  | Voice named Aretha Author: Russell-Brown, Katheryn | |
| Price: $22.58 | ||
Summary:
A picture book biography about the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin, and how she fought for and earned respect throughout her life with her unforgettable music career.
| Added Entry - Personal Name: | Freeman, Laura |
| Accelerated Reader Information: Interest Level: LG Reading Level: 4.70 Points: .5 Quiz: 506903 |
Reviews:
Kirkus Reviews (+) (12/01/19)
School Library Journal (+) (12/01/19)
Booklist (11/01/19)
The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books (A) (00/01/20)
Full Text Reviews:
Booklist - 11/01/2019 This beautifully illustrated look at the life of the world-renowned Queen of Soul is a sensational introduction for young readers to the artist’s life and body of work. Starting with Franklin’s beginnings as a choir member and soloist at her father’s church in Detroit, Russell-Brown (Little Melba and Her Big Trombone, 2014) highlights how a religious upbringing and ties to the burgeoning American civil rights movement influenced her trajectory as a singer and an icon. While Franklin’s sadness over the loss of her mother is discussed, mention of her depression, drug use, and marital woes are largely avoided. Thankfully, Freeman’s (Hidden Figures, 2018) interpretations of Franklin’s various sartorial ensembles serve to move the story from decade to decade and will be instantly recognizable to fans. An excellent addition to children’s biography collections, pair with Renée Watson's Harlem's Little Blackbird (2012), Patricia Hruby Powell's Josephine (2014), and Andrea Davis Pinkney's Rhythm Ride (2015) for more tales of historical Black musical excellence. - Copyright 2019 Booklist.
School Library Journal - 12/01/2019 Gr 1–2—Shy young Aretha Franklin found her voice singing in the choir at her father's Detroit church. An early family tragedy taught her to draw strength from her sadness and use her talent to inspire and empower those around her, like the civil rights icons of her generation. Franklin's power shines through lush illustrations in bold, royal colors. In one scene, the singer is dressed in a sunshine yellow dress. President Obama wipes away a tear as he listens to Franklin. A sense of time and place are evoked with striking choices in hair and dress, visually emphasizing her indelible place in American culture. The text effectively describes the singer's ties to the civil rights movement and spotlights her importance as an enduring symbol of hope. VERDICT This richly detailed look at the Queen of Soul is an essential biography of an American icon.—Savannah Kitchens, Parnell Memorial Library, Montevallo, AL - Copyright 2019 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.
