She Raised Her Voice!: 50 Black Women Who Sang Their Way Into Music History

by Jordannah Elizabeth, Briana Dengoue (Illustrator)

Overview

A fully illustrated middle-grade anthology celebrating Black women singers throughout history in a first-of-its-kind collection.

Winner of the 2022 JJA Jazz Awards for Book of Year about Jazz

From jazz and blues, hip hop and R&B, pop, punk, and opera, Black women have made major contributions to the history and formation of musical genres for more than a century. In this fully illustrated middle grade anthology, 50 strong, empowering, and inspiring Black women singers' bios will teach kids to follow their dreams, to think outside the box, and to push the boundaries of what's expected. Written by music writer and journalist Jordannah Elizabeth and illustrated by Briana Dengoue, She Raised Her Voice! will inspire readers to find their voice and their own way of expressing themselves.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780762475148
Publisher:	Running Press Book Publishers
Publication date:	12/28/2021
Sold by:	Hachette Digital, Inc.
Format:	eBook
File size:	68 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.
Age Range:	8 - 12 Years

About the Author

Jordannah Elizabeth is an author, music critic, editor, and lecturer. She is a columnist at New York Amsterdam News and her work has appeared in Ms. Magazine, ZORA, Village Voice, LA Weekly, NPR Music, and many other publications. She has lectured and received invitations as a guest journalist from Harvard University, Pratt Institute, Maryland Institute College of Art, Columbia University, and De Montfort University in Leicester, England. She is a Baltimore native and enjoys reading, travel and spending time with her close friends and family.

Briana Dengoue is a Philadelphia born and based illustrator and graphic designer. She obtained her BFA in Fine Arts from Maryland Institute and College of Art in 2017. When she's not busy creating art she can be found aggressively playing volleyball with a city league or having a good cry or hardy laugh to a movie marathon.

Editorial Reviews

2021-12-16
Black songstresses and vocal stylists and their contributions to musical creation and culture are center stage in this illustrated collective biography.

Each of the 50 biographical sketches is five to six paragraphs long, covers the entire life span of the subject, and includes an epigraphic quote attributed to the singer in question. The revelatory and uplifting narratives span many musical genres, including soul, jazz, hip-hop, rap, reggae, punk rock, electronic music, and more. Altogether, they cover 87 years of music history—the singers’ birth dates range from 1894 to 1981—and illuminate the profound impact Black women have made on social, political, and spiritual life through the power of their voices. While most of the women profiled are African American, a few—like Jamaican reggae chanteuse Rita Marley and Beninese singer/songwriter Angélique Kidjo—represent the wider African diaspora. Signature songs and classic, empowering anthems are analyzed, and Elizabeth provides insight into the personal struggles and societal barriers these divas and doyennes of sound overcame on their journeys to success and self-fulfillment. The brightly hued, minimalist digital illustrations feature bold, three-quarter portraits of the melodists that capture their distinct fashion styles and personalities. The backmatter includes a glossary of music terminology and an index.

A celebratory and informative homage to courageous and pioneering Black female vocalists. (Collective picture-book biography. 8-12)

Kirkus Reviews

The revelatory and uplifting narratives span many musical genres… and illuminate the profound impact Black women have made on social, political, and spiritual life through the power of their voices. A celebratory and informative homage to courageous and pioneering Black female vocalists.”

—Kirkus Reviews

“Elizabeth’s offering of this female awareness is a certified effort in the ongoing struggle for female equality. This is the perfect holiday gift that will forever inspire aspirations.”—New York Amsterdam News

“This is a great reference book about women who have made their mark in the music industry. The pages are packed with interesting biographical information on these incredible women. Great artwork and interesting content make this a great addition for any library. A glossary of music terms is included at the end of the book. (Ages 8-12)”—The Midwest Book Review

From the Publisher