Theme 5: One Land, Many Trails

Meet the Author

Julius Lester did not set out to become a writer. "Growing up, I wanted to be a musician," he recalls. "I was not a good writer, and I never dreamed I'd become an award-winning writer." He did become a musician, recording many of his songs on two albums. He produced and hosted a radio show for eight years and a television show for two years. He also pursued photography and wrote a number of books for adults. Then, when his editor asked him to write a children's book, he discovered a whole new direction for his professional life. Altogether, he has written more than 25 books. Besides writing, Lester enjoys teaching at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, which he has done for nearly 30 years.