She Persisted: Marian Anderson

by Katheryn Russell-Brown, Chelsea Clinton, Alexandra Boiger (Illustrator), Gillian Flint (Illustrator)

Overview

Inspired by the #1 New York Times bestseller She Persisted by Chelsea Clinton and Alexandra Boiger, a chapter book series about women who spoke up and rose up against the odds—including Marian Anderson!

When renowned classical singer Marian Anderson wasn't allowed to sing at a theater in Washington, DC, because she was Black, First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt invited her to sing at the Lincoln Memorial, at a concert attended by thousands of people. Marian went on to sing around the world on behalf of the UN and the US State Department, and as a part of the Civil Rights Movement, she also performed at the March on Washington. She went on to win many awards, including the first ever Presidential Medal of Freedom and a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award—and she inspired countless people along the way.

In this chapter book biography by award-winning author Katheryn Russell-Brown, readers learn about the amazing life of Marian Anderson—and how she persisted. 
 
Complete with an introduction from Chelsea Clinton, black-and-white illustrations throughout, and a list of ways that readers can follow in Marian Anderson's footsteps and make a difference! A perfect choice for kids who love learning and teachers who want to bring inspiring women into their curriculum.
 
And don’t miss out on the rest of the books in the She Persisted series, featuring so many more women who persisted, including Coretta Scott King, Harriet Tubman, Ruby Bridges, and more!

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780593403785
Publisher:	Penguin Young Readers Group
Publication date:	06/07/2022
Series:	She Persisted Series
Pages:	80
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.00(h) x 1.20(d)
Age Range:	6 - 9 Years

About the Author

Katheryn Russell-Brown (krbrown.net) is a professor of law and the director of the Center for Race and Race Relations at the University of Florida. She grew up in a family of music lovers, where jazz was an integral part of the sounds of daily life. A radio broadcast in 2008 about Liston inspired Russell-Brown to research the musician and eventually to write Little Melba and Her Big Trombone, her first picture book. She is also the author of A Voice Named Aretha and She Was the First! Russell-Brown lives in Gainesville, Florida, with her family. You can follow her on Twitter @krussellbrown.

Chelsea Clinton is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of She Persisted, She Persisted Around the World, She Persisted in Sports, She Persisted in Science, Don't Let Them Disappear, It's Your World and Start Now!, as well as Grandma's Gardens and The Book of Gutsy Women, which she wrote with Hillary Clinton, and Governing Global Health with Devi Sridhar. Chelsea earned a master’s degree in public health from Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health, where she is now an adjunct assistant professor, and a PhD in international relations from Oxford University. She is also the Vice Chair of the Clinton Foundation, where she works on many initiatives, including those that help empower the next generation of leaders. She lives in New York City with her husband, Marc, their three children and their dog, Soren.

Gillian Flint (gillianflint.com) is an illustrator who has a passion for painting in watercolors. She has been drawing and creating characters for as long as she can remember. Her work has been published in the USA, the UK and Australia. In her spare time she enjoys reading and gardening at her home in the UK. You can follow her on Instagram @gillianflint_illustration.

Alexandra Boiger (alexandraboiger.com) has illustrated nearly twenty picture books, including the She Persisted series by by Chelsea Clinton; the popular Tallulah series by Marilyn Singer; and the Max and Marla books, which she also wrote. Originally from Munich, Germany, she now lives outside of San Francisco, California, with her husband, Andrea; daughter, Vanessa; and two cats, Luiso and Winter. You can follow Alexandra on Instagram @alexandra_boiger.

Read an Excerpt

Dear Reader,

As Sally Ride and Marian Wright Edelman both powerfully said, “You can’t be what you can’t see.” When Sally Ride said that, she meant that it was hard to dream of being an astronaut, like she was, or a doctor or an athlete or anything at all if you didn’t see someone like you who already had lived that dream. She especially was talking about seeing women in jobs that historically were held by men. 

I wrote the first She Persisted and the books that came after it because I wanted young girls—and children of all genders—to see women who worked hard to live their dreams. And I wanted all of us to see examples of persistence in the face of different challenges to help inspire us in our own lives. 

I’m so thrilled now to partner with a sisterhood of writers to bring longer, more in-depth versions of these stories of women’s persistence and achievement to readers. I hope you enjoy these chapter books as much as I do and find them inspiring and empowering. 

And remember: If anyone ever tells you no, if anyone ever says your voice isn’t important or your dreams are too big, remember these women. They persisted and so should you.

Warmly,
Chelsea Clinton


TABLE OF CONTENTS
Chapter 1: A Community of Music
Chapter 2: Finishing School
Chapter 3: World Travels
Chapter 4: Marian Sings
Chapter 5: New Experiences
Chapter 6: Growing Legacies
How You Can Persist
References


Chapter 1
A Community of Music

Along, long time ago, it was common for some mothers to deliver their babies at home. On February 27, 1897, Marian Elina-Blanche Anderson was born in a room in a house on Webster St. in South Philadelphia. Marian was Anna and John Anderson’s first child. Then came Alyse, and next was Ethel.

Marian’s parents worked hard to keep a roof over their heads. John worked in the refrigerator room  at  the  Reading  Terminal  Market.  He  also  sold ice and coal. Besides taking care of her three girls,  Anna  was  a  seamstress  and  she  did  other  folks’ laundry. Marian always looked forward to her  dad  coming  home  from  work—especially  on  those Fridays when he brought pound cake!

Early on, Marian showed an interest in music. Before  she  turned  two,  she  would  sit  at  her  toy  piano, hit the keys, and make up songs. She loved hearing  and  making  sounds  with  or  without  an  instrument.  Anna  said  Marian  could  stay  busy  for an hour clapping her hands, stomping her feet, and  singing—lala-lala-la! Marian  was  delighted  with all the different sounds she could make.

Marian couldn’t help but love music. It was everywhere. At home, Anna and John sang hymns around  the  house,  and  the  family  sang  songs  together after dinner. After Marian’s daddy bought a used piano, she would sit next to him on the bench and  practice  the  scales.  Sometimes  he  let  Marian  think she was teaching him how to play.

Just going outside was a musical adventure. One  day  when  she  was  about  eight  years  old,  Marian  went  on  an  errand  for  her  mother  and  heard a piano playing. She followed the sounds of the tinkling melody up some steps, and there she saw a woman in the window, hands on the piano keys, making beautiful music. The woman was brown, like Marian. Hmmm, Marian thought, If she can, I can.

Music  was  at  school,  too—in  music  class.  And when other students had their music lessons in a nearby classroom, she could hear them singing through the walls. She was mesmerized. The sound of their voices was a sweet inspiration for young Marian, who sang along quietly. When she heard the singing, Marian no longer heard what her teacher was saying.

Music embraced Marian like a cozy blanket on a chilly night.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 A Community of Music 1

Chapter 2 Finishing School 9

Chapter 3 World Travels 17

Chapter 4 Marian Sings 25

Chapter 5 New Experiences 34

Chapter 6 Growing Legacies 43

How You Can Persist 50

References 54

Editorial Reviews

Praise for She Persisted: Marian Anderson:

"This biography showcases the life of an extremely talented American, while realistically addressing the discrimination she faced during her lifetime. A solid addition to any collection." –School Library Journal

From the Publisher