When Marian Sang by Pam Munoz Ryan

Title: When Marian Sang

Author:     Pam Munoz Ryan   

Illustrator:  Brian Selznick     

Publisher:     Scholastic Press

Year: 2002

Awards/Accolades:

Orbis Pictus Award for Outstanding Nonfiction for Children, 2003'

Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Honor
Best Children's Books of the Year, 2003 ; Bank Street College of Education

Booklist Book Review Stars, Nov. 15, 2002 ; American Library Association
Kirkus Book Review Stars, September 1, 2002
Notable Children's Books in the Language Arts, 2003 ; NCTE Children's Literature Assembly
Notable Children's Books, 2003 ; ALSC
Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People, 2003 ; National Council for the Social Studies
Publishers Weekly Book Review Stars,
School Library Journal Best Books & Review Stars

Summary:

Tells the story of Marian Anderson's struggle to become the world renowned singer she was. Because of her race (and the times) she was denied education, performance halls, even travel and accommodations in the US, all while earning worldwide fame for her amazing voice. The illustrations are excellent, of course. I noticed a symbolic use of shading to designate moments of oppression.

Use in Classroom/Library:

Read aloud; 

Curriculum Connections:

Civil rights;

Special Features:

Large note with the story of the book; timeline of her life; discography; portions of the illustrations look like a performance program

This title is in the Knox County Public Library.