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Deborah Hopkinson

A Band of Angels Paperback – Picture Book, January 1, 2002

by Deborah Hopkinson (Author), Raul Colon (Illustrator)

12 ratings

A Band of Angels is fiction, but it is based on real events and people. The character of Ella was inspired by Ella Sheppard Moore, who was born February 4, 1851, in Nashville, Tennessee. Her father was able to free himself and young Ella from slavery, but before he could buy freedom for Ella's mother she was sold away. Ella was raised in Cincinnati, where she took music lessons. At fifteen, she was left penniless when her father died. She arrived at Fisk School in 1868 with only six dollars.
Fisk was opened in 1866 as a school for former slaves and began offering college classes in 1871. That year, in a desperate attempt to save Fisk from closing, a music teacher named George White set out with a group of students on a singing tour to raise money. Although at first they only sang popular music of the day, they soon became famous for introducing spirituals to the world.
Ella Sheppard was the pianist for the Jubilee Singers on their historic concert tours, which raised enough money to save the school and build Jubilee Hall, the first permanent structure in the South for the education of black students. Ella later married George Moore, had three children, and located her mother and a sister. She died in 1914. Today her great-granddaughter is a librarian at Fisk University who shares the history of the Jubilee Singers with visitors.
Although none graduated from Fisk, the original Jubilee Singers were recognized with honorary degrees in 1978. Today, Jubilee Singers at Fisk University continue to keep alive a rich musical tradition that includes such songs as "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot," "Many Thousand Gone," and "Go Down, Moses."

Reading age

5 - 9 years
Print length

40 pages
Language

English
Grade level

Kindergarten - 4
Lexile measure

740L
Dimensions

8.5 x 0.2 x 10.5 inches
Publisher

Aladdin
Publication date

January 1, 2002
ISBN-10

9780689848872
ISBN-13

978-0689848872
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Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In a starred review of this story inspired by a groundbreaking African-American chorus founded in 1871, PW wrote, "Scenes of the chorus lost in song voices raised, eyes closed reveal the courage and heart of these trailblazing singers." Ages 5-9.

About the Author

Deborah Hopkinson is the author of numerous award-winning children's books, including Sweet Clara and the Freedom Quilt, winner of the International Reading Association Award, Girl Wonder, winner of the Great Lakes Book Award, and Apples to Oregon, a Junior Library Guild Selection. She received the 2003 Washington State Book Award for Under the Quilt for the Night. She lives in Oregon. Visit her onlinw at DeborahHopkinson.com.

Raúl Colón is the award-winning illustrator of many picture books, including Draw! an ALA Notable Book and recipient of the International Latino Book Award; Imagine! an ALA Notable Book, a New York Public Library Best Book for Kids, and a Bookpage Best Book; Susanna Reich’s José! Born to Dance; Angela’s Christmas by Frank McCourt; and Jill Biden’s Don’t Forget, God Bless Our Troops. Mr. Colón lived in Puerto Rico as a young boy and now resides in New City, New York, with his family.

Product details

ASIN : 0689848870
Publisher : Aladdin; Reprint edition (January 1, 2002)
Language : English
Paperback : 40 pages
ISBN-10 : 9780689848872
ISBN-13 : 978-0689848872
Reading age : 5 - 9 years
Lexile measure : 740L
Grade level : Kindergarten - 4
Item Weight : 5.6 ounces
Dimensions : 8.5 x 0.2 x 10.5 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #337,573 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #812 in Children's Performing Arts Fiction
- #1,469 in Children's Black & African American Story Books
- #3,833 in Children's Biographies (Books)

Customer Reviews:
12 ratings

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Top reviews from the United States

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Brenton Morley

This is a wonderful introduction to the Jubilee Singers of Fisk University in ...

Reviewed in the United States on May 29, 2015

Verified Purchase

This is a wonderful introduction to the Jubilee Singers of Fisk University in TN. The Jubilee Singers brought the Negro spirituals to the attention of the world. A very inspiring story. In spite of the humiliation of being refused meals or lodging because of their skin color,
these heroic young people proved to the world that they were able to contribute to our country's life.

