Description
The stunning voice and hard life of legendary jazz singer Billie Holiday is revealed through evocative, accessible poetry. In 1915, Sadie Fagan gave birth to a daughter she named Eleanora. The world, however, would know her as Billie Holiday, possibly the greatest jazz singer of all time. Eleanora's journey to become a legend took her through pain, poverty, and run-ins with the law. By the time she was fifteen, she knew she possessed something that could possibly change her life--a voice. Eleanora could sing. Her remarkable voice led her to a place in the spotlight with some of the era's hottest big bands. Through a sequence of raw and poignant poems, New York Times best-selling and award-winning poet Carole Boston Weatherford chronicles the singer's young life, her fight for survival, and the dream she pursued with passion.
About the Author
New York Times best-selling author Carole Boston Weatherford's 50-plus books include the three Caldecott Honor winners: FREEDOM IN CONGO SQUARE: Voice of Freedom; FANNIE LOU HAMER: Spirit of the Civil Rights Movement; and MOSES: When Harriett Tubman Let Her People to Freedom. She won a Coretta Scott King Author Honor for BECOMING BILLIE HOLIDAY.
Reviews
"The poetry is rich and evocative. . . . A remarkable tribute well worthy of its subject." -Kirkus Reviews, starred review
"Readers will find a generous assortment of recommended reading and listening at the end of this proud, clear-voiced testimonial." -Booklist
"[Weatherford] captures the woman's jazzy, candid voice so adroitly that at times the poems seem like they could have been lifted wholesale from Holiday's autobiography, Lady Sings the Blues. . . . This captivating title places readers solidly into Holiday's world, and is suitable for independent reading as well as a variety of classroom uses." -School Library Journal, starred review
Book Information
ISBN 9781635925579
Author C Weatherford
Format Paperback
Page Count 120
Imprint Wordsong
Publisher Astra Publishing House
Weight(grams) 360g
Dimensions(mm) 239mm * 170mm * 8mm
About the Author
New York Times best-selling author Carole Boston Weatherford's 50-plus books include the three Caldecott Honor winners: FREEDOM IN CONGO SQUARE: Voice of Freedom; FANNIE LOU HAMER: Spirit of the Civil Rights Movement; and MOSES: When Harriett Tubman Let Her People to Freedom. She won a Coretta Scott King Author Honor for BECOMING BILLIE HOLIDAY.
Reviews
"The poetry is rich and evocative. . . . A remarkable tribute well worthy of its subject." -Kirkus Reviews, starred review
"Readers will find a generous assortment of recommended reading and listening at the end of this proud, clear-voiced testimonial." -Booklist
"[Weatherford] captures the woman's jazzy, candid voice so adroitly that at times the poems seem like they could have been lifted wholesale from Holiday's autobiography, Lady Sings the Blues. . . . This captivating title places readers solidly into Holiday's world, and is suitable for independent reading as well as a variety of classroom uses." -School Library Journal, starred review
Book Information
ISBN 9781635925579
Author C Weatherford
Format Paperback
Page Count 120
Imprint Wordsong
Publisher Astra Publishing House
Weight(grams) 360g
Dimensions(mm) 239mm * 170mm * 8mm
