Is TBAS Trustworthy?

To be a Slave is a trustworthy book because there are quotes by real people who went through these events. There is a lengthy bibliography (Lester 159-160). Also in the About the Author it says the Lester is a professor in black studies in the University of Massachusetts. He is a frequent contributor to news papers and is author of other highly acclaimed books, so he has a reputation of being a good and truthful author. One of his examples is the Library of Congress, which is a very good library. (Lester 36). To be a Slave has one six high class awards including a Newbery Honor Book and a New York Times Outstanding Book of the Year. If it wasn’t a trust worthy book we wouldn’t be reading it either. It won an ALA Notable Children’s Book. What I am trying to say is that if it wasn’t true we would be reading another book about slavery. Although he obviously didn’t experience the slave trade, he knows a lot about it. "...one of the most powerful documents to appear in children's literature." - School Library Journal. The book wouldn't be condemned for its great literature if it was all false. Since black studies is his occupation and his citations include the Library of Congress, my view is that To be a Slave is a very trustworthy book.

Lester, Julius. To be a Slave. New York: Scholastic, 1968.