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

by Russell Freedman

Freedman, Russell. 2004. The voice that challenged a nation: Marian Anderson and the struggle for equal rights. New York: Clarion Books. ISBN 0-618-15976-2.

SUMMARY
In this outstanding work of non-fiction the life and musical achievements of African-American vocalist, Marian Anderson, are narrated. Her accomplishments in the field of Music-Arts are brought to the forefront highlighting the influence they each had not only on her personally yet, the affect they each had on the country and the civil rights movement. Russel Freedman’s reputation as a non-fictional writer is highly recognized. He has written more than 40 nonfiction books for young people and is the recipient of the Newberry Medal Award and also of the Laura Ingalls Wilder Award. In 2005 he was awarded the Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Honor for this particular work of literature.

Acclaimed author, Mr. Freedman writes with passion and enthusiasm; his distinctive style of narration breathes life into the events as if they are being relived. I was instantly drawn into the life of Marian Anderson and my interests awaken; I was motivated to learn more. Through the author’s style and voice; I too, was standing there amongst the crowd on that Easter Sunday, on April 9, 1939. Russell Freedman brings the factual sentiments of the time by incorporating quotes with credible sources that are documented within the “Chapter Notes” at the end of the book. To guide the reader, a selected bibliography is provided. It includes informative scholarly articles, a documentary video, published interviews, and biographies.

The artful appearance of the book’s cover does not necessarily draw attention however, the title definitely makes one take a second look; “The Voice that CHALLENGED a Nation”. On the other hand, once the book is opened, page after page; the book is filled with photographs that are exceptionally detailed and compliment the text brilliantly. Each photograph adds depth to every chapter by providing an appropriate visual complimentary to the events. There are not only photographs of Marian Anderson in all aspects of her life, furthermore; there are photographs that depict relevant events during that time; for instance on page 55 there is photograph of a newspaper clipping, which headlines “Mrs. Roosevelt Quits D.A.R.”.

The organization of the book is chronological and easy to follow. Chapter one begins with the greatest memorable event; Marian Anderson singing to the nation from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. The remaining chapters narrate Marian Anderson’s life from childhood to that memorable event, and continuing on to her passing. Reference aids include a table of Contents, chapter notes, selected bibliography, selected discography, picture credits, and an index.

AWARDS
Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Honor, 2005
Newbery Honor Book, 2005

EDITORIAL REVIEWS
Grade 5-9–In the initial chapter, Freedman movingly and dramatically sets the stage for the performer's historic 1939 Easter concert at the Lincoln Memorial. In less than two pages, he captures the huge crowd's eager anticipation, briefly describes the controversy sparked by the Daughters of the American Revolution's refusal to allow Anderson to appear at Constitution Hall, and mentions the significance of the concert. He leaves readers at the moment when "A profound hush settled over the crowd.… she closed her eyes, lifted her head, clasped her hands before her, and began to sing." The author then switches to a chronological account of Anderson's life from her childhood in Philadelphia through her acclaimed U.S. and European concert tours in the 1920s and 1930s. He then gives a fuller account of the famous outdoor concert, which he refers to as a milestone in both musical and civil rights history. Freedman acknowledges that the singer did not set out to be a political activist or a crusader for civil rights. Numerous archival photographs, thorough chapter notes, a selected bibliography of works for both adult and younger readers, and a selected discography of currently available Anderson CDs are included. This inspiring work once again demonstrates Freedman's talent for showing how a person's life is molded by its historical and cultural context. Readers of Pam Muñoz Ryan's When Marian Sang (Scholastic, 2002) will appreciate this lengthier account of Anderson's life, as will all readers of biography, U.S. history, and musical history. --School Library Journal

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

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

"A masterful biography...The prose is sharp and clean with generous use of quotations...a superb choice." --VOYA