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Author: Gary Golio
Illustrator: Charlotte Riley-Webb
Genre: Children's Non Fiction, Picture Book
Publisher: Millbrook Press
Date: February 1, 2017
Length: 40 pages
This book was free through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
This picture book for older readers tells the story of how the racism protest song "Strange Fruit" came into being in 1939. This is also the story of two outsiders - Billie Holiday, a young black woman raised in poverty, and Abel Meeropol, the son of Jewish immigrants - whose combined talents created a truly unforgettable song.
Description from Goodreads
Several years ago I purchased the song "Strange Fruit" without knowing anything about it. I don't listen to it a lot, but I have loaned it to high school teachers to use in class. It' a haunting and beautiful song about horrible and terrifying crime that was normalized in the South at that time. I jumped at the chance to read this book, I had high hopes for it as a fit in the school library. Unfortunately it fell short of my expectations.
What I liked
Subject matter: The topic of lynchings is painful but a big part of not just Southern history, but American history. It's not one that should be glossed over or ignored. It was domestic terrorism that was allowed because of race, religion, or challenging the status quo. People tend to think of protests as big things, like marches or well publicized bus boycotts. They forget the little protests like hanging an anti-lynching banner outside of an office, trying to vote, applying to university, or singing a song. There are different ways to shine a light on injustice and help spur change.
Author's notes in the back: The missing details that weakened the narrative could be found in the back of the book. The "What Happened Next", "Billie Holiday" biography pages, and the "Source Notes" were some of the strongest parts of the book. The "What Happened Next" section provides dates and information to support further research. The short biography on Billie also seemed more truthful then how some of her life events were presented in the book.
Not enough about why Billie sang the song: The book does state that she agreed to try the song at least once as a favor. The song made her reflect on all of the injustices and daily degradations that black people faced. Her own father died because a white hospital wouldn't admit him. Billie was threatened and risked her life to sing a song she would have written into all of her contracts. She hoped singing Strange Fruit "might make things better", but what happened between doing the song as a one time favor to singing it in every performance despite attacks?
What I'm on the fence about
Not enough info on Abel Meerpol: The description of the book makes it sound like Meerpol is a focus in this book. Unfortunately he's only mentioned once in this book. As the author of a famous song, I would like a bit more information on him, or at least why he pushed to have it performed. I did like Billie's initial reaction to the song, that was great. |
| "When Billie first heard Abel sing "Strange Fruit" for her, she was unimpressed. The song wasn't jazz and it wasn't really blues, and what did the word pastoral mean anyway?" |
What didn't work for me
Illustrations: I'll be honest, I don't like Charlotte Riley-Webb's style. But she is a library staple, her artwork has a lot of movement, and I think she is a good match for a book about music. HOWEVER she was hit or miss in this book. What happened? There a great club scenes, audiences saddened by her song, and this great spread:
And then some pages just seemed like rushed figures and stripes of paint.
Gentling facts for younger readers or misrepresenting them?: I really like that the book's description immediately states that it is for older readers. Even so, there are some details of Billie's incredibly difficult childhood that you're not going to go into detail over in a picture book. I personally felt that they way Golio alluded to these instances seemed more like misrepresenting as opposed to an age appropriate nod to events.
Ex: Golio rights "At 10, she ended up in a reform school for colored girls, all because of a terrible thing done to her."
A neighbor tried to rape her and Billie was subsequently put into protective custody. The reference to the attempted rape is handled well, the fact that she was in a reform school is not in dispute. I simply feel that Golio makes it seem that Billie was purposefully punished for being black. A sentence or two stating that the State did a horrible job trying to protect her, wether it was because of ignorance of the trauma or bias because she was black, and further deepening her distrust of authority figures would have made the passage seem more honest.
Ex: The very next page states, "... when she finally moved to New York City to be with her mother, they were both arrested, and Billie was sent to jail. She was only 14."
This reads like they were arrested for being black. I originally thought they were arrested for breaking some unknown Jim Crow law, so I looked it up. The horrible truth was that Billie and her mother were working as prostitutes. That sickens me and breaks my heart. I can't help but think that there is an age appropriate way to say that the only work Billie and her mother could get was illegal and they were arrested in a raid.
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| Courtesy Lerner Books |
Gentling facts for younger readers or misrepresenting them?: I really like that the book's description immediately states that it is for older readers. Even so, there are some details of Billie's incredibly difficult childhood that you're not going to go into detail over in a picture book. I personally felt that they way Golio alluded to these instances seemed more like misrepresenting as opposed to an age appropriate nod to events.
Ex: Golio rights "At 10, she ended up in a reform school for colored girls, all because of a terrible thing done to her."
A neighbor tried to rape her and Billie was subsequently put into protective custody. The reference to the attempted rape is handled well, the fact that she was in a reform school is not in dispute. I simply feel that Golio makes it seem that Billie was purposefully punished for being black. A sentence or two stating that the State did a horrible job trying to protect her, wether it was because of ignorance of the trauma or bias because she was black, and further deepening her distrust of authority figures would have made the passage seem more honest.
Ex: The very next page states, "... when she finally moved to New York City to be with her mother, they were both arrested, and Billie was sent to jail. She was only 14."
This reads like they were arrested for being black. I originally thought they were arrested for breaking some unknown Jim Crow law, so I looked it up. The horrible truth was that Billie and her mother were working as prostitutes. That sickens me and breaks my heart. I can't help but think that there is an age appropriate way to say that the only work Billie and her mother could get was illegal and they were arrested in a raid.
Rating: 2.5
I'm just left with the feeling that with a few more sentences or details, this book could have been so much more. I do think it's a good way to talk about the history of such a strong and painful song. If this books leaves you wanting to look for the answers to the questions you still have after reading it, then great! A book that pushes you to do independent research is not a bad thing at all.
Am I being too picky and too much of a school librarian in reviewing this? I was really hoping it could be a nice add on for a few units we have, but it just fell short. I also think the art was part of it. DO you ever have expectations that are too high or unrealistic for an author or story to meet?
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