    | Full Text Reviews: School Library Journal - 07/01/2016 Gr 5–7—Silvey traces the influences and happenings that would take Pete Seeger, born to classical musician parents, from a place of wealth down to the union halls, small towns, and never-ending crusade against injustice. Seeger is shown learning from the likes of Alan Lomax and Woody Guthrie and coming to understand economic inequality, workers' rights, and civil rights. To bring the message of folk music and peace to a greater audience became Seeger's—and by extension this book's—quest. Through personal interviews, as well as primary source materials, Silvey creates a flowing biography for the middle school audience. She succeeds in portraying the strength of the singer's convictions, even in the face of adversity, which included a 10-year persecution by the House Un-American Activities Committee. Each chapter begins with a verse from Seeger's repertoire of music—some original and others renditions of traditional songs. VERDICT The subject is presented in such a way that readers will feel close to Seeger and be inspired to pursue more information on him and the causes he fought for.—Sharon M. Lawler, formerly at Randolph Elementary, Randolph AFB, TX - Copyright 2016 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission. Bulletin for the Center... - 09/01/2016 In this slim, tightly focused biography, Silvey traces the life of folksinger Peter Seeger, starting with his stumbling efforts to find work worth turning into a career (Harvard wasn’t the right path, and neither painting nor journalism was the right job) and his Depression years efforts to keep himself fed while finding his musical voice. It then moves to his glory days with the singing group the Weavers and his bitter confrontation with the House Un-American Activities Committee and goes on to his role as musician/activist in the civil rights and ecology movements. It’s a lot to pack into a scant ninety pages, but Silvey keeps the narrative lean and smooth, drawing all dialogue directly from Seeger’s own accounts and adding enough context for readers to understand how a performer so beloved by audiences could fall afoul of Congress. With an active career of public performance and civic engagement that bridged two centuries, Seeger is an ideal subject through which to focalize many social and political themes of the twentieth century, and the brevity of this title, along with its notes and resources, make it an excellent choice for reading aloud and discussing in American history classes. Just add the music. EB - Copyright 2016 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois. Loading...
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