Voice Of Freedom: Fannie Lou Hamer: The Spirit Of The Civil Rights Movement (Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Honor (Awards)) Read Free Books and Download eBooks
A 2016 Caldecott Honor BookA 2016 Robert F. Sibert Honor BookA 2016 John Steptoe New Talent Illustrator Award WinnerStirring poems and stunning collage illustrations combine to celebrate the life of Fannie Lou Hamer, a champion of equal voting rights."I am sick and tired of being sick and tired."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 vibrant mixed-media art full of intricate detail, Voice of Freedom celebrates Fannie Lou Hamer’s life and legacy with a message of hope, determination, and strength.
Lexile Measure: 820 (What's this?)
Series: Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Honor (Awards)
Hardcover: 56 pages
Publisher: Candlewick (August 4, 2015)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0763665312
ISBN-13: 978-0763665319
Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 0.4 x 10.4 inches
Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
Best Sellers Rank: #40,616 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #25 in Books > Children's Books > Biographies > Social Activists #59 in Books > Children's Books > Growing Up & Facts of Life > Difficult Discussions > Prejudice & Racism #76 in Books > Children's Books > Biographies > Multicultural
Age Range: 9 - 12 years
Grade Level: 4 - 7
Summary: Fannie Lou Hamer’s story is told in her own poetic voice, illustrated with collage renderings of events throughout her life. Born in the Mississippi delta, the youngest of 20 children, Fannie Lou had to drop out of school after sixth grade to work in the cotton fields. She married Perry Hamer and adopted two daughters after being tricked into having an operation to prevent her from being able to have children. In 1962, she attended her first voter registration meeting, unaware that blacks even had the right to vote. Within the year she was deeply involved in the Civil Rights Movement, losing her job and her home as a result. Imprisoned and badly beaten, she refused to give up her work, eventually becoming a national spokesperson for the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee and addressing the 1964 Democratic National Convention about voter discrimination. Fannie Lou also worked to improve conditions in Mississippi, organizing cotton pickers and starting a Head Start program. She died in 1977. An author’s note, timeline, and bibliography are included. 56 pages; grades 5-8.Pros: A powerful story about a poor, uneducated woman who was able to make a difference on a national level. The poetic text perfectly captures Hamer’s voice, and is complemented by the large, colorful illustrations.Cons: There’s a lot of information here, and even older students may need some historical context to understand all of Hamer’s contributions.
I bought this book back in Nov., so this review is long overdue. It is a beautiful book, and in the capable hands of Carole Boston Weatherford readers are transport back through the life and achievements of Fannie Lou Hamer. Her words are both whimsical and striking. And the illustrations by Ekua Holmes are a perfect compliment to the images Weatherford's words create.The illustrations are stirring and vibrant and demand to be recognized. It is no wonder that Holmes was awarded a Caldocott honor and the Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe award for New talent for this debut work. It is well deserved. And this picture book biography is a wonderful addition to any bookshelf.
A Civil Rights story focusing on one of the figures lucky enough to not only survive, but thrive. Fannie Lou Hamer went from being the daughter of sharecroppers billed by their landlord into what was basically slavery. She died a congresswoman and continued fighter for equal rights.While this story doesn't end in a tragic death, it also doesn't pull punches. One of the beatings Hamer suffered while imprisoned during her activist years is portrayed point-blank, her hands trying to cover her face from the kicks of her abusers. And, while the medical side isn't shown, the story of her forced reproductive sterilization is told, which is going to need some explaining to your young listeners.Obviously, this is not a book you can hand to your kids and then go about your own chores. This is a sit-together, long discussion sort of read. But it is especially worth it, and a perfect book to read in response to the terrible racial injustice of today. This shows that equal rights is a process, but a process that is, at least, progressing, and can progress further with out help.
A great introduction to an incredible spirit in the civil rights movement. Fannie Lou Hamer has such an amazing story—it's hard to believe the kind of adversity she faced. This picture book gives an overview of her amazing life, complete with some fantastic artwork.
I give Voice of Freedom Fannie Lou Hamer 4.5 out of 5 Stars. This really is a fantastic biography book written in poetry verse. The text is beautiful, though at times a bit confusing hence the .5 rating subtraction, and the pictures are stunning. I love the simple yet complex and full of depth paper collage illustrations. They fit the poetry verse text so perfectly.All in all, I really enjoyed this informational picture book. I loved learning about a new aspect of the civil rights movement. I loved having the first person perspective; this perspective allowed me to really connect with what Fannie was feeling and experiencing. I loved how the picture book covers Fannie's life from 6 years old to a year before her death so that I could really see the whole picture. I'm amazed Fannie's mother had 20 kids. I can't even imagine being pregnant that many times. ;) I really enjoyed this book, and I think the colors and pictures are well deserving of the Caldecott award.I did mention that the text was a tad confusing at times. I feel that the lowest grade level I would go with this book is 5th grade b/c of the text, but I really only say 5th grade b/c they study US History. Therefore, a class or parent read aloud or study of this book would be best for 5th graders. I do think 6th grade through 9th grade would benefit the most from this book, and it is a perfect book for a class study during Black History Month or during a Martin Luther King Day celebration. Though, I also think it's a great book for any month or day recognizing amazing women and the many things they accomplished. Fannie was amazing; she is tough and smart.Fannie's determination, persistence, courage, and dedication were truly inspiring. Go check this great non-fiction book out!For more book reviews: [...]
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