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Voice of Freedom: Fannie Lou Hamer
A stirring collection of poems and spirituals, accompanied by stunning collage illustrations, recollects the life of Fannie Lou Hamer, a champion of equal voting rights.
"I am sick and tired of being sick and tired."
Despite fierce prejudice and abuse, even being beaten to within an inch of her life, Fannie Lou Hamer was a champion of civil rights from the 1950s until her death in 1977. Integral to the Freedom Summer of 1964, Ms. Hamer gave a speech at the Democratic National Convention that, despite President Johnson’s interference, aired on national TV news and spurred the nation to support the Freedom Democrats. Featuring luminous mixed-media art both vibrant and full of intricate detail, Singing for Freedom celebrates Fannie Lou Hamer’s life and legacy with an inspiring message of hope, determination, and strength.
"I am sick and tired of being sick and tired."
Despite fierce prejudice and abuse, even being beaten to within an inch of her life, Fannie Lou Hamer was a champion of civil rights from the 1950s until her death in 1977. Integral to the Freedom Summer of 1964, Ms. Hamer gave a speech at the Democratic National Convention that, despite President Johnson’s interference, aired on national TV news and spurred the nation to support the Freedom Democrats. Featuring luminous mixed-media art both vibrant and full of intricate detail, Singing for Freedom celebrates Fannie Lou Hamer’s life and legacy with an inspiring message of hope, determination, and strength.
56 pages, Hardcover
First published August 4, 2015
About the author
Carole Boston Weatherford
92 books389 followersCarole Boston Weatherford is a children's book author and poet who mines the past for family stories, traditions, and struggles. A number of CAROLE's books tell the stories of African-American historical figures such as Harriet Tubman, Jesse Owens, and Billie Holiday. Other books recount historical events such as the Greensboro Sit-ins and the bombing of the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church in Birmingham. CAROLE's books have received a wide variety of awards, including a Caldecott Honour for “Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People To Freedom”.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 531 reviews
April 13, 2019
This is a powerful account of Frannie Lou Hammer, who I had not heard of. She lived a hard life. She lived through some terrible times and she was a fighter. Her daughter died in her arms outside a hospital because it took so long to get there as hospitals close by wouldn’t take black people. In her young life she went in for a tumor and the doctor removed her reproductive organs due to a law against poor people having kids. This is some horrible abuse.
They did include a slur in this story and I understand that this was normal back then, but if you have to explain it to children, you are teaching that slur. I don’t want it to forget these things happened, and I also don’t want to pass these slurs down either. I guess it’s a conundrum. I spoke with my brother about it and he said we can’t hide the abuse. He encouraged reading this. He says kids have to know that language can be used as a tool of abuse and putting people down. He’s really good explaining this to the kids.
We can’t forget the way people were treated and we must be better as a country in treating all people fairly. I wish I could remember this exactly, but in church, a speaker gave a powerful quote. It’s something like, “when people of privilege experience parity and equality they feel oppressed.” I butched the quote, but I thought the quote was insightful. Anyway.
This is a powerful and strong book. It’s a harsh story and it will hit your kids pretty hard. My kids couldn’t believe some of this stuff happened. Some of the stories in here sickened them and this made them very sad. I didn’t ask them to rate the book.
They did include a slur in this story and I understand that this was normal back then, but if you have to explain it to children, you are teaching that slur. I don’t want it to forget these things happened, and I also don’t want to pass these slurs down either. I guess it’s a conundrum. I spoke with my brother about it and he said we can’t hide the abuse. He encouraged reading this. He says kids have to know that language can be used as a tool of abuse and putting people down. He’s really good explaining this to the kids.
We can’t forget the way people were treated and we must be better as a country in treating all people fairly. I wish I could remember this exactly, but in church, a speaker gave a powerful quote. It’s something like, “when people of privilege experience parity and equality they feel oppressed.” I butched the quote, but I thought the quote was insightful. Anyway.
This is a powerful and strong book. It’s a harsh story and it will hit your kids pretty hard. My kids couldn’t believe some of this stuff happened. Some of the stories in here sickened them and this made them very sad. I didn’t ask them to rate the book.
April 13, 2019
**** Caldecott Honor (2016) ****
I suspect that, despite all the numerous awards and well deserved accolades, Voice of Freedom: Fannie Lou Hamer will be a regularly challenged title for exclusion in schools and libraries, not because of the message it sends, but because of the language it uses.
"...the police told me to shut up... They just kept beating me, the jailers telling me, 'You nigger bitch, we're gonna make you wish you were dead.' Through the pain, I quoted Scripture." -pp.21 The Beating
The two expletive words are used to shock and effectively set the voice and attitude of white power over southern blacks. These words NEED to be in this book and should NOT be expunged, despite any calls to do so.
I suspect that, despite all the numerous awards and well deserved accolades, Voice of Freedom: Fannie Lou Hamer will be a regularly challenged title for exclusion in schools and libraries, not because of the message it sends, but because of the language it uses.
"...the police told me to shut up... They just kept beating me, the jailers telling me, 'You nigger bitch, we're gonna make you wish you were dead.' Through the pain, I quoted Scripture." -pp.21 The Beating
The two expletive words are used to shock and effectively set the voice and attitude of white power over southern blacks. These words NEED to be in this book and should NOT be expunged, despite any calls to do so.
November 29, 2015
Outstanding biography of singer and civil rights activist Fannie Lou Hamer. With bold collage illustrations, her story is told through a series of deeply moving free verse poems that chronicles her life as well as gives insight to the struggles of the civil rights movement. The poems are deeply moving, honest, and authentic, capturing the brutality of the time period. A powerful picture book about a tumultuous period in American history.
December 31, 2015
I'm usually not a fan of biographies with the subject speaking in first person, but this story of the Civil Rights Movement hero from Mississippi is excellent enough to negate that complaint. Weatherford's thoroughly documented narrative is told in verse and beautifully complemented with superb collage illustrations by Ekua Holmes.
March 20, 2016
Powerful verse biography of Fannie Lou Hamer, a Civil Rights activist - beautifully illustrated. Must read/ must purchase!
