A stunning picture-book biography of iconic African American opera star Leontyne Price.
Born in a small town in Mississippi in 1927, the daughter of a midwife and a sawmill worker, Leontyne Price might have grown up singing the blues. But Leontyne had big dreams—and plenty to be thankful for—as she surrounded herself with church hymns and hallelujahs, soaked up opera arias on the radio, and watched the great Marian Anderson grace the stage.
While racism made it unlikely that a poor black girl from the South would pursue an opera career, Leontyne’s wondrous voice and unconquerable spirit prevailed. Bursting through the door Marian had cracked open, Leontyne was soon recognized and celebrated for her leading roles at the Metropolitan Opera and around the world—most notably as the majestic Ethiopian princess in Aida, the part she felt she was born to sing.
From award-winners Carole Boston Weatherford and Raul Colón comes the story of a little girl from Mississippi who became a beloved star—one whose song soared on the breath of her ancestors and paved the way for those who followed.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful.
A voice of an angel
By Storywraps
This beautiful book is a biography of Leontyne Price, an African American opera star who was born in Laurel, Mississippi in 1927.She was the daughter of a midwife and a sawmill worker. In those times there was little chance for her to raise to international acclaim but her amazing voice caught the attention of the right people that could guide her and help her along to achieve superstar status. Growing up she had big dreams and plenty of be thankful for. Her loving parents surrounded her with church hymns and hallelujahs, and she herself basked in opera arias on the radio and watched the great Marian Anderson grace the stage.She was one of the first African Americans to become a leading artist at the Metropolitan Opera and she became recognized around the world - most notably as the majestic Ethiopian princess in Aida, a part she felt she was destined to sing.This book is inspiring and traces the journey of this young African American women who heroically battles racism and finally lives out her dream of becoming a famous opera star.The illustrations are fluid, featuring a muted colour pallet. The music is shown in brighter colours depicting movement and as a powerful force in Leontyne's life. They web and flow and sweep up the reader into the narrative.
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful.Inspirational and Aspirational book about an impressive woman by an impressive writer.
By 5feline5
The mark of a truly gifted writer is to be able to make us feel emotions and gain understanding with few words, and this book is an impressive example of just such writing. Every sentence and every phrase are on the mark, conveying not only information but context and emotion. I get the sense that Weatherford feels a strong emotional connection to her subject.The language is appropriate for the grade level but will speak to the adult reader as well- something I always value as a gem without price, as someone who is pressed into reading the same stories again, and again, and again. Whether you are looking for a book that introduces historical context to the Civil Rights movement or a handy way to introduce the idea of opera in a kid friendly way, this is a well written, well illustrated place to start. If, on the other hand, you want a story shows what can happen when you believe in yourself, and when those who love you believe in you as well, this is also an excellent choice!
1 of 3 people found the following review helpful.
I was very disappointed with this book - I had hoped for a ...
By Hot Hot Hot!!!!!
Poorly written, expects young children to have an understanding of the civil rights struggles in this country and the history of opera. I was very disappointed with this book - I had hoped for a beautiful book honoring an amazing woman, instead this book was pedantic, boring and just sad. Even the artwork was uninspired.
