This Strange New Feeling

by: Julius Lester

Published by: Dial Books for Young Readers

Reviewed by Jamie Driggers

Subtitled: Three Love Stories from Black History

“What does freedom feel like when it is something about which you’ve only been able to dream? How much are you willing to risk to be free? Are you willing to die?” These are the concepts that Julius Lester explores in This Strange New Feeling.

In these three love stories from black history (all in the time of U.S. slavery), the author explores the resiliency of the human spirit and its desire to be free. For, as he says, we are not all so different. Though most of us have no comprehension what it means to be in physical bondage, most of us have something in our lives of which we would like to be free.

These three stories are based on historical incidents, but read like fiction. Lester is known for fascinating stories. His folk tale style and vivid description will keep you turning pages. And adults, don’t let the “young reader” description keep you from picking up this book. It is wonderful for us, too.

For those parents who read middle readers to young children, or parents who have young advanced readers, you may want to screen this book first. I personally would hesitate to give it to younger, especially highly sensitive, children. The atrocities of slavery are not glossed over in any way. Though some of the concepts—like slave owners having children with slave women—will only be understood by more mature readers, a curious child will have a lot of questions that parents might not be ready to answer. Still, I don’t hesitate to give it five stars. This is an excellent read.

The materials with this book say it is for age 12 and up, but I think it is far more mature than what I consider right for as Middle Reader—so I would recommend for Young Adult.

Author’s Web site: http://www.members.authorsguild.net/juliuslester