How can we keep from singing? "Freedom Song is a beautiful and accessible history of the American civil rights and South African anti-apartheid movement, and how both have been reflected in song and the lives of the members of the Chicago Children's Choir."

Listen to excerpts from this album.

Reach And Teach says: We knew this book and music CD were coming out in January, 2009 and had been anxiously awaiting it since we saw the first gally proofs about a year ago. Who would have thought that this book would land in our store the week before the first African-American president of the United States would be elected..... AND, that the music would be sung by a choir from his home turf - Chicago! It doesn't get better than this. We sat in our office absolutely enthralled with the music and thumbing through the amazing pages of this book. Absolutely wonderful! Magic.

YouTube of Chicago Childrens Choir (only the first song they sing on this video is on the music CD but this gives you a great flavor for the incredibly moving performances of this choir).

Description: "The Civil Rights movement was the singingest movement I've ever known. . . . I'm not the only one who believes that songs may save this human race." —Pete Seeger

"Provides a fresh perspective on the civil rights movement." —Skipping Stones

Melding memorable music and inspiring history, Freedom Song presents a fresh perspective on the civil rights movement by showing how songs of hope, faith, and freedom strengthened the movement and served as its voice. In this eye-opening account, you’ll discover how churches and other groups—from the SNCC Freedom Singers to the Chicago Children’s Choir—transformed music both religious and secular into electrifying anthems that furthered the struggle for civil rights.

From rallies to marches to mass meetings, music was ever-present in the movement. People sang songs to give themselves courage and determination, to spread their message to others, to console each other as they sat in jail. The music they shared took many different forms, including traditional spirituals once sung by slaves, jazz and blues music, and gospel, folk, and pop songs. Freedom Song explores in detail the galvanizing roles of numerous songs, including “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” “The Battle of Jericho,” “Wade in the Water,” and “We Shall Overcome.”

As Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King Jr., and many others took a stand against prejudice and segregation, a Chicago minister named Chris Moore started a children’s choir that embraced the spirit of the civil rights movement and brought young people of different races together, young people who lent their voices to support African Americans struggling for racial equality. More than 50 years later, the Chicago Children’s Choir continues its commitment to freedom and justice. An accompanying CD, Songs on the Road to Freedom, featuresthe CCC performing the songs discussed throughout the book.

About the Author:

Mary C. Turck is the author of The Civil Rights Movement for Kids and Mexico & Central America: A Fiesta of Cultures, Crafts, and Activities. She is the editor of the Twin Cities Daily Planet and former editor of the award-winning Connection to the Americas.

Details:

Published December 2008 - 160 pages - Ages 8 and up (although all ages will enjoy and learn from the music)

Reviews:

School Library Journal

Gr 7 Up

Many books have been written about the Civil Rights Movement, but this one, with its unique focus, adds a new and captivating facet to the subject. Its premise is that music was the universal link that bound together the young and old, black and white as one, with a singular purpose: to seek equality and justice for all. The book is divided into chapters that represent the history of the Civil Rights Movement. "Sunday of Song," "Singing in the Churches," and "South Africa," for example, contain information about the factual events while including how the evolution of the music captured the mood and sentiment of the time. The importance of music in the lives of African Americans is described in depth: the instruments used; the types of songs, including field hollers, spirituals, gospel, and protest music, are examined for their impact on the movement in the past and up to the present day. The many clear, black-and-white photos give readers a real sense of the determination and courage that was shown. Images of the musicians and singers such as Woody Guthrie and Billie Holiday are shown alongside the songs they wrote. The accompanying CD allows students to internalize the words and their emotional impact as they listen. Overall, this informative and well-written book is an excellent addition to any collection.-Margaret Auguste, Franklin Middle School, Somerset, NJ

Kirkus Reviews

From the introduction, it seems that this will be the story of the Chicago Children's Choir, a world-renowned choir inspired by the civil-rights movement and committed to excellence, racial equality and social justice. However, the story of the choir is swamped by the in-depth coverage of the civil-rights movement. Though eloquently written, with song lyrics and well-chosen photographs breaking up the text, the volume misses an opportunity to tell the story from a fresh perspective. Still, Turck does a fine job of reminding readers about several important issues: "Segregation in the South was enforced by law. Segregation in the North was enforced by simple racism"; the civil-rights movement is not over, but continues today through the struggles by gay people, immigrants, students and many people around the world; African-Americans have struggled for civil rights since the days of slavery. An accompanying CD will inspire readers to learn more about how music went hand-in-hand with the struggle, and a wealth of websites, music and videos is listed in the bibliography. (song appendix, notes on the CD) (Nonfiction. 9 & up)