Martin & Mahalia: His Words, Her Song
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5.0 • 2 Ratings
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- $10.99
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- $10.99
Publisher Description
They were each born with the gift of gospel.
Martin's voice kept people in their seats, but also sent their praises soaring.
Mahalia's voice was brass-and-butter - strong and smooth at the same time.
With Martin's sermons and Mahalia's songs, folks were free to shout, to sing their joy.
On August 28, 1963, Martin Luther King, Jr. gave his famous "I Have a Dream" speech from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, and his strong voice and powerful message were joined and lifted in song by world-renowned gospel singer Mahalia Jackson. It was a moment that changed the course of history and is imprinted in minds forever. Told through Andrea Davis Pinkney's poetic prose and Brian Pinkney's evocative illustration, the stories of these two powerful voices and lives are told side-by-side -- as they would one day walk -- following the journey from their youth to a culmination at this historical event when they united as one and inspiring kids to find their own voices and speak up for what is right.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
The Pinkneys (Hand in Hand) return with a vibrant, upbeat tribute to two prominent civil rights figures and friends, preacher Martin Luther King Jr. and singer Mahalia Jackson. Both used their powerful voices to stir people to action: "Martin's sermons and Mahalia's spirituals told their listeners: You are here./ On the path./ Come along./ Step proud./ Stand strong./ Be brave./ Go with me." Brian Pinkney's illustrations reflect their partnership, as swirling swaths of color (greens and blues for King's pages, reds and oranges for Jackson's) meld into purple-magenta hues in spreads featuring them together. The line between illustration and narrative is satisfyingly blurred, e.g., bold colors highlight some words in the text, while the stylized watercolors incorporate words and phrases. Buoyant brushstrokes curl and circle upward, arrows curve and point. In each scene, an encircled dove flies along these looping lines, pointing the way to the book's culmination, the March on Washington. Author and illustrator notes provide additional biographical information and explain the artwork's symbolism in detail. An extensive resource list rounds out the concluding material. Ages 6 up.
