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Learn more“Halie” Jackson grew up in poverty on the levees of New Orleans, hunting for alligators for food along the Mississippi River with her brother, Peter. But every Sunday young Mahalia sang proudly in the church choir, the youngest member at age five. She left school after eighth grade and worked as a maid to help support her family. However, her passion for singing her special brand of music known as “gospel” never waned.
Praised by parents, teachers, and historians, the Young Patriots Series is an ideal way to sweep today’s young listeners into history. The everyday details of family life, the time period in which they lived, what they wore, and the challenges they faced in school create a window through which children can access history. The early evidence of character, responsibility, ability, and courage showcase situations to which every child can relate.
Montrew Dunham is the author of more than ten children’s books, including Langston Hughes: Young Black Poet, Neil Armstrong: Young Flyer, and Thurgood Marshall: Young Justice. She lives in Downers Grove, Illinois.
Pam Ward has had many incarnations, including private detective, classical musician, television talk-show host, and actress, having performed in dinner theater, summer stock, and Off-Broadway, as well as in commercials, radio, and film. But she found her true calling reading books for the blind and physically handicapped for the Library of Congress Talking Books program, for which she received the prestigious Alexander Scourby Award from the American Foundation for the Blind. An AudioFile Earphones Award winner, her many audiobooks include Dancing in the Streets by Barbara Ehrenreich, Breaking Free by Lauraine Snelling, The Second Journey by Joan Anderson, and Lion in the White House by Aida D. Donald. She now records from her studio amidst the beauty of the Southern Oregon mountains.
Reviews
“Hook kids on history with this series.”
“Beware, for this glimpse into the history and life of Mahalia Jackson could hook kids on history or biography. Jackson’s strength of character and unwavering focus should be an inspiration to today’s readers.”
“All children should read as many biographies as possible. This book portrays Mahalia as a real child growing up in poverty in the South. It shows her strength to persevere in her desire to sing only Gospel music. She ends up singing for presidents and for Martin Luther King. Her story is a model for young African-Americans. It is a small hardbound book with large print, a perfect size for this age level. I would recommend the purchase of this book for all elementary libraries.”
“Focusing on the early life of gospel singer Mahalia Jackson, the book is written in an engaging style and includes her early experiences growing up in the South.”
“[The Young Patriots series] is...an outstanding contribution to children’s literature. Patria Press has successfully reintroduced America’s past with this fine series for children.”
“Mahalia moved from poverty to fame and success, singing for royalty, presidents and Martin Luther King Jr., but she did it in her own time, and in her own special way. A wonderfully inspiring story.”
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