To Be A Slave is a children's novel by Julius Lester, illustrated by Tom Feelings. The book received the Newbery Honor medal in 1969. It explores what it was like to be a slave. The book includes many personal accounts of ex-slaves.
This book is about how it felt. The words of black men and women who had themselves been slaves are here, accompanied by Julies Esther's historical commentary and Tom Feeling's powerful and muted paintings, To be a Slave has been a touchstone in children's literature for over thirty years. To be a Slave has won numerous awards; Newbery Honor Book (1969), ALA Notable Book, School Library Journal's Best Book of the Year, and Smithsonian Best Book of the Year