Coffin, Levi. Reminiscences of Levi Coffin, the Reputed President of the Underground Railroad. New York: AMS Press, 1971 (circa 1876). This book includes many accounts of escaping slaves, including the one that inspired Lester to write "Louis."

Lester, Julius. All Is Well. New York: Morrow, 1976. Lester's early life.

——. Lovesong: Becoming a Jew. New York: Arcade, 1988. A spiritual journey that reveals some of Lester's motivations for writing.