Reviewed March 14, 2003.
Scholastic Press, New York, 2002.  40 pages.
Available at Sembach Library (JB AND)

What a beautiful book!  When Marian Sang tells the story of Marian Anderson and her beautiful voice.  The author and illustrator have created a beautiful work together.  They present Marian first as a young girl, already gaining attention for her wonderful singing.  As she grew, she struggled to get an education in spite of discrimination.  She gained the help of a great teacher by singing for him after he said he didn’t have any room.

Later, she traveled to Europe and met with great success.  When she returned to America, she suddenly faced discrimination again.  Eventually, she overcame it all with her sweet and beautiful voice.

This book is wonderfully and simply presented.  At Sembach, each year second graders and up are required to do a biographies project.  I love seeing this new wave of simple biographies that second graders will be able to read on their own.  This lovely book will be enjoyed by second graders all the way up to adults.
 
Review of another book about Marian Anderson:
The Voice that Challenged a Nation, by Russell Freedman 


Reviews of other books by Pam Muñoz Ryan:
Echo
Dreamer
Mañanaland

Reviews of other books illustrated by Brian Selznick:
Baby Monkey, Private Eye
Wonderstruck
The Marvels

Copyright © 2004 Sondra Eklund.  All rights reserved.

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