1. When Marian Sang

Title: When Marian Sang
Author: Pam Muñoz Ryan
Illustrator: Brian Selznick
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Copyright Date: October 2002
Number of Pages: 34
Reading Level: 3-11yrs
Genre: Biography

Summary
The book begins by painting a picture of a small loving home that is filled with music. Everyone sings but Marian has a voice that is deemed extraordinary. She was then noticed by those in her church and community and put into the celebrated People’s Chorus. Her father didn’t want her to get taken advantage of so he was very protective. Marian waited until she was eighteen before she tried to apply for a music school but she was turned away because she was black. After seeing n opera at the Metropolitan Opera she decided that the stage was her ultimate goal no matter how far away that goal was. She traveled to many places to sing for whites and blacks but she wouldn’t be able to find accommodations afterward because she was Negro. Marian finally got an audition with a famous master teacher named Boghetti. He announced after she arrived that he wouldn’t see anybody else, he simply didn’t have the room but Marian began to sing and he was astonished. She traveled to Europe to sing more openly there and was welcomed warmly by all races. When Marian returned home she could not get any place to let her sing. Finally after many refusals President Roosevelt approved an invite to Marian to sing on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial on Easter Sunday. Later Marian got the opportunity to sing in the opera and her dreams were finally realized.

Recommendation
I would recommend this to anyone. It’s good for adults as well as children because it tells about a part of history that many would like to forget. I think it helps teach an important message of no matter race, financial situation, or rank people are gifted and special. There is no reason to dismiss someone’s talents because of such criteria.

Problems/Conflicts
Racism is always a sensitive subject. No one likes to be known for his or her racist history. This book does not give many redeeming qualities to the white American of the time. It also brings up the controversial issue of why people are treated so badly because of skin color.
Also being a faithful, devout Christian and voicing that along with lyrics to songs could cause controversy to those who do not believe there is a God or whether God should be in books at all.

My Reaction
I really enjoyed this book because it showed a determined and gifted woman rise against adversity to reach her goals. I was also impressed that it showed she was uncertain of what her role should be concerning her race and what kind of stance she should take toward civil rights.