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Voice of Freedom


A stirring collection of poems and spirituals, accompanied by stunning collage illustrations, recollects the life of Fannie Lou Hamer, a champion of equal voting rights.

Despite fierce prejudice and abuse, even being beaten to within an inch of her life, Fannie Lou Hamer was a champion of civil rights from the 1950s until her death in 1977. Integral to the Freedom Summer of 1964, Ms. Hamer gave a speech at the Democratic National Convention that, despite President Johnson’s interference, aired on national TV news and spurred the nation to support the Freedom Democrats. Featuring luminous mixed-media art both vibrant and full of intricate detail, Singing for Freedom celebrates Fannie Lou Hamer’s life and legacy with an inspiring message of hope, determination, and strength.

Reading Age: 10 - 13 years
Publisher: Candlewick (December 24, 2018)
ISBN-13: 978-1536203257

 
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“Holmes’ multimedia collages perfectly capture the essence of each poem. Like Hamer’s life, the illustrations are filled with light, texture, movement, and darkness. They are both abstract and realistic, brilliantly juxtaposing gentle floral motifs with protest placards and Fannie Lou Hamer’s face in bold relief.”

— Booklist

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Voice of Freedom

Awards & Honors


 2015 Gold Parents' Choice Award winner

Horn Book Fanfare List  2015

New York Public Library: 100 Books for Reading and Sharing

Chicago Public Library Best of the Best Books

Huffington Post Best Picture Book Biography of 2015

Booklist Editor's Choice, Books for Youth

Caldecott Honor

Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Medal — Honor Book

Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe Award for New Talent

ALSC Notables List: All Ages category

Amelia Bloomer List: Top Ten Choice

CCBC Choices

Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People

Bank Street College's Flora Stieglitz Straus Awar

Bank Street College Best Children's Book of the Year

NCTE (National Council of Teachers of English) Notable Children's Books in the Language Art

TriState YA Review Group Books of Note

Marion Vannett Ridgway Award Honor  2016

Boston GlobeHorn Book Honor Book   2016

Social Justice Literature Award for Nonfiction winner

Notable Books for a Global Society list

Arnold Adoff Poetry Honor Award for Teens

Young Hoosier Book Award nominee

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