Review of THE VOICE THAT CHALLENGED A NATION: MARION ANDERSON AND THE STRUGGLE FOR EQUAL RIGHTS

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Freedman, Russell. 2004. THE VOICE THAT CHALLENGED A NATION: MARION ANDERSON AND THE STRUGGLE FOR EQUAL RIGHTS. New York, NY: Clarion Books. ISBN 0618159762

PLOT SUMMARY
Most of us find it inconceivable that prejudice and malice would or could keep a talented singer from performing in any venue, but that is precisely what happened to Marion Anderson. Born in 1897, Anderson was the oldest daughter in a family of three girls. Living in Philadelphia in a neighborhood of mixed races, Marion really didn't experience prejudice growing up. As a young adult, Marion finally did what she loved to do-sing. She sang all over the world, but was banned from performing here in Constitution Hall by the DAR. That began her battle to break down the barrier.

Critical Analysis
This book contains a lot of white space in eight chapters. There are plenty of photographs (all black and white) that document Anderson's struggle for the right to sing anywhere, but young readers may not be drawn to it visually. Freedman's handling of the subject is both matter-of-fact and empathetic. Using both personal accounts and those of her contemporaries, Freedman shows that Marion Anderson was willing to become a crusader for freedoms she had been previously denied along with many performers of color. She was not a natural crusader, but through her efforts, and with the help of then first lady, Eleanor Roosevelt, Anderson was able to perform before a record crowd on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in 1939 signaling the beginning of the end of segregation in the arts. Contains bibliography, discography, acknowledgements, picture credits and index. Winner of the Robert F Sibert Medal, and a Newbery Honor Book.

REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
Kirkus Reviews: "Well-chosen, well placed archival photographs, clear writing, abundant research seamlessly woven into the text, and careful documentation make an outstanding, handsome biography."

Publisher's Weekly: "An engrossing biography."

CONNECTIONS
Read some other books by Russell Freedman:

Freedman, Russell. THE WAR TO END ALL WARS: WORLD WAR I. ISBN 9780547026862
Freedman, Russell. CHILDREN OF THE GREAT DEPRESSION/ EDITION 1. ISBN 9780618446308
Freedman, Russell. LINCOLN: A PHOTOBIOGRAPHY. ISBN 9780395518489
Freedman, Russell. IMMIGRANT KIDS. ISBN 9780140375947

Learn to interview family members and maybe their friends and write someone's biography.