notable citations and a coretta scott king honor. To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up. Jan 28, 2007 from julius lester, theres the singers unparalleled version of stagolee. This page is devoted to information about recent publications.