Voice of Freedom: Fannie Lou Hamer: The Spirit of the Civil Rights Movement
$14.89
Specification: Voice of Freedom: Fannie Lou Hamer: The Spirit of the Civil Rights Movement
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26 reviews for Voice of Freedom: Fannie Lou Hamer: The Spirit of the Civil Rights Movement
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Voice of Freedom: Fannie Lou Hamer: The Spirit of the Civil Rights Movement
$14.89
Janet Hamilton –
Summary: Fannie Lou Hamer’s story is told in her own poetic voice, illustrated with collage renderings of events throughout her life. Born in the Mississippi delta, the youngest of 20 children, Fannie Lou had to drop out of school after sixth grade to work in the cotton fields. She married Perry Hamer and adopted two daughters after being tricked into having an operation to prevent her from being able to have children. In 1962, she attended her first voter registration meeting, unaware that blacks even had the right to vote. Within the year she was deeply involved in the Civil Rights Movement, losing her job and her home as a result. Imprisoned and badly beaten, she refused to give up her work, eventually becoming a national spokesperson for the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee and addressing the 1964 Democratic National Convention about voter discrimination. Fannie Lou also worked to improve conditions in Mississippi, organizing cotton pickers and starting a Head Start program. She died in 1977. An author’s note, timeline, and bibliography are included. 56 pages; grades 5-8.Pros: A powerful story about a poor, uneducated woman who was able to make a difference on a national level. The poetic text perfectly captures Hamer’s voice, and is complemented by the large, colorful illustrations.Cons: There’s a lot of information here, and even older students may need some historical context to understand all of Hamer’s contributions.
Patty –
Great reading!
ND IRISH MATT –
Fantastic book celebrating the life of a very important woman. Should be read by all ages.
C. Lin –
This incredible book has helped me teach my white daughter about the horror of Jim Crow, the resiliency of the human spirit and how the bravery of one person can help change the world. Fanny Lou Hamer’s life story is told in short, very touching vingnets that perfectly show what it was like to live in poverty as a share cropper and blaze trails in the civil rights movement. Each story is illustrated with beauty and emotion. Whether or not you have ever heard of Fanny Lou Hamer, buy this book for yourself, a child, a teacher, a parent. As a parent and teacher myself, this book is the new standard for teaching history, empathy, and social activism.
CM Reader –
This is one of the best nonfiction picture books I’ve ever read. I love the way the author has told Fannie Lou Hamer’s story through free verse poetry. She also has done a remarkable job of conveying these poems in the voice of Ms Hamer. It’s a beautifully told tale of an important figure in civil rights, someone more people should know about. HIghly recommended for all ages.
Dione Basseri –
A Civil Rights story focusing on one of the figures lucky enough to not only survive, but thrive. Fannie Lou Hamer went from being the daughter of sharecroppers billed by their landlord into what was basically slavery. She died a congresswoman and continued fighter for equal rights.While this story doesn’t end in a tragic death, it also doesn’t pull punches. One of the beatings Hamer suffered while imprisoned during her activist years is portrayed point-blank, her hands trying to cover her face from the kicks of her abusers. And, while the medical side isn’t shown, the story of her forced reproductive sterilization is told, which is going to need some explaining to your young listeners.Obviously, this is not a book you can hand to your kids and then go about your own chores. This is a sit-together, long discussion sort of read. But it is especially worth it, and a perfect book to read in response to the terrible racial injustice of today. This shows that equal rights is a process, but a process that is, at least, progressing, and can progress further with out help.
Jean Marrapodi –
Reality can be hard. Fannie Lou Hammer was a great voice for the Civil Rights Movement, but her early life was hard. This presents reality. This book will lead to some interesting discussions about racism so the adult must be sure the children are prepped for this. It’s an important lesson to see how she rose up and conquered racism in her life.
Monarch –
I’ve always admired Fannie and it’s wonderful to see this book and to be able to share her life with my students.
DLTS – HCC –
Excellent
Kevin Woodhouse –
A gift.
A. J. –
The illustrations are divine!
Taron Henton –
This was an excellent book to add to my bookshelf. The illustrations were great and Fannie Lou Hamer’s words are powerful, yet plain enough for its intended audience. I bought a friend of mine this book as a gift !
KatherineC –
I can’t say enough good things about this book. The artwork is breathtaking, the parts that may he upsetting for younger children are told in a sensitive age-appropriate way, and best of all, much of the story is told through Hamer’s own words. I bought this for the young girl I tutor and she loved it; I also bought it for an older friend who was unfamiliar with Hamer, and it spurred her to learn more about the Civil Rights Movement. I would recommend this book to literally anyone of any age.
ck –
Excellent book it has very detailed information on Fannie Lou Hamer’s life. The illustrations are vibrant. Lovely!
Betty Stallings –
These were donated to the schools and the children loved them.
A. Schauer –
This is a wonderful book , and a real book. As another reviewer wrote, for younger children it should be read with a trusted adult. Even little bit of this book is pretty hard hitting. I highly recommend it , if it is read with adults or older children who can help process the difficult things that happened in Fanny Lou’s life and times. Everyone should know these things.
Karima Amin –
Beautiful book shares a great story. Inspiration to children and adults!
Kevin D. Hendricks –
A great introduction to an incredible spirit in the civil rights movement. Fannie Lou Hamer has such an amazing story—it’s hard to believe the kind of adversity she faced. This picture book gives an overview of her amazing life, complete with some fantastic artwork.
Elayne Crain –
This picture book biography of Fannie Lou Hamer is really extraordinary. Not only was it the debut picture book of illustrator Ekua Holmes (whose work is simply stunning), but it was written by Carole Boston Weatherford in a first-person POV, which–though it’s an unconventional choice and takes adroitness to pull off–Carole (of course) does masterfully. Made up of free-verse poetry, each poem tethers key moments from Fannie’s life with the important (and often hard-to-stomach) context of American history during each time frame.The result is a heartwrenching yet life-affirming book that uses Fannie’s voice in vignettes that showcase her resolute bravery and determined spirit throughout her lifetime.I can’t believe I missed this book until recently (I’m trying to read more PB bios, as they are a weak spot of mine in terms of my reading). I’m so glad it was recommended as part of some coursework I’ve been taking so I could correct that deficiency immediately! Highly recommend it, both in terms of essential subject matter and also in terms of craft!
Reviewer L –
I bought this book back in Nov., so this review is long overdue. It is a beautiful book, and in the capable hands of Carole Boston Weatherford readers are transport back through the life and achievements of Fannie Lou Hamer. Her words are both whimsical and striking. And the illustrations by Ekua Holmes are a perfect compliment to the images Weatherford’s words create.The illustrations are stirring and vibrant and demand to be recognized. It is no wonder that Holmes was awarded a Caldocott honor and the Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe award for New talent for this debut work. It is well deserved. And this picture book biography is a wonderful addition to any bookshelf.
BO –
This book eloquently details the life of Fannie Lou Hamer. It’s illustrated with such rich and beautiful colors.
Wren Roberts –
Great book for kids!
PHD Wally –
Excellent nonfiction book–text and illustrations.
A. Goodrich –
Fantastic biography of Fannie Lou Hamer with beautiful artwork! This should be in every single classroom.
Amazon Customer –
Bought this book for my kiddo for black history month. We enjoyed reading this book.
TDknitz –
This is a book eveery teen needs to read!