January 25, 2016
This inspiring and much-needed account of the life of civil rights activist Fannie Lou Hamer is filled with details that will make readers' mouths drop open while also heightening their respect for those who fought so hard for civil rights decades ago. Born in 1917 to sharecroppers, Hamer was the youngest child in a family of 20 children. In a series of moving poems, the author takes readers back in time so that they can learn some of the lessons Hamer learned important life lessons from her mother, was betrayed by a doctor, took a literacy test so she could vote, and became deeply involved in efforts to register voters in the South. Not even a severe beating by police in Winona could keep her from her social activism and running for public office three different times. She also spoke in front of the Democratic National Convention Credentials Committee in 1964 in an effort to make sure black voters were represented. The 22 poems that fill the book's pages vividly attest to the high price paid by this woman who was so determined to make her voice heard as part of the social and legal changes that would eventually sweep the nation. It's almost unimaginable to consider how much courage it must have taken for her to keep on keeping on and to speak up when so many tried to dismiss and silence her. The collage illustrations are extraordinary and filled with life and visual reminders of the times during which Hamer grew up. My favorite one is the very first image showing a young girl surrounded by flowers and plants in lovely hues of yellow and green as well as musical notes. Harsh though her origins may have been in rural Mississippi, those early experiences were formative and likely paved the way for her to question the way things had to be. This book is an important addition to any civil rights collection, especially because it tells a story about someone with which many youngsters may be unfamiliar.
August 17, 2015
In first person poetry, Fannie Lou Hamer tells her life story. The details are vivid and haunting, and she does a nice job of incorporating historical facts alongside her personal reflections.
Collage illustrations are amaaaaaazing; this book is truly a treasure. An author's note, timeline, source notes, selected bibliography, audio recording, and online resources make up the back matter.
I learned so much from reading Fannie Lou Hamer's story. Even readers who are well read in juvenile titles on Civil Rights will take something new away from this story. I can't say enough good about this book; this is a must see/read for grades 3-5+.
Collage illustrations are amaaaaaazing; this book is truly a treasure. An author's note, timeline, source notes, selected bibliography, audio recording, and online resources make up the back matter.
I learned so much from reading Fannie Lou Hamer's story. Even readers who are well read in juvenile titles on Civil Rights will take something new away from this story. I can't say enough good about this book; this is a must see/read for grades 3-5+.
October 23, 2016
• How would you feel if you did not have a say in your life? Personal rights were stolen from you and decisions were made for you. Fannie Lou Hamer would not allow anyone to steal her voice. This book uses poetry to capture your heart and real life situations.
• Teachers may use this for history, Reading lesson, English
• Grades 4-7
• Individual students will enjoy reading this book because it gives them poetry from real life situations
• Small groups may work together to form a poem related to a current event taking place in their community,
• Whole class may read this book together to discuss current events vs history and things that still need to change.
• Caldecott Honor Book and Robert Sibert Honor Book
• This book is available online, eReaders
• Teachers may use this for history, Reading lesson, English
• Grades 4-7
• Individual students will enjoy reading this book because it gives them poetry from real life situations
• Small groups may work together to form a poem related to a current event taking place in their community,
• Whole class may read this book together to discuss current events vs history and things that still need to change.
• Caldecott Honor Book and Robert Sibert Honor Book
• This book is available online, eReaders
June 25, 2018
I didn’t know anything about Fannie Lou Hamer until I read this book. She played an integral role in the civil rights movement and knew many of the major activists. I like the way this story is told in free verse poems and spirituals. Weatherford includes additional information about Hamer as well as a timeline at the end of the book. Here’s another person I wish I could have met. Well deserving of the Sibert and Coretta Scott King Awards, and highly recommended.
August 19, 2015
This biographical picture book is written in verse, singing the life of Fannie Lou Hamer, a woman who was at the heart of the civil rights movement. The book begins with Hamer’s childhood in Mississippi as the youngest of twenty children in a sharecropper family. She grew up working in the cotton fields, seeing it for the slavery that it was. School was only held for four months a year, because the children needed to work in the fields in order for their family to survive. Even in the early part of the 1900s, Hamer was taught that black was beautiful and that she was special. She stayed in the south rather than moving north like her siblings, taking care of her mother and getting married. The in the 1960s, voter registration became an issue and Hamer found herself standing up to the system despite the violence and the threats. She joined the movement for voter rights and starting to use her singing voice to bring people together. Soon she was seen as a leader in the movement, running for office, and speaking out for those who did not have a voice. She is an inspiration for today’s Black Lives Matter movement and youth activism in general.
Weatherford’s writing is gorgeous and the verse she uses to tell Hamer’s story is very effective. She is able to directly talk about racism and violence in her poems, never dancing away from the toughest of subjects. Each poem reads as a call to action, a reason to stand up and make sure civil rights are not being abridged. Even the poem where Hamer is beaten by police and other prisoners rings with strength and power. This is a biography of a woman who was immensely determined and strong. She stood up to the system, risked her own life for change, and used her own skills for the sake of the cause.
Alongside the powerful poetry are equally impressive illustrations. The collage art by Holmes is a mix of paper art and paintings. The illustrations are deep colored and tell the story of oppression and then accomplishment. There are illustrations that take the bright colors of Africa and the 1970s and make the pages blaze while others are dark and somber as violence and death cloud the pages.
Important and powerful, this nonfiction picture book shares the story of a woman vital to the civil rights movement. Appropriate for ages 7-10.
Weatherford’s writing is gorgeous and the verse she uses to tell Hamer’s story is very effective. She is able to directly talk about racism and violence in her poems, never dancing away from the toughest of subjects. Each poem reads as a call to action, a reason to stand up and make sure civil rights are not being abridged. Even the poem where Hamer is beaten by police and other prisoners rings with strength and power. This is a biography of a woman who was immensely determined and strong. She stood up to the system, risked her own life for change, and used her own skills for the sake of the cause.
Alongside the powerful poetry are equally impressive illustrations. The collage art by Holmes is a mix of paper art and paintings. The illustrations are deep colored and tell the story of oppression and then accomplishment. There are illustrations that take the bright colors of Africa and the 1970s and make the pages blaze while others are dark and somber as violence and death cloud the pages.
Important and powerful, this nonfiction picture book shares the story of a woman vital to the civil rights movement. Appropriate for ages 7-10.
