Nonfiction Historial Work: When Marian Sang: The True Recital of Marian Anderson by Pam Muñoz Ryan

Title:
When Marian Sang: The True Recital of Marian Anderson

Bibliographic Information:
Ryan, P. M. (2002). When Marian sang: The true recital of Marian Anderson. New York, NY: Scholastic Press.

Weekly Requirement:
Nonfiction Historical Work

Plot Description:
When Marian Sang: The True Recital of Marian Anderson is based on the real life story of American singer Marian Anderson. Anderson was a talented child with an amazing voice who began singing at a young age. The story starts with her childhood singing experiences in the early 1900's and ends with her debut at the Metropolitan Opera in 1955. Anderson encounters triumph through her rise to international success, as well as heartbreak when her father dies and when she is turned away from United States venues simply because she was an African American. When Constitution Hall in Washington D.C. would not allow her to perform her fans were outraged and it lead to First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt resigning the Daughter's of the American Revolution who sponsored the Hall. Anderson continued singing despite the racism she encountered and was able to achieve her dreams when she was the first African American to sing at the Metropolitan Opera.

Quantitative Reading Level:
Grade reading level 3.9, Lexile 780

Qualitative Reading Analysis:
The book is written in chronological order, beginning in Anderson's childhood in the early 1900's and ending with her Metropolitan Opera debut in 1955. The end of the book also lists chronological dates of important events in Anderson's life. The book is written in third person. It includes illustrations that convey the characters' emotion through the color scheme. It also includes fixed register through the songs Anderson sings, including "My Country 'Tis of Thee" and a number of spiritual pieces.


Content Area:
Reading- Literature

Maine Common Core Content Area Standard:
English Language Art.

Curriculum Suggestion:
Third grade English, History, or Music, to be read either for Martin Luther King Jr. Day or during Black History or Women's History Month.

Personal Thoughts:
This wonderful story includes beautiful illustrations by Brian Selznick, author and illustrator of The Invention of Hugo Cabret. It's worth the read just to show students the beautiful pictures of Marian Anderson's journey!

Awards:  
Parents Choice Award Winner (Gold Award, picture book, ages 6-10), School Library Journal Best Book of the Year, ALA Sibert Honor Award, ALA Notable Book, 2003 Orbis Pictus Winner for Outstanding Nonfiction for Children,Vermont Center for the Book's Best of Beyond Difference 2003, 2003 NCTE Notable Children's Book in the Language Arts, 2003 Jefferson Cup Honor, Virginia Library Association