When Marian Sang: The True Recital of Marian Anderson

Children's Literature Legacy Award Winner

A harmonious introduction to one of our country's most important singers and role models--as envisioned by Newbery Honoree Pam Muñoz Ryan and Caldecott Medalist Brian Selznick.

Marian Anderson is best known for her historic concert at the Lincoln Memorial in 1939, which drew an integrated crowd of 75,000 people in pre-Civil Rights America. While this momentous event showcased the uniqueness of her voice, the strength of her character, and the struggles of the times in which she lived, it is only part of her story. Like the operatic arias Marian would come to sing, Ryan's text is as moving as a libretto, and Selznick's pictures as exquisitely detailed and elaborately designed as a stage set. What emerges most profoundly from their shared vision is a role model of courage.

Author: Pam Muñoz Ryan
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Published: 10/01/2002
Pages: 40
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 1.30lbs
Size: 10.10h x 12.00w x 0.50d
ISBN: 9780439269674
Audience: Ages 4-8

Accelerated Reader:
Reading Level: 5.2
Point Value: 0.5
Interest Level: Middle Grade
Quiz #/Name: 64311 / When Marian Sang


Award: Bluebonnet Awards - Nominee
Award: Bookseller's Choice - Winner
Award: Parents Choice Award (Fall) (1998-2007) - Winner
Award: North Carolina Children's Book Award - Nominee
Award: Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Award - Honor Book
Award: James Madison Book - Honor Book
Award: Red Clover Award - Nominee
Award: Monarch Award - Nominee
Award: Charlotte Award - Nominee
Award: Black-Eyed Susan Award - Nominee
Award: Jefferson Cup - Notable
Award: Land of Enchantment Book Award - Nominee
Award: Orbis Pictus Award - Winner
Award: Children's Book Committee Award - Winner
Award: Rhode Island Children's Book Awards - Nominee


Review Citation(s):
Kirkus Review - Children 09/01/2002 pg. 1319
Publishers Weekly 10/07/2002 pg. 73
Booksense '76 Childrens Wtr 02 11/01/2002 pg. 1
Horn Book Magazine 11/01/2002 pg. 780
School Library Journal 11/01/2002 pg. 147
Bulletin of Ctr for Child Bks 12/01/2002 pg. 172
USA Today 12/04/2002 pg. 1
Booklist 11/15/2002 pg. 603
BookPage 01/01/2003 pg. 29
Christian Home & School 01/01/2003 pg. 26
Booklist Ed Choice Youth 01/01/2003 pg. 799
New York Times 02/09/2003 pg. 20
Booklist 02/15/2003 pg. 1083
ALA Notable Children's Books 03/15/2003 pg. 1308
Hornbook Guide to Children 07/01/2002 pg. 180 - Recommended, Satisfactory
Booklist 06/01/2003 pg. 1793
Booklist 11/01/2003 pg. 512
Hornbook Guide to Children 01/01/2003 pg. 180 - Recommended, Satisfactory
School Library Journal 10/01/2004

About the Author

Pam Muñoz Ryan is the recipient of the NEA's Human and Civil Rights Award, the PEN Center USA Award, and the 2024 Children's Literature Legacy Award for her body of work. She was the 2018 US nominee for the international Hans Christian Andersen Award. She received a Newbery Honor Medal and the Kirkus Prize for her New York Times bestselling novel, Echo. Her other celebrated novels, Esperanza Rising, The Dreamer, Riding Freedom, Becoming Naomi León, Paint the Wind, and Mañanaland, have received countless accolades, among them the Pura Belpré Award, the Jane Addams Children's Book Award, and the Américas Award. Her acclaimed picture books include Amelia and Eleanor Go for a Ride and the Sibert Honor book When Marian Sang, both illustrated by Brian Selznick, Mice and Beans illustrated by Joe Cepeda, and Tony Baloney illustrated by Edwin Fotheringham, as well as a beginning reader series featuring Tony Baloney. Ryan lives near San Diego, California, with her family.

Brian Selznick's books have sold millions of copies, garnered countless awards worldwide, and been translated into more than 35 languages. He broke open the novel form with his innovative and genre-defying thematic trilogy, beginning with the Caldecott Medal-winning #1 New York Times bestseller The Invention of Hugo Cabret, adapted into Martin Scorsese's Oscar-winning movie Hugo. He followed that with the #1 New York Times bestseller, Wonderstruck, adapted into the eponymous movie by celebrated filmmaker Todd Haynes, with a screenplay by Selznick, and the New York Times bestseller, The Marvels. Selznick's two most recent books for young people, Baby Monkey, Private Eye, an ALA Notable Book co-written with his husband David Serlin, and Kaleidoscope, a New York Times Notable Children's Book of 2021, were both New York Times bestsellers as well. He also illustrated the 20th anniversary edition covers of J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series. Selznick and Serlin divide their time between Brooklyn, New York and La Jolla, California. Learn more at thebrianselznick.com and mediaroom.scholastic.com/brianselznick.