Helpful

Matthew Plante

Five Stars

Reviewed in the United States on March 31, 2017

Verified Purchase

Thanks!

Helpful

Iris N. Cruz

Love this book especially since I went to see a ...

Reviewed in the United States on June 10, 2015

Verified Purchase

Love this book especially since I went to see a stage production of the book with my fourth graders and it was a wonderful way to prepare them for the show. Also, I never knew this part of American history.

Helpful

Alicia

Gorgeous book; my daughter loves it

Reviewed in the United States on February 4, 2021

I bought this book at an amazing Black owned bookstore in Nashville. In fact, the store is right across the street from where this story takes place.

This book is especially inspirational to my and my daughter (age 6) because we live in Nashville and are familiar with Fisk University. No matter where you live, however, this book will teach you and your children/students about the amount of extreme effort, work, and perseverance that was required of black humans in the mod-1800s just to get an education. Music lovers will delight in the lyrics and thematic elements that bring the Jubilee singers to life in the text. The illustrations are beautiful and the afterward includes lots of helpful information for continued research.

This is one of my daughters favorite books, hands down.

Helpful

The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

Jubilee

Reviewed in the United States on March 12, 2003

A Band of Angels tells the story of Grandma Ella, a character who is inspired by Ella Sheppard Moore who was a pianist for the Jubilee Singers of Fisk University. We learn that Grandma Ella was born into slavery and freed at fourteen when the civil war ended. The story details how young Ella worked tirelessly to save money to attend a new school for freed slaves known as Fisk School. After saving her money and arriving at Fisk, Ella continues working so that she can stay in school and also joins the school chorus. In spite of her personal efforts, she still faced the very real possibility of having to leave school because the school itself was experiencing great financial hardship. While school officials had pretty much given up hope of keeping the school open, the school chorus and Professor White, the choir director, believe that they can help save the school by doing concerts throughout the North. The story then chronicles the experiences of the choir which range from jubilant moments to performing in virtually empty concert halls.
A Band of Angels is a book that provides a colorful way to share a proud part of African American heritage with your children. Colon's illustrations add greater depth to the story and will help children better visualize the events that take place. While this is a work of fiction, the story is based on real people who selflessly used their talents to keep Fisk's doors open. The book also provides a good introduction to Negro Spirituals, which were kept alive through the voices of the Jubilee Singers. In addition, readers will see how this brave group of singers would not let racism quiet their talented voices. Above all, the story will help inspire children to hold fast to their dreams in spite of the hurdles or difficulties they may encounter along the way.
Reviewed by Stacey Seay
The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

2 people found this helpful

Helpful

Sherry H.

Wonderful gift for music teacher

Reviewed in the United States on May 30, 2017

I purchased this as a graduation gift for a young woman who will be a music teacher. The story is uplifting and beautifully illustrated. She was thrilled to have this for her future classroom.

Helpful

Read to Kids

Great Historical Fiction

Reviewed in the United States on April 1, 2007

A Band of Angels is a moving story by Deborah Hopkinson based on real events and people from history. The book is appropriate for readers in third through fifth grade, and would particularly be appropriate for those studying American history in the late 1800s. The experiences and emotions that Ella faces in the book provide a good depiction of the feelings and events people encountered during that time period in a subtle way. The watercolor and colored pencil illustrations are presented in soft and appropriate colors that are well-suited to the text. The pictures are unique examples of the illustrator, Raul Colon's work, and add to the mood and setting of the story. Overall, A Band of Angels is a touching story that children can enjoy.

Helpful

Pamela Sloss

Powerful Story

Reviewed in the United States on April 8, 2004

The storyteller, Aunt Beth, relates to her niece the story of her great-great grandmother Ella Sheppard. This is the story of the determination of a girl to save her school by forming a chorus and taking them on tour to raise money. While the story is fiction, Hopkinson reveals in a note at the end of the text that is was inspired by factual events. Raul Colon's earth-toned art gives this book a historical flair. The glowing illustrations are suggestive of old photographs. The child narrator gives the book the personal effect to entice the reader to be indulged. This story illustrates the power of hard work and determination.

One person found this helpful

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