Voice That Challenged A Nation: Marian Anderson and the Struggle for Equal Rights by Russell Freedman (2 books) (114 pgs) #21, #22

Freedman, Russell. (2004). The Voice That Challenged A Nation: Marian Anderson and the Struggle for Equal Rights. New York: Clarion Books.

Grades: 4 - 8

Curriculum Links: Social Studies

Author Credibility: Russell Freedman has written over three dozen nonfiction books. He researches topics and people that he is interested in and wants to learn more about. In the author’s note, he writes how he became interested in Marian when he found out about her relationship with Eleanor Roosevelt and the Lincoln Memorial concert that established her as an important figure in the struggle for equal rights. He includes numerous books and articles in his bibliography.

Awards: 2005 Robert F. Sibert Medal, 2005 Newberry Honor Book

Summary:
This book is about Marian Anderson, a talented African American singer who endured many obstacles during a time when blacks were denied the same freedoms as others. She studied music through the financial help of her community and church growing up. Later on, she traveled to England and then Germany to study other languages. She became famous all over Europe traveling everywhere to perform on-stage, but she still had one dream. She wanted to be recognized as the talented artist she was by her own country. After being denied the right to sing at Constitutional Hall, she was thrust into giving a free concert on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial where over 75,000 people gathered waiting to hear her sing. This concert made both musical and civil rights history. The concert is recognized today as a milestone in the struggle for equal rights. Marian Anderson didn’t set out to be a spokesperson for equal rights, but through her voice she played an integral role in helping others see the importance of equal rights for every person no matter the color of their skin.

Standards: Time, Continuity, and Change; Individuals, Groups, and Institutions; Civic Ideals and Practices

Illustrations: Black-and-white photographs documenting Marian Anderson’s life, primary source documents

Access Features: Table of contents, chapter notes, bibliography, discography, acknowledgements and picture credits, index

Classroom Use: This book could be used during a study of the Civil Rights Movement and during Black History Month in February to discuss important figures and what they helped accomplish during this time.

Response: I really enjoyed reading this book. I had never even heard of Marian Anderson. I enjoyed reading about somebody I knew nothing about. She really broke barriers when she sang on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. It must have been surreal to have experienced this first-hand. After reading this book, I want to hear her sing!

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Rosa by Nikki Giovanni
If a Bus Could Talk: The Story of Rosa Parks by Faith Ringgold
Through My Eyes by Ruby Bridges
Freedom Walkers by Russell Freedman