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She Persisted: Marian Anderson

Part of She Persisted

Author Katheryn Russell-Brown, Chelsea Clinton

Illustrated by Alexandra Boiger, Gillian Flint

Paperback

$5.99 US

Penguin Young Readers | Philomel Books

5.31"W x 7.63"H x 0.24"D | 3 oz | 48 per carton

On sale Jun 07, 2022 | 80 Pages | 9780593403785

Age 6-9 years

Reading Level: Fountas & Pinnell S

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Inspired by the #1 New York Times bestseller She Persisted by Chelsea Clinton and Alexandra Boiger, a chapter book series about women who spoke up and rose up against the odds--including Marian Anderson!

When renowned classical singer Marian Anderson wasn't allowed to sing at a theater in Washington, DC, because she was Black, First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt invited her to sing at the Lincoln Memorial, at a concert attended by thousands of people. Marian went on to sing around the world on behalf of the UN and the US State Department, and as a part of the Civil Rights Movement, she also performed at the March on Washington. She went on to win many awards, including the first ever Presidential Medal of Freedom and a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award--and she inspired countless people along the way.

In this chapter book biography by award-winning author Katheryn Russell-Brown, readers learn about the amazing life of Marian Anderson--and how she persisted.

Complete with an introduction from Chelsea Clinton, black-and-white illustrations throughout, and a list of ways that readers can follow in Marian Anderson's footsteps and make a difference! A perfect choice for kids who love learning and teachers who want to bring inspiring women into their curriculum.

And don’t miss out on the rest of the books in the She Persisted series, featuring so many more women who persisted, including Coretta Scott King, Harriet Tubman, Ruby Bridges, and more!

Katheryn Russell-Brown View titles by Katheryn Russell-Brown

Chelsea Clinton is the author of the #1 New York Times bestseller She Persisted: 13 American Women Who Changed the World; She Persisted Around the World: 13 Women Who Changed History; She Persisted in Sports: American Olympians Who Changed the Game; She Persisted in Science: Brilliant Women Who Made a Difference; Don't Let Them Disappear: 12 Endangered Species Across the Globe; Welcome to the Big Kids Club; It's Your World: Get Informed, Get Inspired & Get Going!; Start Now!: You Can Make a Difference; with Hillary Clinton, Grandma's Gardens and Gutsy Women; and, with Devi Sridhar, Governing Global Health: Who Runs the World and Why? She is also the Vice Chair of the Clinton Foundation, where she works on many initiatives, including those that help empower the next generation of leaders. She lives in New York City with her husband, Marc, and their children. You can follow Chelsea Clinton on Twitter @ChelseaClinton or on Facebook at facebook.com/ChelseaClinton. View titles by Chelsea Clinton

Alexandra Boiger (AlexandraBoiger.com) has illustrated nearly twenty picture books, including the She Persisted series by by Chelsea Clinton; the popular Tallulah series by Marilyn Singer; and the Max and Marla books, which she also wrote. Originally from Munich, Germany, she now lives outside of San Francisco, California, with her husband, Andrea; daughter, Vanessa; and two cats, Luiso and Winter. You can follow Alexandra on Instagram @alexandra_boiger. View titles by Alexandra Boiger

Gillian Flint View titles by Gillian Flint

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Dear Reader,

As Sally Ride and Marian Wright Edelman both powerfully said, “You can’t be what you can’t see.” When Sally Ride said that, she meant that it was hard to dream of being an astronaut, like she was, or a doctor or an athlete or anything at all if you didn’t see someone like you who already had lived that dream. She especially was talking about seeing women in jobs that historically were held by men.

I wrote the first She Persisted and the books that came after it because I wanted young girls—and children of all genders—to see women who worked hard to live their dreams. And I wanted all of us to see examples of persistence in the face of different challenges to help inspire us in our own lives.

I’m so thrilled now to partner with a sisterhood of writers to bring longer, more in-depth versions of these stories of women’s persistence and achievement to readers. I hope you enjoy these chapter books as much as I do and find them inspiring and empowering.

And remember: If anyone ever tells you no, if anyone ever says your voice isn’t important or your dreams are too big, remember these women. They persisted and so should you.

Warmly,
Chelsea Clinton

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Chapter 1: A Community of Music
Chapter 2: Finishing School
Chapter 3: World Travels
Chapter 4: Marian Sings
Chapter 5: New Experiences
Chapter 6: Growing Legacies
How You Can Persist
References

Chapter 1
A Community of Music

Along, long time ago, it was common for some mothers to deliver their babies at home. On February 27, 1897, Marian Elina-Blanche Anderson was born in a room in a house on Webster St. in South Philadelphia. Marian was Anna and John Anderson’s first child. Then came Alyse, and next was Ethel.

Marian’s parents worked hard to keep a roof over their heads. John worked in the refrigerator room at the Reading Terminal Market. He also sold ice and coal. Besides taking care of her three girls, Anna was a seamstress and she did other folks’ laundry. Marian always looked forward to her dad coming home from work—especially on those Fridays when he brought pound cake!

Early on, Marian showed an interest in music. Before she turned two, she would sit at her toy piano, hit the keys, and make up songs. She loved hearing and making sounds with or without an instrument. Anna said Marian could stay busy for an hour clapping her hands, stomping her feet, and singing—lala-lala-la! Marian was delighted with all the different sounds she could make.

Marian couldn’t help but love music. It was everywhere. At home, Anna and John sang hymns around the house, and the family sang songs together after dinner. After Marian’s daddy bought a used piano, she would sit next to him on the bench and practice the scales. Sometimes he let Marian think she was teaching him how to play.

Just going outside was a musical adventure. One day when she was about eight years old, Marian went on an errand for her mother and heard a piano playing. She followed the sounds of the tinkling melody up some steps, and there she saw a woman in the window, hands on the piano keys, making beautiful music. The woman was brown, like Marian. Hmmm, Marian thought, If she can, I can.

Music was at school, too—in music class. And when other students had their music lessons in a nearby classroom, she could hear them singing through the walls. She was mesmerized. The sound of their voices was a sweet inspiration for young Marian, who sang along quietly. When she heard the singing, Marian no longer heard what her teacher was saying.

Music embraced Marian like a cozy blanket on a chilly night.

Copyright © 2022 by Katheryn Russel-Brown with introduction by Chelsea Clinton; illustrated by Alexandra Boiger and Gillian Flint. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.

Praise for She Persisted: Marian Anderson:

"This biography showcases the life of an extremely talented American, while realistically addressing the discrimination she faced during her lifetime. A solid addition to any collection." –School Library Journal

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