On Writing for Children and Other People

If he hadn't chosen Judaism, Julius Lester might have made a good Quaker, the 'silent meeting' variety. He says his writing was a religious calling, one he was helpless to deny. Recently, though, . . . "the strength of that call has begun to wane." He was surprised years ago when his editor suggested that he write for children. He learned that finding the initial subject 'opens the gate'. He seemed to have little understanding of the significance when his first book "TO BE A SLAVE" was named a Newbery Honor book in 1969. At fourteen the family moved to Nashville TN (his father was a minister); here he was faced with "the white heat of hatred" and negroes in whom "hope unborn had died."( Jas. W. Johnson) He made friends with books & discovered the courage to dream. About that time he learned that his great grandfather was a Jew from Germany. Read Lester's thoughts about the personal "I" relating to the story of his ancestors. He went on to share with his students (U Mass/Amherst) what he had learned about himself, and the conviction that it is not enough to be opposed to racism; each person's story must be lived with integrity. Take "the risk to live your inner truth, regardless of the consequences," he said. Cemeteries have been important to the author, and trying to imagine the stories of the dead. "In the storytelling experience we bind ourselves to others," writes Lester, and become less lonely. Art & music were important from childhood - Lester types with musical accompaniment. He is interested in photography & shared mostly 'people pictures' in this book. Some of this book is slow-going. Will 'young adults' check it out? Julius Lester gives many definitions of "story" . . . My preference may not be yours, so READ THIS BOOK and savor his words. Also, read the fine review by Alison Follos, above. Julius Lester's several pages (138-147) describing the collaboration between himself and Jerry Pinkney were of particular interest to me. Their books together are successes to enjoy: the Uncle Remus books; John Henry, and Sam & the Tigers. Julius Lester wrote: "Today my identity is molded by the inescapable fact that the sum of my past is greater than the sum of my future. THERE IS ONLY TIME REMAINING TO DO THAT WHICH IS MOST VITAL FOR MY SOUL'S ODYSSEY." I hope the words are not a valedictory. They hit home with REVIEWER mcHAIKU who hopes to have many days ahead in which to "read in order to be moved, & even changed." This is a helpful, inspiring book; Julius Lester has shared generously. Seek it out!