CHILDREN'S LITERATURE LEGACY AWARD WINNER • A stunning picture-book biography of iconic African American opera star Leontyne Price.
Born in a small town in Mississippi in 1927, the daughter of a midwife and a sawmill worker, Leontyne Price might have grown up singing the blues. But Leontyne had big dreams—and plenty to be thankful for—as she surrounded herself with church hymns and hallelujahs, soaked up opera arias on the radio, and watched the great Marian Anderson grace the stage.
While racism made it unlikely that a poor black girl from the South would pursue an opera career, Leontyne’s wondrous voice and unconquerable spirit prevailed. Bursting through the door Marian had cracked open, Leontyne was soon recognized and celebrated for her leading roles at the Metropolitan Opera and around the world—most notably as the majestic Ethiopian princess in Aida, the part she felt she was born to sing.
From award-winners Carole Boston Weatherford and Raul Colón comes the story of a little girl from Mississippi who became a beloved star—one whose song soared on the breath of her ancestors and paved the way for those who followed.
"While Weatherford addresses the barriers Price faced, her love of music and the presence of those who supported her are deeply felt." —Publishers Weekly starred review, October 2014
"A true marriage of lyrical text and majestic illustrations, the book shines a much-needed spotlight on an important cultural figure." —School Library Journal starred review, November 2014
"This does a beautiful job of capturing the dreams of a young girl who has thetalent and willpower to make them come true, and Colón’s dappled artwork is an excellent visualaccompaniment." —Booklist starred review, November 2014
Carole Boston Weatherford is a two-time NAACP Image Award winner, ALA Children’s Literature Legacy Award winner, and the author of the Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award–winning Standing in the Need of Prayer; Unspeakable: The Tulsa Race Massacre, which won the Coretta Scott King Author and Illustrator Awards, a Caldecott Honor, and a Sibert Honor; the Newbery Honor book Box: Henry Brown Mails Himself to Freedom; and the Caldecott Honor books Freedom in Congo Square; Voice of Freedom: Fannie Lou Hamer, Spirit of the Civil Rights Movement; and Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom. She also serves as the 2025-2026 Young People’s Poet Laureate. Weatherford was born in Baltimore, Maryland, where she now resides.
View titles by Carole Boston Weatherford
CHILDREN'S LITERATURE LEGACY AWARD WINNER • A stunning picture-book biography of iconic African American opera star Leontyne Price.
Born in a small town in Mississippi in 1927, the daughter of a midwife and a sawmill worker, Leontyne Price might have grown up singing the blues. But Leontyne had big dreams—and plenty to be thankful for—as she surrounded herself with church hymns and hallelujahs, soaked up opera arias on the radio, and watched the great Marian Anderson grace the stage.
While racism made it unlikely that a poor black girl from the South would pursue an opera career, Leontyne’s wondrous voice and unconquerable spirit prevailed. Bursting through the door Marian had cracked open, Leontyne was soon recognized and celebrated for her leading roles at the Metropolitan Opera and around the world—most notably as the majestic Ethiopian princess in Aida, the part she felt she was born to sing.
From award-winners Carole Boston Weatherford and Raul Colón comes the story of a little girl from Mississippi who became a beloved star—one whose song soared on the breath of her ancestors and paved the way for those who followed.
Reviews
"While Weatherford addresses the barriers Price faced, her love of music and the presence of those who supported her are deeply felt." —Publishers Weekly starred review, October 2014
"A true marriage of lyrical text and majestic illustrations, the book shines a much-needed spotlight on an important cultural figure." —School Library Journal starred review, November 2014
"This does a beautiful job of capturing the dreams of a young girl who has thetalent and willpower to make them come true, and Colón’s dappled artwork is an excellent visualaccompaniment." —Booklist starred review, November 2014
Author
Carole Boston Weatherford is a two-time NAACP Image Award winner, ALA Children’s Literature Legacy Award winner, and the author of the Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award–winning Standing in the Need of Prayer; Unspeakable: The Tulsa Race Massacre, which won the Coretta Scott King Author and Illustrator Awards, a Caldecott Honor, and a Sibert Honor; the Newbery Honor book Box: Henry Brown Mails Himself to Freedom; and the Caldecott Honor books Freedom in Congo Square; Voice of Freedom: Fannie Lou Hamer, Spirit of the Civil Rights Movement; and Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom. She also serves as the 2025-2026 Young People’s Poet Laureate. Weatherford was born in Baltimore, Maryland, where she now resides.
View titles by Carole Boston Weatherford
