Freedom Songs

by Yvette Moore

"In the tradition of Mildred Taylor, Moore presents an authentic, disturbing slice of black American history."-- Publisher's Weekly

During the spring of 1968, Sheryl Williams, 14, confronts harsh realities while visiting relatives in North Carolina. After witnessing--and then experiencing--acts of prejudice, she understands why Uncle Pete and some neighbors have joined the freedom riders, a group of protesters practicing methods taught by Martin Luther King. Once home in Brooklyn, N.Y., Sheryl decides to collect money for the group by holding a benefit concert with her friends. But will it help to change things?

Genres: Young Adult, Historical Fiction

176 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1991

Reviews

[Danielle · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's spring of 1963. Fourteen-year-old Sheryl from NYC visits her Mama's family in South Carolina. Her young uncle Pete is going to be a freedom worker, and Sheryl experiences racism in the South unlike anything she knows in the North.

When she returns home, she reads about lunch counter sit-ins and sees police and their dogs attacking nonviolent protesters. As she worries about her uncle, she's inspired to help the freedom workers by raising money.

I find the beginning of this novel a bit slow, and too religious for me, though it fits the time, place, and characters. Sheryl's relationships with her mom, older brother, friends, and the boy she likes are well crafted and believable. This is a good introduction to the Civil Rights movement for young people.

[Shantel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an amazing book I recommend this book for 11 years old and up this was a great book about the civil right movement I like the intellectual conversations between these high schoolers about Malcom x Martin Luther king and the freedom riders.

[American Girl]

Back in 7th grade I rated it 5 stars. I don't remember this book at all.

[Suman Biswas]

Long time ago, once there was a girl named Sheryl Williams, she is perhaps from North Carolina, and lives in Brooklyn. Later on she was 14 years old. It contains of emotional aspects that might have happen. It had some compassion do to some rights against personality do some freedom. It is better if they were doing hard working. Her friends were freedom workers as if they had planned to do something. She ended her life with freedom.

No matter what's going well and causing sadness to do loyalty or not. It has all with the people's fundamental rights and their wellness. Everything can happen with freedom.

I may reccommend this book to other people because it represents the people's freedom. Even the main point of view is like others are cooperating and communicating. Sheryl's family and friends are being as freedom riders.

[Claris · Rating 4 out of 5]

this book is about white people creating segregation and abuses towards black people and how and the main character sherly is about to gradute junior high school and is looking forward to be a fly girl. but she is also is looking forward to helping the black people by going to her family down south and testify against the way blacks are being mistreated. this affects her even more when her uncle dies and is starting to see a love falling between her and a friend darin.

[Mario Mohan · Rating 3 out of 5]

this book is a touching and a book that you need to read.this book is about a girl who was born in brooklyn ,new york and moves to north corilina and has to deal with more rasiscm than where she was before.She was born when the time that slavery and rsiscm were still the most importnt things in the world ,and she has to face it.she has to go on different buses go to different schools and drink on different water fountains.If you are a person who likes action this is a book for you.

[Cws]

JAR4-Moo

[Brooke.706 · Rating 4 out of 5]

IT GAVE A DIFFERENT POINT OF VIEW OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT

[Carrie Dalby · Rating 4 out of 5]

An insightful look into a troubled time in America's history. The hope is strong, and the bravery encouraging.