Pam MuZoz Ryan is an award-winning author who enjoys a fine reputation for accurate and stylistic informational writing. Her major information source for this book was Marian�s own autobiography, supplemented by data gathered from the Marian Anderson Historical Society, the National Archives, and other biographers of the great singer. Booklist describes the narrative as �sometimes overblown, with just too much about Marian's �examining her heart� and �feeling sick in her stomach�� (November 15, 2002). While this is not the kind of language that is typical of well-written nonfiction, statements like these are common in autobiographies. Since much of Munoz�s information came from Anderson�s autobiography, such details are a legitimate way to connect readers with the subject. As an afterword, the author includes more information about Marian�s life, as well as a list of sources, suggested reading, and related websites.
The artist, Brian Selznick, took special pains to capture the time period. In the book�s afterword, he describes the visual research he did in preparation for the project. He recreated the setting for the story by including historically accurate details, like the wall-paper in Marian�s childhood home and the photographs on the wall of Marian�s voice teacher, Giuseppe Boghetti. He even saw a performance of the same opera in which Marian made her Metropolitan debut, Un Ballo in Maschera. The boldly-detailed acrylic paintings complement the story by showing interesting perspectives, and manage to recreate emotion in the faces of the characters.
�Using the visual metaphor of an operatic presentation, the production opens on the Metropolitan Opera stage just before performance, followed by a spread in which the audience watches as the curtain rises and a street scene reveals a tiny figure singing in a brightly-lit window.� (Kirkus Reviews, September 1, 2002) The introductory material for the book continues this metaphor by cleverly adopting the format of an opera playbill. Instead of �written by� and �illustrated by,� the credits read �Libretto by Pam MuZoz Ryan� and �Staging by Brian Selznick.� The publisher information continues the conceit by declaring �Scholastic Press, New York, Presents: When Marian Sang: The True Recital of Marian Anderson, The Voice of a Century.�
When Marian Sang represents the best of the new trend in informational picture books. It combines flawlessly documented research, an engaging writing style, and satisfying illustrations that appeal to the most demanding tastes. Its appeal spans a wide range of ages. Young children will be enthralled by the richly-detailed, sepia-toned illustrations that often include double-page spreads. The shorter format, with its lively text, will engage older readers who might be intimidated by more traditional biographies. It might also prove to be a stepping-stone for reluctant readers to undertake more challenging books on the same subject, such as Russell Freedman�s fine biography, The Voice that Challenged a Nation: Marian Anderson and the Struggle for Equal Rights.
Source
Books in Print [database online]. Available from http://www.booksinprint.com. Accessed 29 January 05.
Awards for When Marian Sang
School Library Journal Best Books of the Year
ALA Notable Books for Children
NCTE Orbis Pictus Award
Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Award (Nominee)
Related Sites
Pam Munoz Ryan�s Site
See and Hear Marian Sing
Meet Brian Selznick
Metropolitan Opera Site
School of Library and Information Studies
TEXAS WOMAN'S UNIVERSITY