Julius Lester
(b. 1939)

Julius Lester is widely known as an award-winning writer of children's literature. However, before he published his first book, Lester was already a prominent folksinger, photographer, and civil rights activist. In his lifetime, Lester has also achieved success as a journalist, radio and television talk show host, and music festival organizer.

When he began writing books for young people, Lester focused on African American history and folklore. According to the author, he wanted his own children to have the kinds of books that he could not find as a child in a segregated society. Lester's first children's book, To Be a Slave, is a collection of six stories based on historical accounts of slavery. To Be a Slave was the runner-up for the 1969 Newbery Medal, a prestigious award for children's literature.

In addition to his other achievements, Lester has received numerous teaching awards, including a Gold Medal for National Professor of the Year. Today, he serves as professor of Near Eastern and Judaic Studies at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.

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