A Voice Named Aretha

November 4, 2019
Shades of purple and gold predominate in this laudatory picture book biography of the Queen of Soul. Tracing Aretha Franklin’s life from her 1940s–’50s childhood in Detroit, singing as part of her pastor father C.L. Franklin’s “Gospel Caravan,” to performing for President Barack Obama (pictured, but not named), it covers the major moments in the life and career of this musical legend—the death of her mother, her first church solo, the years of work and performance before she had a hit, and her eventual stratospheric success. Franklin’s ongoing support of civil rights is a recurring theme: “Aretha sang only where people of all races could attend” and she “performed in lots of concerts to raise money for civil rights groups.” Freeman’s clear, crisp illustrations add welcome vibrancy to the text’s straightforward narrative style. Additional biographical information and extensive notes from the author and illustrator are included. Ages 4–8.

Starred review from December 1, 2019

Gr 1-2-Shy young Aretha Franklin found her voice singing in the choir at her father's Detroit church. An early family tragedy taught her to draw strength from her sadness and use her talent to inspire and empower those around her, like the civil rights icons of her generation. Franklin's power shines through lush illustrations in bold, royal colors. In one scene, the singer is dressed in a sunshine yellow dress. President Obama wipes away a tear as he listens to Franklin. A sense of time and place are evoked with striking choices in hair and dress, visually emphasizing her indelible place in American culture. The text effectively describes the singer's ties to the civil rights movement and spotlights her importance as an enduring symbol of hope. VERDICT This richly detailed look at the Queen of Soul is an essential biography of an American icon.-Savannah Kitchens, Parnell Memorial Library, Montevallo, AL

Copyright 2019 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Starred review from December 1, 2019
"Queen of Soul" Aretha Franklin was once a shy child afraid to sing in front of a large audience. However, she came to learn that through music, she could ease her own pain and help others. This thoughtfully illustrated biography of Aretha Franklin paints a clear picture of the artist from the time she was a child grappling with the loss of her mother in 1952 through refusing to sing before segregated audiences during the 1960s to winning multiple awards and honors. The narrative covers Aretha's introduction to entertainers like Nat King Cole and Ella Fitzgerald as well as to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.--all were often visitors of her father, famed preacher C.L. Franklin, at their Detroit, Michigan, home. The book moves fluidly through one phase of Aretha's life and career to the next. The illustrations are vivid, and those of Aretha singing are full of emotion. Aretha is often dressed in gold to signify her queenly stature, and Freeman hides small crowns throughout the pages, often on Aretha herself. The final spread, featuring four overlapping, sequential images of Aretha Franklin at different stages in her music career against a white background, is especially well done and even moving. The backmatter begins with a two-page spread of photographs and more information about Aretha's life; it's followed by a list of songs that younger listeners can look up and hear for themselves. An excellent introduction to an American icon. (Picture book/biography. 4-8)

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November 1, 2019
Grades 1-3 This beautifully illustrated look at the life of the world-renowned Queen of Soul is a sensational introduction for young readers to the artist's life and body of work. Starting with Franklin's beginnings as a choir member and soloist at her father's church in Detroit, Russell-Brown (Little Melba and Her Big Trombone, 2014) highlights how a religious upbringing and ties to the burgeoning American civil rights movement influenced her trajectory as a singer and an icon. While Franklin's sadness over the loss of her mother is discussed, mention of her depression, drug use, and marital woes are largely avoided. Thankfully, Freeman's (Hidden Figures, 2018) interpretations of Franklin's various sartorial ensembles serve to move the story from decade to decade and will be instantly recognizable to fans. An excellent addition to children's biography collections, pair with Ren�e Watson's Harlem's Little Blackbird (2012), Patricia Hruby Powell's Josephine (2014), and Andrea Davis Pinkney's Rhythm Ride (2015) for more tales of historical Black musical excellence.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2019, American Library Association.)