The Voice That Challenged A Nation by Russell Freedman

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Freedman, Russell. c2004. THE VOICE THAT CHALLENGED A NATION. New York: Clarion Books. ISBN 0618159762

2. PLOT SUMMARY:
This biography is about Marian Anderson, an African American vocalist from a poor family who became famous. The biography focuses on two important aspects of Marian Anderson's life. The first, her own struggles to become a singer and the second, her role in the African American civil rights movement. Russel Freedman describes her life, her struggles, and her accomplishments. He shows how Anderson continued persuing her singing career and despite the limitations that she faced in the 1920's and 1930's when people of color were not given the same rights as white people. Through the efforts of people such as Eleanor Roosevelt, Anderson was allowed to sing on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial which led to desegregation in the area of arts. The book includes black and white photographs of her, her family and events and lyrics of some of her songs.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
This biography of Marian Anderson is beautifully told and inspiring as it tells of her struggles to overcome the difficulties associated with being African American and her quest for a singing career. Freedman brings her to life for the reader, accentuating characteristics the reader can relate to. He is able to bring to the surface that feeling of being left out that all can relate to. At the same time he emphasizes the seriousness of segregation. Freedman's account of Anderson's life is moving and inspiring and is enhanced by the addition of many black and white photographs showing her from age one all the way to her adult life. It also includes photographs of her family and song lyrics. Freedman's writing and accompanying photographs paint a picture of her struggles and brings her story to life. Students will learn and become captivated with the story of how this poor African American woman fights for her own success and fights for civil rights and makes a place in American History.

4. REVIEW EXCEPTS
* KIRKUS, Starred Review-"He offers instead a fully realized portrait of a musical artist and her times. Well-chosen, well-paced archival photographs, clear writing, abundant research seamlessly woven into the text, and careful documentation make an outstanding, handsome biography. Freedman at his best."
*THE 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."
*VOYA- "Freedman creates a masterful biography of Marian Anderson. The prose is sharp and clean with generous use of quotations."

5. CONNECTIONS
*Social Studies: Tie this book into a lesson on Civil Rights. The biography will offer a story different from the typical stories about Civil Rights movements. This book could be read aloud to the class througout the study of Civil Rights or students could read it as a class literature selelction. Have class or small group discussions about events taking place in the life of Anderson as students read.

*Music: Have students study the musical vocabulary in this book and listen to recordings by Marian Anderson. Students may respond to the music in written form, or for others who enjoy performing, encourage them to perform for the class "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands or "My Country Tis of Thee".

*Website: The Marian Anderson Historical Society http://www.mariananderson.org/
Students can listen to her sing, find out more information about her, and view a photo gallery.