Freedom Song Young Voices and the Struggle for Civil Rights

While all children learn about the civil rights movement, fewer and fewer of them are getting a music education in schools. This book solves that dilemma by bringing together music and history. It provides a fresh perspective on the civil rights movement by examining how music and song strengthened the movement and served as its voice. It looks at the churches and choirs that sprang to action to counteract segregation, particularly the Chicago Children's Choir which was founded in 1957 as part of the movement to bring children black and white, rich and poor together through song and continues today with 3,000 children a year participating and singing out for unity. Children learn how the work songs and spirituals that helped the slaves cope were transformed to fit the struggle for civil rights and how that struggle continues today. It includes the Chicago Children's Choir CDSongs on the Road to Freedom.

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.