The Voice That Challenged a Nation: Marian Anderson and the Struggle for Equal Rights

Title: The Voice That Challenged a Nation: Marian Anderson and the Struggle for Equal Rights
2005 Newbery Honor Book
Author: Russell Freedman
Published: 2004
Plot Summary: This biography celebrates the artistic accomplishments of world renown singer Marian Anderson. Her artistic achievements are place in a historical and political context highlighting the Jim Crow US through the civil rights movement. Anderson's performance at the Lincoln Memorial ushered in the desegregation of the arts.
Main Characters: Marian Anderson
Theme(s): defying discrimination
Readers Response: Readers will reflect on the rights of citizens and various groups fight against racial and gender discrimination by exploring the life of Marian Anderson
Teaching Idea: Using Windows Movie Maker (or media format of choice) juxapose images and text, past and present, of struggle against and victory over racial and/or gender discrimination from each era: 1920s - 1940s, 1950s - 1960s, 1970s - 1990s. Select a song that could represent each era.
Grade Level: 5 - 9
Reading Level (Lexile): 1180

Eleanor Roosevelt: A Life of Discovery

Title: Eleanor Roosevelt: A Life of Discovery
1994 Newbery Honor
Author: Russell Freedman
Published: 1993
Plot Summary: This biography portrays the life of Eleanor Rooselvelt. The biography chronicles her life from childhood through her adult life. Eleanor Rooselvelt defies traditional social and political conventions and is consequentially heralded as "First Lady of the World" and a very important humanitarian.
Main Characters: Eleanor Roosevelt
Themes: standing up for what you believe in while facing criticism and unpopularity
Reader's Response: Readers will explore citizen rights and the role of a citizen by questioning misconceptions about social norms concerning gender and race.
Teaching Idea: Using PowerPoint, have children do a comparison of a female activist/ humanitarian from the past and a present day female activist/ humanitarian.
Grade Level: 5 - 9
Reading Level (Lexile): 1100