This is a picture book biography about Odetta Holmes. Odetta was a legendary folksinger who in the prime of her career at the end of the 1950's became an influential presence for many popular folk singers who started building their careers in the 1970's. She was famous for her unique strumming skills on her guitar and her ability to sing beyond the genre of traditional folk music. Her broad range of expertise encompassed singing styles for music such as blues, traditional jazz, classical and opera.

This biography of Odetta Holmes written in free-verse is an excellent artistic story, perfect for introducing folk music to children. It is also a great teaching tool to illustrate the civil rights conflicts in America at the time of Odetta's rise to fame. Stephen Alcorn's illustrations beautifully symbolize the struggles that were happening between races at that time in the South.

Recommended by Tina Nabinger, School Librarian, New York