April 23, 2017
This much-awarded book is told in the voice of Fannie Lou Hamer herself in a free verse format that includes many actual quotes from Hamer. Most of these quotations come from “An Oral History With Fannie Lou Hamer;” her biography; and her speeches. [The text of many of her speeches can be found here.] As the author explains in a Note at the end of the book, Fannie Lou Hamer was considered “the spirit, or the voice, of the civil rights movement.”
Fannie Lou Hamer (nee Townsend) was born in Mississippi. She came from a family of poor sharecroppers, the youngest of twenty children, and often had to wear rags tied around her feet instead of shoes. In the book, she explains why there were so many kids:
“When I was born, on October 6, 1917, the plantation owner
paid my mother fifty dollars for producing a future field hand.
The money helped my family through the winter.
Chile, I am proof that the Delta birthed the blues.”
Her mother was a strong woman, and taught her daughter that black was beautiful and she deserved respect. She said: “If you respect yourself enough, other people will have to respect you.” Fannie bore this out later in her own life.
In the 1940s she met her husband, Perry "Pap" Hamer, who worked on a neighboring plantation, where they then worked together for eighteen years until she was fired for trying to vote.
In 1961 she went into a hospital to have a small uterine tumor removed; without her knowledge or consent, she was sterilized by a white doctor as a part of the state of Mississippi's plan to reduce the number of poor blacks in the state. [Forced sterilization was so common among African-American women in those days that it became known as a “Mississippi appendectomy.”]
On August 23, 1962, Hamer attended a sermon by Rev. James Bevel, an organizer for the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), who ended his talk with an appeal to those assembled to register to vote.
At the time, only six percent of eligible black citizens in Mississippi were registered. They knew that to register was to place at risk to their job security, personal safety and even their lives.
Nevertheless, Hamer was the first volunteer to register. She later said:
"I guess if I'd had any sense, I'd have been a little scared - but what was the point of being scared? The only thing they could do was kill me, and it kinda seemed like they'd been trying to do that a little bit at a time since I could remember.”
On August 31, 1962, she traveled on a rented bus with other attendees of Bevel's sermon to Indianola, Mississippi, to register. People in the group were scared, and Hamer began to sing hymns to boost their morale. Ms. Hamer failed the test and lost her job for trying. But she discovered her passion, and became a leader and public figure in the civil rights movement. As Mississippi History Now observed:
"Prospective black voters inevitably failed the test, whether they were well-educated or not. Even after several years of effort in Sunflower County, by the spring of 1965 only 155 black people — 1.1 percent of those eligible to vote — were registered, while more than 7,000 whites were registered, or 80 percent of those eligible to vote."
(She studied hard and passed the test the next year, making her one of 28,000 blacks registered in Mississippi out of a total of 422,256 eligible black voters.)
Hamer came to the attention of SNCC organizer Bob Moses, who dispatched someone from the organization with instructions to find "the lady who sings the hymns.” Hamer was recruited by SNCC, and she began traveling around the South doing activist work for the organization. In the book she reports:
“I toured the South with words from my heart
and spirituals I learned at my mother’s knee.
I fired up many a rally.”
On June 9, 1963, Hamer was on her way back from Charleston, South Carolina with other activists from a literacy workshop, and the group was stopped in Winona, Mississippi and arrested on a false charge. In jail, Hamer and her colleagues were beaten savagely by the police, almost to the point of death. It took Hamer over a month to recover from the beating.
Again, she was not deterred nor did she become discouraged or cynical. As Fannie later said, and included as a quote by the author:
“I have lived long enough to know
that no race has a corner on decency.
I feel sorry for anybody that could let hate wrap them up.
Ain’t no such thing as I can hate anybody
and hope to see God’s face.
Out of one blood God made all nations.”
She returned to Mississippi to organize voter registration drives. In the summer of 1964 she helped found the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party, or MFDP, organized to challenge Mississippi's all-white and anti-civil rights delegation to the Democratic National Convention. Hamer was elected Vice-Chair.
In Washington, D.C., President Lyndon Johnson was so reportedly so fearful of the power of Hamer's testimony on live television that he called an “emergency” press conference in an effort to divert press coverage from Hamer. But all he did on it was to announce the nine-month anniversary of the shooting of Texas governor, John Connally, during the assassination of John F. Kennedy. Many television networks then ran Hamer's unedited speech anyway on their late news programs. The Credentials Committee received thousands of calls and letters in support of the “Freedom Democrats.”
Johnson dispatched several Democratic Party operatives to negotiate with the Freedom Democrats, including Senator Hubert Humphrey, to suggest a “compromise” giving the MFDP two non-voting seats in exchange for other concessions. But when Humphrey outlined the compromise to the Credentials Committee, saying that his position on the ticket was at stake, Hamer sharply rebuked him:
"Do you mean to tell me that your position is more important than four hundred thousand black people's lives? Senator Humphrey, I know lots of people in Mississippi who have lost their jobs trying to register to vote. I had to leave the plantation where I worked in Sunflower County, Mississippi. Now if you lose this job of Vice-President because you do what is right, because you help the MFDP, everything will be all right. God will take care of you. But if you take [the nomination] this way, why, you will never be able to do any good for civil rights, for poor people, for peace, or any of those things you talk about. Senator Humphrey, I'm going to pray to Jesus for you."
Hamer's speech to the Committee brought many to tears, and gained her national attention.
At the next convention in 1968, Hamer became the first African American delegate since the post-Civil War Reconstruction period and the first-ever woman delegate from Mississippi. She was seated to a thunderous ovation.
Hamer continued to work for Civil Rights, for women’s rights, and to help feed the poor until she died of complications of heart disease and breast cancer on March 14, 1977. She is buried in her hometown of Ruleville, Mississippi, where her tombstone reads one of her famous quotes, "I am sick and tired of being sick and tired.”
In this book for children, Ekua Holmes does an exceptional job at illustrating this story with colorful textured collages reminiscent of quilts.
Evaluation: Hamer’s amazing courage and persistence in the face of very real and dangerous obstacles will impress and inspire readers who are unaware that as recently as the 1960’s, you could be signing your own death sentence in the South if you even tried to vote. She is a genuine American hero who should not be forgotten. I am so glad to see her story told for children.
