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Strange Fruit: Billy Holiday and the Power of a Protest Song
Strange Fruit: Billy Holiday and the Power of a Protest Song
Reviewed by: Jan Hamilton - Little Dolphin School, Scarborough, Southern Maine Library District
Review Date: December 11, 2017
Review
This title highlights parts of Billie Holiday's life, its emphasis is on her singing "Strange Fruit". In her time this song could have gotten her arrested and beat on the street. Holiday felt a strong need to sing about the life situations which Black Americans endured and willingly used her voice to protest. The story is told in limited text and lavishly painted illustrations. Movement is felt across pages and a deep sense of community bounces off the pages. The deep tones used help to express the tenseness of the times.
Add this title where picture book biographies are collected. Share with art and music instructors.
Overall Book Score: good
About the Book
Author:
Golio, Gary
Illustrator: Riley-Webb, Charlotte
Illustration Quality: good
Publisher: Millbrook Press (Lerner)
Book Type: picture book nonfiction
Genre: biography / autobiography
Audience: grades k-3,grades 4-6
Binding Type: trade edition
Binding Quality: good
ISBN: 9781467751230
Price: 19.99