Julius Lester

I was unfamiliar with Julius Lester, and I was amazed at what a prolific writer he is, writing for audiences from preschool through adulthood. I chose to read Black Cowboy Wild Horses: A True Story (Dial, 1998), illustrated by Jerry Pinkney. I was attracted to it right away because of the beautiful horses on the cover (this was a visceral reaction that stems from my childhood addiction to Marguerite Henry books). The book tells the story of a real African American cowboy, Bob Lemmons, as he goes on a trek to corral a herd of wild mustangs. The plot is uncomplicated, but the text is full of imagery, such as on the first page when the sky is described as "curved as if it were a lap on which the earth lay napping like a curled cat." Lester wields a simile with skill, and this book would be a valuable teaching tool in writing class.
Lester first told Bob Lemmons' story in an earlier book, Long Journey Home: Stories from Black History (Dial, 1972, reissued 1993). According to the author's notes on the verso page of Black Cowboy Wild Horses, Lester decided to do a picture book adaptation after illustrator Jerry Pinkney told him that he would like to do a book about black cowboys. Jerry Pinkney ended up illustrating some other books for Lester, including The Tales of Uncle Remus: The Adventures of Brer Rabbit, John Henry, and Sam and the Tigers: A New Telling of Little Black Sambo.
Some of Lester's other more well-known books include To Be a Slave, Day of Tears, and From Slave Ship to Freedom Road. Lester talks about his life and works on his website, which can be accessed at http://members.authorsguild.net/juliuslester/.