This book is about a young African-American girl name Mahalia Jackson. Mahalia's mother dies at a very young age. Mahalia then becomes entirely devoted to taking care of her father. Mahalia is a very creative girl. She makes a mattress out of cotton sacks with corn husks and moss for filling. Mahalia faces many racial differences and learns to live with and overcome segregation. The book depicts her young life and follows some of her adult life upto when she is first recognized as a gospel singer. The remainder of the book talks of her encounter with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and her fight for Civil Rights for the African-American people.
I enjoyed this book because once again it starts out with an obstacle that is overcome.
This book can be used to talk about famous people in Black history, draw a picture of Mahalia Jackson, and have the children bring something they invented for show and tell. ( )