Recommended age range: 10-14
Fannie Lou Hamer (nee Townsend) was born in Mississippi. She came from a family of poor sharecroppers, the youngest of twenty children, and often had to wear rags tied around her feet instead of shoes. In the book, she explains why there were so many kids:
“When I was born, on October 6, 1917, the plantation owner
paid my mother fifty dollars for producing a future field hand.
The money helped my family through the winter.
Chile, I am proof that the Delta birthed the blues.”
Her mother was a strong woman, and taught her daughter that black was beautiful and she deserved respect. She said: “If you respect yourself enough, other people will have to respect you.” Fannie bore this out later in her own life.
In the 1940s she met her husband, Perry "Pap" Hamer, who worked on a neighboring plantation, where they then worked together for eighteen years until she was fired for trying to vote.
In 1961 she went into a hospital to have a small uterine tumor removed; without her knowledge or consent, she was sterilized by a white doctor as a part of the state of Mississippi's plan to reduce the number of poor blacks in the state. [Forced sterilization was so common among African-American women in those days that it became known as a “Mississippi appendectomy.”]
On August 23, 1962, Hamer attended a sermon by Rev. James Bevel, an organizer for the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), who ended his talk with an appeal to those assembled to register to vote.
At the time, only six percent of eligible black citizens in Mississippi were registered. They knew that to register was to place at risk to their job security, personal safety and even their lives.
Nevertheless, Hamer was the first volunteer to register. She later said:
"I guess if I'd had any sense, I'd have been a little scared - but what was the point of being scared? The only thing they could do was kill me, and it kinda seemed like they'd been trying to do that a little bit at a time since I could remember.”
On August 31, 1962, she traveled on a rented bus with other attendees of Bevel's sermon to Indianola, Mississippi, to register. People in the group were scared, and Hamer began to sing hymns to boost their morale. Ms. Hamer failed the test and lost her job for trying. But she discovered her passion, and became a leader and public figure in the civil rights movement. As Mississippi History Now observed:
"Prospective black voters inevitably failed the test, whether they were well-educated or not. Even after several years of effort in Sunflower County, by the spring of 1965 only 155 black people — 1.1 percent of those eligible to vote — were registered, while more than 7,000 whites were registered, or 80 percent of those eligible to vote."
(She studied hard and passed the test the next year, making her one of 28,000 blacks registered in Mississippi out of a total of 422,256 eligible black voters.)
Hamer came to the attention of SNCC organizer Bob Moses, who dispatched someone from the organization with instructions to find "the lady who sings the hymns.” Hamer was recruited by SNCC, and she began traveling around the South doing activist work for the organization. In the book she reports:
“I toured the South with words from my heart
and spirituals I learned at my mother’s knee.
I fired up many a rally.”
On June 9, 1963, Hamer was on her way back from Charleston, South Carolina with other activists from a literacy workshop, and the group was stopped in Winona, Mississippi and arrested on a false charge. In jail, Hamer and her colleagues were beaten savagely by the police, almost to the point of death. It took Hamer over a month to recover from the beating.
Again, she was not deterred nor did she become discouraged or cynical. As Fannie later said, and included as a quote by the author:
“I have lived long enough to know
that no race has a corner on decency.
I feel sorry for anybody that could let hate wrap them up.
Ain’t no such thing as I can hate anybody
and hope to see God’s face.
Out of one blood God made all nations.”
She returned to Mississippi to organize voter registration drives. In the summer of 1964 she helped found the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party, or MFDP, organized to challenge Mississippi's all-white and anti-civil rights delegation to the Democratic National Convention. Hamer was elected Vice-Chair.
In Washington, D.C., President Lyndon Johnson was so reportedly so fearful of the power of Hamer's testimony on live television that he called an “emergency” press conference in an effort to divert press coverage from Hamer. But all he did on it was to announce the nine-month anniversary of the shooting of Texas governor, John Connally, during the assassination of John F. Kennedy. Many television networks then ran Hamer's unedited speech anyway on their late news programs. The Credentials Committee received thousands of calls and letters in support of the “Freedom Democrats.”
Johnson dispatched several Democratic Party operatives to negotiate with the Freedom Democrats, including Senator Hubert Humphrey, to suggest a “compromise” giving the MFDP two non-voting seats in exchange for other concessions. But when Humphrey outlined the compromise to the Credentials Committee, saying that his position on the ticket was at stake, Hamer sharply rebuked him:
"Do you mean to tell me that your position is more important than four hundred thousand black people's lives? Senator Humphrey, I know lots of people in Mississippi who have lost their jobs trying to register to vote. I had to leave the plantation where I worked in Sunflower County, Mississippi. Now if you lose this job of Vice-President because you do what is right, because you help the MFDP, everything will be all right. God will take care of you. But if you take [the nomination] this way, why, you will never be able to do any good for civil rights, for poor people, for peace, or any of those things you talk about. Senator Humphrey, I'm going to pray to Jesus for you."
Hamer's speech to the Committee brought many to tears, and gained her national attention.
At the next convention in 1968, Hamer became the first African American delegate since the post-Civil War Reconstruction period and the first-ever woman delegate from Mississippi. She was seated to a thunderous ovation.
Hamer continued to work for Civil Rights, for women’s rights, and to help feed the poor until she died of complications of heart disease and breast cancer on March 14, 1977. She is buried in her hometown of Ruleville, Mississippi, where her tombstone reads one of her famous quotes, "I am sick and tired of being sick and tired.”
In this book for children, Ekua Holmes does an exceptional job at illustrating this story with colorful textured collages reminiscent of quilts.
Evaluation: Hamer’s amazing courage and persistence in the face of very real and dangerous obstacles will impress and inspire readers who are unaware that as recently as the 1960’s, you could be signing your own death sentence in the South if you even tried to vote. She is a genuine American hero who should not be forgotten. I am so glad to see her story told for children.
Recommended age range: 10-14
January 20, 2016
There is a scope in this book that I hadn't imagined. From six years to death, Fannie Lou Hamer worked hard, first for the landowner where her family sharecropped, and then, defying danger, perhaps death, she worked for equal rights, for everyone's rightful place in the world. Those small things shared don't need expansion, but one could by reading more of the books given in the bibliography, or by looking through Carole Weatherford's timeline. Here are some lines that say much in only a few words. Fanny is telling her story.
