To Be a Slave

To Be A Slave is a 1968 nonfiction children's book by Julius Lester, illustrated by Tom Feelings. It explores what it was like to be a slave. The book includes many personal accounts of former slaves, accompanied by Lester's historical commentary and Feelings' powerful and muted paintings. To Be a Slave has been a touchstone in children's literature for more than 30 years.

Awards
To Be a Slave has won numerous awards, including the 1968 Newbery Honor medal. It was an ALA Notable Book, won the School Library Journal ' s Best Book of the Year, and Smithsonian Magazine's Best Book of the Year. It was given a 1970 Lewis Carroll Shelf Award.