She Raised Her Voice!: 50 Black Women Who Sang Their Way Into Music History by Jordannah Elizabeth
From jazz and blues, hip hop and R&B, pop, punk, and opera, Black women have made major contributions to the history and formation of musical genres for more than a century. In this fully illustrated middle grade anthology, 50 strong, empowering, and inspiring Black women singers’ biographies will teach kids to follow their dreams, think outside the box, and push the boundaries of what’s expected. Written by music writer and journalist Jordannah Elizabeth, She Raised Her Voice! will inspire readers to find their voice and their own way of expressing themselves. The first of its kind for children, this anthology profiles Black female singers across genres, from Ella Fitzgerald to Tracy Chapman to Beyoncé. Each two-page, digestible biography is accompanied by a full-page illustration by artist Briana Dengoue.
Ages 8 and up.
The author and music journalist Jordannah Elizabeth put together a wonderful playlist of the singers from the book. You can also downloadable drawing sheet that encourages children to raise their voices. Both can be viewed on the book page.