"When I was born, on October 6, 1917, the plantation owner paid my mother fifty dollars for producing a future field hand." Fannie was the youngest of twenty.
"I was just six when I dragged my first bag down a row of cotton."
"Before I could cast a single vote, I had to pay a poll tax that I couldn't afford--"
"They put us in separate cells and made the other prisoners beat us. Black and Blue." Fanny suffered from these injuries her whole life.
"I called racism America's problem."
"I had always believed: We serve God by serving our fellow man."
There of course is more to the story, more heartbreak and humiliation, almost nothing to celebrate except the strength and courage of this woman, a person I have never heard of until this picture book. The illustrations by Ekua Holmes (her debut) show well the subject of each page in mixed media and collage. I have so many favorites, but the best is the last, Fannie's portrait as an older woman. It's a book to treasure.
"When I was born, on October 6, 1917, the plantation owner paid my mother fifty dollars for producing a future field hand." Fannie was the youngest of twenty.
"I was just six when I dragged my first bag down a row of cotton."
"Before I could cast a single vote, I had to pay a poll tax that I couldn't afford--"
"They put us in separate cells and made the other prisoners beat us. Black and Blue." Fanny suffered from these injuries her whole life.
"I called racism America's problem."
"I had always believed: We serve God by serving our fellow man."
There of course is more to the story, more heartbreak and humiliation, almost nothing to celebrate except the strength and courage of this woman, a person I have never heard of until this picture book. The illustrations by Ekua Holmes (her debut) show well the subject of each page in mixed media and collage. I have so many favorites, but the best is the last, Fannie's portrait as an older woman. It's a book to treasure.
October 16, 2016
A perfectly vivid portrayal of another women who we can't hold a candle to in terms of determination and drive to see things through. Fannie Lou Hamer endured heartbreak when she was sterilized, she fought back through the injustice of the voter registration process, continued to run for office when it was denied to her, and cultivated beautiful relationships with her husband, children, lawmakers, religious change-makers among others to affect change when it was denied to her so many times.
This picture book would work at any level to inspire civil service, being an engaged citizen, and stand up for your beliefs in the face of pressure and injustice.
This picture book would work at any level to inspire civil service, being an engaged citizen, and stand up for your beliefs in the face of pressure and injustice.
October 19, 2015
"I was just six when I dragged / my first bag down a row of cotton [...] Sharecropping was just slavery by a gentler name" ("Delta Blues"). "The beating left me more / than just bruises and bad memories. / A blood clot weakened by eyesight,/my kidneys were damaged,/and my limp got worse./But I was determined:/I was marching toward the Promised Land" ("Injustice). What a stunning collection of poems about Fannie Lou Hamer, a strong-willed Civil Rights hero whose name is not known as well as it should be. Holme's illustrations are lively and beautiful, fitting the moving poems with ease.
May 6, 2016
Fannie Lou Hamer is a true hero of the Civil Rights Movement and her story can't be told enough. She endured more hardship and heartache than any one person should go through, but she did it all with spirit, conviction, and hope for a better future. Carole Boston Weatherford's poetry is lovely and Ekua Holmes's artwork is divine. For older picture book readers, say 10+.
January 18, 2016
A perfect read for Martin Luther King Day...the story of Fannie Lou Hammer's life and dedication to the civil rights movement. The illustrations are truly stunning and worthy of the 2016 Caldecott Honor recently bestowed upon it.
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November 11, 2017This book is about the life of Fannie Lou Hamer a civil rights activist. She lived this awful life full of trials, but she never stopped working.
This book was very good, very sad but good. She lived a truly inspiring life.
I would use this book in class when talking about tolerance and history.
This book was very good, very sad but good. She lived a truly inspiring life.
I would use this book in class when talking about tolerance and history.
January 12, 2018
Well done and interesting
April 5, 2021
I don't typically rate picture books, but this one is outstanding. Really a powerful piece, highly recommended for all readers.
January 7, 2017
Wow! How is it that we haven't heard of this woman before?? or maybe it is that my age group of white people hasn't heard of her.. she was such a force to be reckoned with .. listened to.. and followed that her story should be told to many - and maybe it already is... even though in a picture book format this is not a book for the very young.. graphic in description with beautiful illustrations..
January 6, 2016
2016 Reading Challenge
Poetry
3.25 stars
I am going to put this in my reading challenge under poetry. I could also use it as Famous Person but reading books about famous people is easy. Poetry can be tougher. This isn't a poetry book but it is written in poetry form. It doesn't rhyme but it has all the elements!
I like the information about Fannie Lou Hamer. It is important to learn about these amazing people-willing to stand up for what is right! Especially during MLK Month! Honoring our Black Brothers and sisters and their rights to be equal is so important. Racisim is taught it is NOT an inherent quality.
The writing has poor grammar but that is how Fannie would have talked so it works but I mentally want to correct the grammar!
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**** Read on if you dare
I really liked this book, and the information but why I can't give it a 4 or higher? It is a little heavy handed with the white race card. As a white person, I don't know about sharecropping, or slavery, or discrimination but I am a Mormon and my people haven't had it so easy either. I hate mans inhumanity to man!
So, I don't appreciate the generalization that all white people have plenty to eat and all white people have indoor bathrooms for their dogs. The Marlow's were the bad people, not because they were white but accuse they were bad people that cared more about their dog than their sharecroppers. "Whites had food clothes, everything." That is a perception of a child, that is too bad that is they way it was perceived, but my people went without shoes and walked across a wilderness for religious freedom and went hungry a lot so, don't tell me because they are white they had food!
PS Mormons were anti Slavery and part of the reason OTHER white people hated us in Missouri etc...and drove us out of our homes!
When any race thinks it is better or worse than the other we have a problem. We are all God's Children regardless of the color of our skin. As I say with the gleam in my eye..."I hate all people equality" What I mean in my snide remark is I know some really worthless White People, I also know some really great white people. I know some really worthless black people, I also know some amazing fantastic Black people. So MLK says let us be judged by the "content of our character" and not the color of our skin...I say an AMEN!
