Ryan and Selznick (Amelia and Eleanor Go for a Ride, 1999, etc.) reunite for another magical collaboration, this time presenting Marian Anderson to a young audience. Using the visual metaphor of an operatic presentation, the production opens on the Metropolitan Opera stage just before performance, followed by a spread in which the audience watches as the curtain rises and a street scene reveals a tiny figure singing in a brightly-lit window. The shape of the volume lends itself to the broad sweep of the stage and even the title page reads like the show’s program. Anderson’s story is perhaps not well known to younger children, but Ryan does a good job of making it accessible. In simply stated prose she acquaints young readers, who may be disbelieving, with a time of social injustice when a person of color could not pursue a professional career in concert music and it was an act of personal courage to sing before racially mixed audiences. Verses of Anderson’s most famous songs are included as they have meaningful application for events. The account includes the most notable episode in her life when, denied access to Washington’s Constitution Hall because of her race, Marian sang on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial before a crowd of thousands—black and white. Selznick’s carefully researched, sepia-toned, acrylic illustrations dramatize Anderson’s strong, handsome face on most pages. That face is faithfully and powerfully rendered, eyes closed when singing, with an intense, almost sublime engagement in her music. The work culminates with another history-making moment when she realizes her dream and becomes the first African-American to perform at the Metropolitan Opera. Selznick depicts her in this spread standing triumphantly in the spotlight, a vivid spot of color in an otherwise monochromatic treatment. A lengthy “encore” includes personal details and history from both author and illustrator; an “ovation” cites resources. Perfectly paced and perfectly pitched, this never loses sight of the fact that Marian Anderson was both a world-class musician and a powerful symbol to her people. A bravura performance. (notable dates, discography) (Picture book/biography. 6-10)

-Kirkus Review

*The Robert F Sibert Awards Honor Book*
This is a lovely story about Marian Anderson and the journey it took to get her, an African American Woman, to sing in front of THOUSANDS of people. The book is written so smoothly, much like her voice I imagine. Songs are mixed into the story to help describe her journey facing racism and bigotry in the United States and Europe. It's a beautiful story of how a woman stayed true to herself while wanting to sing with the very best operas. I found it humbling to read the journey and all the hurts she received by being told "no," due to her skin. She arrived back to the US from Europe in 1939 in the midst of a civil rights movement. Elenore Roosevelt was just one who came to her side in protest that she should be able to sing in Constitutional Hall. In the end, after the public marched, wrote to the newspapers, and formed committees to get her to sing she was granted permission to sing on the steps of Lincoln Memorial on Easter Sunday. She silenced the 75,000 people crowd who came to listen to her. In the end, she was able to fulfil her dream of singing in an opera. ( )

Goodreads Review:
A harmonious introduction to one of our country's most important singers and role models--as envisioned by Newbery Honoree Pam Muñoz Ryan and Caldecott Medalist Brian Selznick.

Marian Anderson is best known for her historic concert at the Lincoln Memorial in 1939, which drew an integrated crowd of 75,000 people in pre-Civil Rights America. While this momentous event showcased the uniqueness of her voice, the strength of her character, and the struggles of the times in which she lived, it is only part of her story. Like the operatic arias Marian would come to sing, Ryan's text is as moving as a libretto, and Selznick's pictures as exquisitely detailed and elaborately designed as a stage set. What emerges most profoundly from their shared vision is a role model of courage.

This book is a biography of the life of Marian Anderson. She went to become one of the greatest singers of her era and persevered against racism and prejudice to achieve her dreams. Marian Anderson is best known for her groundbreaking concert at the Lincoln Memorial in 1939, which drew an integrated crowd of 75,000 people in pre-Civil Rights America. This book serves as a way to show that you do not need to be a president or an activist to bring change to the world. I would use this book as a supplement to a lesson about the Civil Rights Movement. ( )

I did not know anything about Marian before I read this book. The story and illustrations beautifully told the story of how Marian became one of the greatest sigers of her time. She set an example to everyone around her, breaking barriers and showing that you can overcome any obstacle in your life. ( )