My Country, 'Tis of Thee: How One Song Reveals the History of Civil Rights

by Claire Rudolf Murphy, Bryan Collier (Illustrator)

Overview

More than any other, one song traces America's history of patriotism and protest.

Everyone knows the words to "My Country, 'Tis of Thee." What most don't realize is that this iconic song has been a beacon of change for hundreds of years. Generations of protesters and civil rights pioneers have created new lyrics, beginning in royalist Britain and continuing through conflicts in colonial times, the American Revolution, the suffragist and labor movements, and the struggles for black and Native American civil rights. With spectacular illustrations by Caldecott Honor–winning artist Bryan Collier, My Country, 'Tis of Thee offers a fascinating insight into the American fight for freedom.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781466870208
Publisher:	Henry Holt and Co. (BYR)
Publication date:	06/03/2014
Sold by:	Macmillan
Format:	eBook
Pages:	48
File size:	88 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.
Age Range:	5 - 9 Years

About the Author

Claire Rudolf Murphy is a long-time history buff who loves to write stories from the viewpoint of outsiders in American history. She has written fifteen award-wining books for young readers and currently teaches at Hamline University's MFA in Writing for Children program.

Bryan Collier grew up in Pocomoke City, Maryland. His first book, Uptown, won the Coretta Scott King Award for illustration and the Ezra Jack Keats New Illustrator Award. He has also received Caldecott Honors for his illustrations in Rosa, Dave the Potter, and Martin's Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Bryan Collier is the author and illustrator of Uptown, winner of the Coretta Scott King Award and the Ezra Jack Keats Book Award. He is also the illustrator of Martin’s Big Words by Doreen Rappaport and Rosa by Nikki Giovanni, both of which are Caldecott Honor Books. The Chicago Sun-Times has called Collier’s art “breathtakingly beautiful.” Mr. Collier lives with his family in Harlem in New York City.

Claire Rudolf Murphy is a long-time history buff who loves to write stories from the viewpoint of outsiders in American history. She is the author of My Country, 'Tis of Thee and has written fifteen award-wining books for young readers. She currently teaches at Hamline University’s MFA in Writing for Children program.

Editorial Reviews

Murphy revisits pivotal moments - social, political, martial, in which the familiar song was co-opted and re-lyricized as a partisan theme song . . . Will indeed be helpful in connecting readers to songs and recordings.” —BCCB

“An intriguing new take on a beloved patriotic song.” —Booklist

“A familiar patriotic song culminates in a hymn to 'Great God Our King'.” —School Library Journal

“This examination of a well-known piece of music and the activism it inspired makes for a fascinating way to explore history.” —Kirkus Reviews

From the Publisher

An intriguing new take on a beloved patriotic song.

Booklist

Murphy revisits pivotal moments - social, political, martial, in which the familiar song was co-opted and re-lyricized as a partisan theme song . . . Will indeed be helpful in connecting readers to songs and recordings.

BCCB

2014-04-09
One of the first patriotic songs young Americans learn in school is "America," more commonly known as "My Country, 'Tis of Thee."At some point, many also learn it shares its melody with the British anthem, "God Save the Queen." What is not so familiar is how several different versions of the words have appeared through the years and how many groups and movements used these versions to fuel their efforts for expanded rights. From the tune's first appearance in 1740s England as a way to support the monarch, during the Revolutionary War and beyond, lyrics were written and rewritten to reflect sometimes-conflicting causes. Murphy introduces various movements seeking civil rights and how they crafted verses to suit their particular causes. Short paragraphs provide context to introduce the variations, while single sentences in a larger type punctuate each spread. Readers are encouraged not only to learn about the song, but to write their own verses. Collier's watercolor-and-collage illustrations provide an additional level of understanding and complement the narrative. Detailed backmatter, including extensive source notes, bibliography, resource list (including musical links), make this an enlightening addition to social history.This examination of a well-known piece of music and the activism it inspired makes for a fascinating way to explore history. (Informational picture book. 5-9)

Kirkus Reviews