Poetry
3.25 stars
I am going to put this in my reading challenge under poetry. I could also use it as Famous Person but reading books about famous people is easy. Poetry can be tougher. This isn't a poetry book but it is written in poetry form. It doesn't rhyme but it has all the elements!
I like the information about Fannie Lou Hamer. It is important to learn about these amazing people-willing to stand up for what is right! Especially during MLK Month! Honoring our Black Brothers and sisters and their rights to be equal is so important. Racisim is taught it is NOT an inherent quality.
The writing has poor grammar but that is how Fannie would have talked so it works but I mentally want to correct the grammar!
*
*
*
**** Read on if you dare
I really liked this book, and the information but why I can't give it a 4 or higher? It is a little heavy handed with the white race card. As a white person, I don't know about sharecropping, or slavery, or discrimination but I am a Mormon and my people haven't had it so easy either. I hate mans inhumanity to man!
So, I don't appreciate the generalization that all white people have plenty to eat and all white people have indoor bathrooms for their dogs. The Marlow's were the bad people, not because they were white but accuse they were bad people that cared more about their dog than their sharecroppers. "Whites had food clothes, everything." That is a perception of a child, that is too bad that is they way it was perceived, but my people went without shoes and walked across a wilderness for religious freedom and went hungry a lot so, don't tell me because they are white they had food!
PS Mormons were anti Slavery and part of the reason OTHER white people hated us in Missouri etc...and drove us out of our homes!
When any race thinks it is better or worse than the other we have a problem. We are all God's Children regardless of the color of our skin. As I say with the gleam in my eye..."I hate all people equality" What I mean in my snide remark is I know some really worthless White People, I also know some really great white people. I know some really worthless black people, I also know some amazing fantastic Black people. So MLK says let us be judged by the "content of our character" and not the color of our skin...I say an AMEN!
November 1, 2016
1) This book is filled with poems and illustrations that portray the triumphs and trials of Fannie Lou Hamer's upbringing and also a celebration for her being the champion of equal voting rights. Fannie Lou Hamer is not near as well known as Martin Luther King Jr. or Rosa Parks, but she is still very important. Hamer grew up as the 20th child of Mississippi sharecroppers, and worked in the fields all day. However she wanted to find a way for black people to have something to show for how they all worked so hard. She went through trials such as experiencing the "night riders" after she attempted to register to vote (with African Americans not able to vote) which resulted in a brutal beating and her arrest. However, Hamer did not give up and persevered through the last last breath she took in 1977.
2) Age Level: 9-12 years old Grade Level: 4th-7th grade
3) Appropriate classroom use of this book: History to teach students the meaning of freedom and standing up for what you believe in
4) Individual students who might benefit from this book would be: students who love learning about times when freedom was not heard of, and the lengths people would go to get freedom
5) Small group use: Small group use of this book could be used for each group to create and put together a poem (the book was composed of different poems) about Fannie Lou Hamer's life and what she experienced, and then they can all share with the class.
6) Whole class use: Discuss what the civil rights movement was and ask what the students know about it, then read the book as a class aloud, using Reader's Theatre involving the whole class to read through the book, and at the end discuss how they would feel if they were in Fannie Lou Hamer's shoes.
7) Related books: Trombone Shorty, Last Stop on Market Street, Finding Winnie
8) Multimedia connections: There is an audible version on Amazon of this book for free, and there are also kid friendly videos on YouTube that show what freedom means from a kid's perspective which I thought would be great to use along with this book in the classroom.
2) Age Level: 9-12 years old Grade Level: 4th-7th grade
3) Appropriate classroom use of this book: History to teach students the meaning of freedom and standing up for what you believe in
4) Individual students who might benefit from this book would be: students who love learning about times when freedom was not heard of, and the lengths people would go to get freedom
5) Small group use: Small group use of this book could be used for each group to create and put together a poem (the book was composed of different poems) about Fannie Lou Hamer's life and what she experienced, and then they can all share with the class.
6) Whole class use: Discuss what the civil rights movement was and ask what the students know about it, then read the book as a class aloud, using Reader's Theatre involving the whole class to read through the book, and at the end discuss how they would feel if they were in Fannie Lou Hamer's shoes.
7) Related books: Trombone Shorty, Last Stop on Market Street, Finding Winnie
8) Multimedia connections: There is an audible version on Amazon of this book for free, and there are also kid friendly videos on YouTube that show what freedom means from a kid's perspective which I thought would be great to use along with this book in the classroom.
March 25, 2017
It was neat to read this right about the same time I read March: Book Three as Fannie Lou Hamer was part of the Civil Rights Movement and was featured in March.
This contains poetry that introduce us to Hamer's life and her fight for civil rights. She was brave and eloquent and able to overcome some heartbreaking situations! The illustrations are amazing! And I enjoyed the poetry.
I was especially touched by the poem Africa. She had never seen a black pilot before going to Africa and was saddened that she was treated better there than in her own country. But the part that I found especially touching and heartrending were these last 4 lines:
"So many things reminded me of home.
My ancestors spoke to me. I wondered,
Could some folks I met be my distant kin?
I was angry that slavery cut the ties."
I think there is so much value in knowing your history, knowing your family background, researching your genealogy and somehow this seems just one of so many cruelties and horrors of slavery...not being able to trace your family lines, not knowing where you came from or who is your kin. I knew this intellectually before reading this book, but this book made me feel that loss, that sorrow.
My other favorite poem was Black Power. Here is the last half of the poem:
"How could I hate?
I mourned whites who died for freedom.
I have lived long enough to know
that no race has a corner on decency.
I feel sorry for anybody that could let hate wrap them up.
Ain't no such thin as I can hate anybody
and hope to see God's face.
Out of one blood God made all nations."
The Civil Rights Movement occurred before I was born but I have a deep respect and admiration for those who worked so tirelessly to make this nation better...particularly those who used a nonviolent approach to further this cause.
This contains poetry that introduce us to Hamer's life and her fight for civil rights. She was brave and eloquent and able to overcome some heartbreaking situations! The illustrations are amazing! And I enjoyed the poetry.
I was especially touched by the poem Africa. She had never seen a black pilot before going to Africa and was saddened that she was treated better there than in her own country. But the part that I found especially touching and heartrending were these last 4 lines:
"So many things reminded me of home.
