The Voice That Challenged a Nation: Marian Anderson and the Struggle for Equal Rights

The Voice That Challenged a Nation:

Marian Anderson and the Struggle for Equal Rights

Freedman, Russell. The Voice That Challenged a Nation: Marian Anderson and the Struggle for Equal Rights. Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2004. ISBN 9780547480343

Summary:

Denied. Discriminated. Dedicated. Daring. Dignified. All of these words have one thing in common – Marian Anderson. Marian held a power in her contralto voice that couldn’t be denied, even though she was denied many times during the struggle for equal rights. Her influential, angelic voice helped open the ears and eyes of many and created waves during the Civil Rights Era.

Analysis:

Russell Freedman has crafted a beautiful complete biography of Marian Anderson. Through his words, the reader travels along chronologically with Marian from her early years in elementary school to her ground breaking appearance at the Lincoln Memorial on Easter Sunday in 1939 and then on to Marian’s later successes in song.

Freedman’s words are smooth and flow as well as any well-written novel. This biography lends itself to be read completely from cover to cover, or small snippets can be selected through the use of the table of contents or index. The incorporation of actual black and white photographs of Anderson and the events that helped shape her allow the reader to experience Marian Anderson’s world. Russell Freedman has also provided images of actual awards, playbills/programs, and concert invites almost as if this is a mini museum captured in print.

Each two-page spread contains several images or photos. The photographs are often set to the side or the top/bottom of the page as to not interrupt the text. In order to draw your attention to a particularly important image, Freedman places these images at the forefront often covering one or more pages. For example, the picture of Marian Anderson singing on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial completely covers the two-page spread. At this point, the reader is forced to stop and take it all in.

At the end of the biography, Freedman provides bibliographic information for pictures, discography, and notes. It is very apparent that he has done a very thorough job with his research. This definitely supports his accuracy and authority as a bibliographic author. Thanks to authors like Freedman, we are able to experience the lives of important historical figures that are often overlooked by the traditional history books.

Awards and Review Excerpts:

- 2005 Newbery Honor Book

- 2005 Orbis Pictus Honor Book

- 2005 Robert F. Sibert Medal Winner

From Kirkus Reviews: "a fully realized portrait of a musical artist and her times...an outstanding, handsome biography. Freedman at his best."

From Publishers Weekly: "Freedman provides thrilling accounts...copious quotes...allow her resonant voice--and personal grace--to fill these pages...An engrossing biography."

From Booklist: "In his signature prose, plain yet eloquent. Freedman tells Anderson's triumphant story . . . Older readers and adults will want this too."

From Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books: "Freedman offers the story of a movement encapsulated in the biography of an extraordinary African-American woman."

Connections:

Collect and share other biographies and informational books by Russell Freedman, including:

- Freedom Walkers: The Story of the Montgomery Bus Boycott ISBN 9780823421954

- Lincoln: A Photobiography ISBN 9780395518489

- Eleanor Roosevelt: A Life of Discovery ISBN 9780395845202

- The Wright Brothers: How They Invented the Airplane ISBN 9780823410828

- Becoming Ben Franklin ISBN 9780823423743

Find and share other books about Marian Anderson, such as:

- When Marian Sang: The True Recital of Marian Anderson by Pam Munoz Ryan ISBN

  9780439269674

- Marian Anderson: A Voice Uplifted by Victoria Garrett Jones ISBN 9781402742392

- Marian Anderson by Jane Sutcliffe ISBN 9780760786437

Research other important Civil Rights supporters, such as Martin Luther King, Jr. and Rosa Parks.

Research and discuss Marian Anderson and Eleanor Roosevelt’s friendship. Discuss the power of friendship. Connect to and share Jacqueline Woodson’s The Other Side ISBN 9780399231162.

Find recordings and listen to Marian Anderson. Discuss how her voice makes you feel. Ponder why her voice is/was so powerful.

Watch Marian Anderson sing at the Lincoln Memorial on Easter - April 9,1939 at Marian Anderson - April 9, 1939

*Image borrowed from www.barnesandnoble.com

Let freedom ring… Thank you, Marian!

~ Mandy