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Table of Contents
About The Book
Winner of the Coretta Scott King Illustration Award! From a New York Times bestselling and ALSC Children’s Literature Legacy Award–winning author and an acclaimed illustrator comes this vibrant portrait of Aretha Franklin that pays her the R-E-S-P-E-C-T this Queen of Soul deserves.
Aretha Franklin was born to sing. The daughter of a pastor and a gospel singer, her musical talent was clear from her earliest days in her father’s Detroit church where her soaring voice spanned more than three octaves.
Her string of hit songs earned her the title “the Queen of Soul,” multiple Grammy Awards, and a place in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. But Aretha didn’t just raise her voice in song, she also spoke out against injustice and fought for civil rights.
This authoritative, rhythmic, Coretta Scott King Illustration Award–winning picture book biography will captivate young readers with Aretha’s inspiring story.
Aretha Franklin was born to sing. The daughter of a pastor and a gospel singer, her musical talent was clear from her earliest days in her father’s Detroit church where her soaring voice spanned more than three octaves.
Her string of hit songs earned her the title “the Queen of Soul,” multiple Grammy Awards, and a place in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. But Aretha didn’t just raise her voice in song, she also spoke out against injustice and fought for civil rights.
This authoritative, rhythmic, Coretta Scott King Illustration Award–winning picture book biography will captivate young readers with Aretha’s inspiring story.
Reading Group Guide
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This is a sample of reading and discussion questions from a curriculum guide, available for free download in the Resources and Downloads tab.
Prereading
1. Tour the book. Look at the front and back covers. What do you see, feel, or think about when you examine them? What do you find when you remove the book jacket and look at the cover and the first few pages? Is there a glossary? Why might an author decide to add one? What is included at the end of the book?
2. Write down what respect means to you. Why do you think the author chose that title?
3. Are you familiar with Aretha Franklin and her music? List three things you'd like to learn about her/
4. Listen to a few of Aretha Franklin's songs. List three reasons why you think people like her music. How does her music make you feel?
Discussion Questions
1. Where was Aretha born?
2. How many brothers and sisters did she have?
3. What games did she enjoy playing?
4. Why did Aretha's father move to Detroit, Michigan?
5. Describe Aretha's personality as a child. Are you surprised to see where she ended up as an adult?
6. Identify information you'd like to know about Aretha that is not presented in the book. Were the three things you listed in the rereading section answered? Where might you look to learn more?
7. How does the author describe R&B music? What words would you use to describe your favorite kind of music?
8. Why do you think the illustrator puts Aretha's family portrait on the tree?
9. Aretha sang at President Barack Obama's inauguration and President Jimmy Carter's inauguration gala party. Why do you think they wanted her to sing at their special ceremonies?
10. Why is Aretha called the "Queen of Soul"?
For many more discussion questions and extension activities based on R-E-S-P-E-C-T: Aretha Franklin, Queen of Soul by Carole Boston Weatherford, check out the Curriculum Guide below in the Resources and Downloads tab.
Prereading
1. Tour the book. Look at the front and back covers. What do you see, feel, or think about when you examine them? What do you find when you remove the book jacket and look at the cover and the first few pages? Is there a glossary? Why might an author decide to add one? What is included at the end of the book?
2. Write down what respect means to you. Why do you think the author chose that title?
3. Are you familiar with Aretha Franklin and her music? List three things you'd like to learn about her/
4. Listen to a few of Aretha Franklin's songs. List three reasons why you think people like her music. How does her music make you feel?
Discussion Questions
1. Where was Aretha born?
2. How many brothers and sisters did she have?
3. What games did she enjoy playing?
4. Why did Aretha's father move to Detroit, Michigan?
5. Describe Aretha's personality as a child. Are you surprised to see where she ended up as an adult?
6. Identify information you'd like to know about Aretha that is not presented in the book. Were the three things you listed in the rereading section answered? Where might you look to learn more?
7. How does the author describe R&B music? What words would you use to describe your favorite kind of music?
8. Why do you think the illustrator puts Aretha's family portrait on the tree?
9. Aretha sang at President Barack Obama's inauguration and President Jimmy Carter's inauguration gala party. Why do you think they wanted her to sing at their special ceremonies?
10. Why is Aretha called the "Queen of Soul"?
For many more discussion questions and extension activities based on R-E-S-P-E-C-T: Aretha Franklin, Queen of Soul by Carole Boston Weatherford, check out the Curriculum Guide below in the Resources and Downloads tab.
About The Author
Photograph © Carole Boston Weatherford
Carole Boston Weatherford is an ALSC Children’s Literature Legacy Award winner, an honor given to an author or illustrator who has made a substantial and lasting contribution to children’s literature. Her award-winning books include Kin, illustrated by her son Jeffery and a Coretta Scott King Author Honor recipient; Box, which won a Newbery Honor; Unspeakable, which won the Coretta Scott King Award, a Caldecott Honor, and was a finalist for the National Book Award; Respect: Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul, winner of the Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award; ALA Notable Children’s Book You Can Fly; and Caldecott Honor winners Freedom in Congo Square; Voice of Freedom: Fannie Lou Hamer, Spirit of the Civil Rights Movement; and Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom. Carole lives in North Carolina. Visit her at CBWeatherford.com.
About The Illustrator
Photograph © Frank Morrison
Frank Morrison is the award-winning illustrator of many books for young readers, including Jazzy Miz Mozetta, winner of the Coretta Scott King - John Steptoe Award for New Talent; Little Melba and Her Big Trombone, a Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor book; Muhammad Ali; and How Sweet the Sound. Before becoming a children’s book illustrator and fine artist, Morrison toured the globe as a break-dancer. He lives in Georgia with his family. Visit him at MorrisonGraphics.com.
Product Details
- Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers (October 7, 2020)
- Length: 48 pages
- ISBN13: 9781534452282
- Ages: 4 - 8
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Raves and Reviews
* “The interplay between the deceptively simple narrative and Morrison’s illustrations is pitch-perfect. This beautiful picture book biography packs an emotional punch that is as compelling as the timeless songs that Franklin made famous.”
– School Library Journal, STARRED Review
* "The award-winning author-illustrator team of Weatherford and Morrison have taken on the life story of the Queen of Soul, and the result is a beautiful work of art."
– Booklist, STARRED review
“Weatherford presents an overview of key moments in the notable singer’s life, particularly her contributions to the civil rights movement. Morrison’s rich illustrations use a stylized realism to depict Franklin’s trajectory from preacher’s daughter to beloved icon.”
– Publishers Weekly
Awards and Honors
- Kansas NEA Reading Circle List PrimaryTitle
- ALA Coretta Scott King Award for Illustration
- Black-Eyed Susan Book Award Nominee (MD)
- Eureka! Excellence in Nonfiction Award Honor Title (CA)
- Topaz Nonfiction Reading List (TX)
Resources and Downloads
High Resolution Images
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Book Cover Image (jpg): RESPECT
Hardcover 9781534452282
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Author Photo (jpg): Carole Boston Weatherford Photograph © Carole Boston Weatherford(0.1 MB)
Any use of an author photo must include its respective photo credit