My ancestors spoke to me. I wondered,
Could some folks I met be my distant kin?
I was angry that slavery cut the ties."
I think there is so much value in knowing your history, knowing your family background, researching your genealogy and somehow this seems just one of so many cruelties and horrors of slavery...not being able to trace your family lines, not knowing where you came from or who is your kin. I knew this intellectually before reading this book, but this book made me feel that loss, that sorrow.
My other favorite poem was Black Power. Here is the last half of the poem:
"How could I hate?
I mourned whites who died for freedom.
I have lived long enough to know
that no race has a corner on decency.
I feel sorry for anybody that could let hate wrap them up.
Ain't no such thin as I can hate anybody
and hope to see God's face.
Out of one blood God made all nations."
The Civil Rights Movement occurred before I was born but I have a deep respect and admiration for those who worked so tirelessly to make this nation better...particularly those who used a nonviolent approach to further this cause.
January 28, 2017
“(Mama) told me, ‘I want you to respect yourself as a Black child, as you get older, you respect yourself as a Black woman. If you respect yourself enough, other people will have to respect you.’” (Page 5). These words are on the one of the first few pages in the book, “Voice of Freedom: Fannie Lou Hamer,” and they set the tone and message for the rest of the book. This is a multiple award winning text, and was recommended through the ALCS webpage, as a 2016 Caldecott Honors winner. This picture book is told in first person, through short poems. Each page starts a new poem, and focuses on a major event in Fannie’s life, from childhood through her adult life. Through each poem, the reader learns the intense challenges Fannie faced growing up, and how she would not accept the life that was given to African Americans during the mid-1900’s. She details her struggles that she faced, as she tried to make a difference in America. Common themes portrayed in this text are perseverance, standing up for what is right, and making the choices to make a change for the better. This would be a great text to use for late elementary/middle school students who are studying the Civil Rights or major events in America’s history. Using this book could cause controversy in the classroom because the U.S. government is not portrayed in a positive manner. Students will get a feel of how during this time, our government did not fight for the equal rights of all people. The illustrations are collage-like and full of color and details to enhance the information provided on each page. The information provided give readers a strong understanding of how difficult it was for African Americans growing up during this time.
April 7, 2017
Voice of Freedom: Fannie Lou Hamer is an informational, non fiction, and biography that follows the life of Fannie Lou Hamer, a civil rights activist. This book is composed of free versed poems that details the hardships Fannie faced as a child until she was an adult. Voice of Freedom allows the reader to see slavery, segregation and the civil rights movement through a female perspective, as she had to fight even harder to gain the rights that black men had. Although she had to face many pitfalls she persevered through all the trial, until she finally "won". While reading this book, you can't help but notice the illustrations as well. The illustrations and vivid colors help put Fannie Lou Hamer's story in perspective.
I really enjoyed reading this book as I found out a lot about civil rights and slavery through the eyes of a "hidden figure". I had never knew about Fannie Lou Hamer until I found this gem. I think it would be an excellent read aloud book to bring into 4th and 5th graders. The reading is not a difficult read to say, however, the content is very mature. I would use this book in the classroom to discuss social justice. After, or even during a read aloud, I would use this book to have an engaging and active class discussion about inequalities faced during this time period and the social injustice that was seen throughout the poems. I would also use this book to teach about the civil right movement and make timelines according to Fannie Lou's life.
This an excellent read and I would recommend it to anybody looking for a short yet engaging read.
I really enjoyed reading this book as I found out a lot about civil rights and slavery through the eyes of a "hidden figure". I had never knew about Fannie Lou Hamer until I found this gem. I think it would be an excellent read aloud book to bring into 4th and 5th graders. The reading is not a difficult read to say, however, the content is very mature. I would use this book in the classroom to discuss social justice. After, or even during a read aloud, I would use this book to have an engaging and active class discussion about inequalities faced during this time period and the social injustice that was seen throughout the poems. I would also use this book to teach about the civil right movement and make timelines according to Fannie Lou's life.
This an excellent read and I would recommend it to anybody looking for a short yet engaging read.
April 18, 2017
Voice of Freedom is a great upper level (grades 3-5) picture book in the informational or biographical genre. The book tells the story of Fannie Lou Hamer and her role in the civil rights movement, as the "voice of freedom." Written in the dialect she spoke from her perspective, the powerful picture book tells her story. Starting with her humble beginnings and telling the story of her life and involvement in the civil rights movement, the book gives the reader a personal perspective of an important member of the civil rights movement that is not talked about as much.
In the classroom this would be a great book for a read-aloud, especially with the quality illustrations. It would also be very helpful to talk about dialects and analyze the written form of a dialect. In addition, it brings up many important topics relating to civil rights. It would also be useful for students in research for biographies and the civil rights movement as well.
This book is a wow book because of the amazing illustrations and authentic feel of the text. Because it is written in her dialect and the images are well-drawn in full color, it brings the reader into Fannie Lou’s story and gives the reader a sense of what she lived through. The book makes a tough topic like the civil rights movement more accessible to students and the messages are clear and powerful. It is important to remember and learn from our history and this book is an important reminder of what our country went through, and the many people who made history by standing up for what they believed in. Definitely a must read.
In the classroom this would be a great book for a read-aloud, especially with the quality illustrations. It would also be very helpful to talk about dialects and analyze the written form of a dialect. In addition, it brings up many important topics relating to civil rights. It would also be useful for students in research for biographies and the civil rights movement as well.
This book is a wow book because of the amazing illustrations and authentic feel of the text. Because it is written in her dialect and the images are well-drawn in full color, it brings the reader into Fannie Lou’s story and gives the reader a sense of what she lived through. The book makes a tough topic like the civil rights movement more accessible to students and the messages are clear and powerful. It is important to remember and learn from our history and this book is an important reminder of what our country went through, and the many people who made history by standing up for what they believed in. Definitely a must read.
November 2, 2016
1) Book summary, in your own words (3 pts)
-This book is about the life of Fannie Lou Hamer, a civil rights activist who fought for freedom, justice, and equal rights for African Americans. She also worked to improve the life of poverty students and opened a Head Start to help students get ahead by receiving an education. This book is through the eyes of Fannie, but it is not an autobiography. Through the book, students will learn about the injustices that African Americans faced and the Jim Crow Laws.
