This powerful book uses the evolution of the titular protest song to trace the history of slavery, segregation, and the civil rights movement in the U.S. d beyond. The free-verse narrative adopts the rousing tones of African American preachers and leaders: "Back in slavery times when enslaved people worked long days / with no pay and no say, / no freedom, no fairness, / no choice and no chance the people sang." Meanwhile, the bold typeface rising over the slaves' heads depicts early versions of the lyrics. The narrative then shifts to the Civil War, lunch counter boycotts, the march on Washington, and so on. The digital and mixed-media artwork showcase important crises in slavery, segregation, and the civil rights movement, all the way up to the inauguration of President Obama. Most intriguingly, the book concludes by showing how countries all over the world have adopted the song for their own freedom struggles. An innovative capturing of history through the lens of a song and a passionate affirmation of human rights.

A simple story explains how this rallying song for freedom became the watchword for the civil rights movement in the United States, and from there to countries around the world struggling with human rights issues. Lively digital and mixed-media illustrations convey a joyous mood. Although "No single day marks the birth of the song...", a timeline of highlights is included. Reading list, websites.

The power of song to bolster courage, combat bigotry, and effect change courses through this dramatization of the civil rights movement. The lyrics to several variations of -We Shall Overcome- serve as a backdrop to Levy-s fluid free verse, which opens -Back in slavery times- as slaves sang -to soothe the hurt, to fight the cruelty.- Levy (The Year of Goodbyes) moves quickly through the Civil War to the mid-20th century, when African-Americans began protesting -unfairness, hate, and violence,- and -brought a church song, -I Will Overcome,- to the streets.- (-We- soon replaced -I.-) The Freedom Singers- national tour, the 1963 March on Washington, and President Johnson-s televised 1965 speech evoking the song-s message and words are among the pivotal events mentioned. Brantley-Newton (Let Freedom Sing) counterbalances the stark inequalities Levy highlights with brightly colored collagelike images that portray Americans of all colors standing and singing together. A timeline follows the evolution of -We Shall Overcome,- citing its role in specific protests, to close out this enlightening and inspiring book. Ages 5-up. Author-s agent: Caryn Wiseman, Andrea Brown Literary Agency. Illustrator-s agent: Lori Nowicki, Painted Words. (Dec.)

Gr 1-4 Beginning in slavery times, this "story of a song" moves through the Civil Rights Movement up to present day. As protests mounted in the mid-1940s, the song "I Will Overcome" was changed to "We Will Overcome" to reflect the protesters' working together. Folk singer Pete Seeger changed the "will" to "shall" and sang the song for Martin Luther King, Jr. In the early 1960s, the Freedom Singers traveled 50,000 miles across the country, singing "We Shall Overcome" and bringing a message of hope to all who listened. Laws were passed and things began to slowly change. President Lyndon Johnson quoted the lyrics in a televised speech. The song was heard in South Africa and then many other countries. Those struggling and working toward a better life embraced it and the message it brought. "We will live in peace, We will live in peace some day." The time line at the end of the book chronicles the life of the song, explaining it and some of the illustrations in greater detail. Extensive source notes include Internet sites where the song can be heard and suggestions for further reading. The colorful, mixed-media, collage illustrations are detailed and beautiful, giving more life to the words of this historic and inspiring anthem. The art appears on full spreads with phrases from the song in large print above or below the text. This handsome book will be highly useful for classroom and family discussions. Sara-Jo Lupo Sites, George F. Johnson Memorial Library, Endicott, NY