2) Grade level, interest level, lexile (1 pt)
-3rd-5th grade.
3) Appropriate classroom use (subject area) (1 pt)
-History
4) Individual students who might benefit from reading (1 pt)
-Students learning about the Civil Rights Movement.
-Students who attended a Head Start program.
5) Small group use (literaturecircles) (1 pt)
-Students can read through sections of the book together or on their own and get into groups to discuss. Did anything in the book stand out to you? What surprised you most about the way African Americans were treated?
6) Whole class use (read aloud) (1 pt)
-Popcorn reading.
7) Related books in genre/subject or content area (1 pt)
-Glory Be by Augusta Scattergood
-Lions of Little Rock by Kristin Levine
8) Multimedia connections (audio book, movie) available (1 pt)
-Audiobook Available.
-This book is about the life of Fannie Lou Hamer, a civil rights activist who fought for freedom, justice, and equal rights for African Americans. She also worked to improve the life of poverty students and opened a Head Start to help students get ahead by receiving an education. This book is through the eyes of Fannie, but it is not an autobiography. Through the book, students will learn about the injustices that African Americans faced and the Jim Crow Laws.
2) Grade level, interest level, lexile (1 pt)
-3rd-5th grade.
3) Appropriate classroom use (subject area) (1 pt)
-History
4) Individual students who might benefit from reading (1 pt)
-Students learning about the Civil Rights Movement.
-Students who attended a Head Start program.
5) Small group use (literaturecircles) (1 pt)
-Students can read through sections of the book together or on their own and get into groups to discuss. Did anything in the book stand out to you? What surprised you most about the way African Americans were treated?
6) Whole class use (read aloud) (1 pt)
-Popcorn reading.
7) Related books in genre/subject or content area (1 pt)
-Glory Be by Augusta Scattergood
-Lions of Little Rock by Kristin Levine
8) Multimedia connections (audio book, movie) available (1 pt)
-Audiobook Available.
January 28, 2018
Not only was this book educational friendly, but the use of artwork was so vibrant! According to Russel chapter three, "children identify with characters like themselves" (106). This book is about Fannie Lou Hammer's life and legacy. She dropped out of school to help her family support themselves, she was very knowledgable, and was apart of the civil rights movement. She worked very hard for racial equality and sometimes children might feel they can relate to Fannie or feel inspired by her courage. The many shapes and textures used in the story brought a realistic quality in the illustration. The shapes were powerful, especially the characters faces and outfits worn draws the readers attention to the details and objects on the page. The use of colors were astonishing! The colors just make the reader feel all the emotions the artist was trying to express. These colors will definitely trigger emotions and responses like sadness, empathy, happiness, strength, and courage. The artist also used collages in a unique way. For example in the beginning of the story a the side profile of Fannie's face is drawn and in the background is a collage of sun flowers, bright yellows, green from the plants, and even parts of music notes sneak in. This really caught my attention and love the book even more.
February 7, 2017
Source: ala.org
Voice of Freedom: Fannie Lou Hamer is given the Caldecott Honor and the Coretta Scott King Award.
Carole Boston Weatherford presents Fannie Lou Hamer's life as told by Fannie. The language used within the text as if Hamer were telling the story. The Weatherford's careful craft to give Hamer a voice, in the proper dialect, throughout the book furthers the authenticity.
Hamer tells the story of her life in chronological order. She shares what her life was like growing up and how the oppression she faced caused her to keep moving towards change for freedom. The story is sprinkled with direct quotes from Hamer (found from various biographical sources and cited at the end of the text). The text includes some inspirational quotes from Hamer throughout such as, "If you respect yourself enough, other people will have to respect you." and "When you read, you know- and you can help yourself and others."
This text does contain some explicit language and violence when describing the persecution Hamer faced during her fight for civil rights. It would be best to use this text with older students. Some younger students would benefit from this book with the support and facilitation of adults.
The abstract illustrations draw the reader in with bright bold colors.
Voice of Freedom: Fannie Lou Hamer is given the Caldecott Honor and the Coretta Scott King Award.
Carole Boston Weatherford presents Fannie Lou Hamer's life as told by Fannie. The language used within the text as if Hamer were telling the story. The Weatherford's careful craft to give Hamer a voice, in the proper dialect, throughout the book furthers the authenticity.
Hamer tells the story of her life in chronological order. She shares what her life was like growing up and how the oppression she faced caused her to keep moving towards change for freedom. The story is sprinkled with direct quotes from Hamer (found from various biographical sources and cited at the end of the text). The text includes some inspirational quotes from Hamer throughout such as, "If you respect yourself enough, other people will have to respect you." and "When you read, you know- and you can help yourself and others."
This text does contain some explicit language and violence when describing the persecution Hamer faced during her fight for civil rights. It would be best to use this text with older students. Some younger students would benefit from this book with the support and facilitation of adults.
The abstract illustrations draw the reader in with bright bold colors.
January 7, 2017
Text: 5 stars
Illustrations: 5 stars
A moving picture book biography of civil rights activist Fannie Lou Hamer, told in poetry. Full of determination, grit, and inspiration. Direct quotes from Fannie Lou Hamer are deftly woven into the poems using italicized text, and cited in the back of the book. Many real-life historical events are woven into the text, making this an excellent classroom resource. Powerful collage illustrations complement the text beautifully. Because the poems really speak the truth and tell it like it was, and those times in the South were downright ugly and dangerous for African Americans, I recommend this book for middle school students. Comprehensive timeline and selected bibliography are included in the back of the book. An outstanding blend of nonfiction and art. Highly recommend.
Illustrations: 5 stars
A moving picture book biography of civil rights activist Fannie Lou Hamer, told in poetry. Full of determination, grit, and inspiration. Direct quotes from Fannie Lou Hamer are deftly woven into the poems using italicized text, and cited in the back of the book. Many real-life historical events are woven into the text, making this an excellent classroom resource. Powerful collage illustrations complement the text beautifully. Because the poems really speak the truth and tell it like it was, and those times in the South were downright ugly and dangerous for African Americans, I recommend this book for middle school students. Comprehensive timeline and selected bibliography are included in the back of the book. An outstanding blend of nonfiction and art. Highly recommend.
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