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Summary
Summary
Historical-fiction based on the young life of Elizabeth "Libba" Cotten, the noted African American folksinger, who wrote the famous song "Freight Train" when she was just eleven years old.
Elizabeth's Song is the true-life story of Elizabeth (Libba) Cotten, the noted African American folksinger, guitarist, and songwriter. Against all odds, young Elizabeth teaches herself to play guitar left-handed on a borrowed instrument. Eventually, she earns enough money to buy a guitar of her very own, and is then inspired to write her first song--the folk classic "Freight Train," written when she was eleven years old. Elizabeth's unique style of playing guitar (upside down and backwards), from which the term "cotten picking" is derived, has influenced countless other artists. Elizabeth's story is one that will inspire people of all ages.
Author Notes
Michael Wenberg is a writer of numerous children and adult books , inlcuding Seattle Blues and Elizabeth's Song --his first children's book. A graduate of Gonzaga University, Mike lives with his wife and dog named Gracie, in the small seaside village of Kingston on Washington State's Puget Sound.
Cornelius Van Wright is an award-winning illustrator and author and has illusted of numerous children's books, including Colorfull , Jingle Dancer , The Little Red Crane , and What's in the Truck . His work has has appeared on Reading Rainbow and Storytime , and has been exhibited with the Society of Illustrators and at The Bologna Art Show.
Reviews (2)
School Library Journal Review
Gr 3-5-Set in Chapel Hill, NC, in 1903, this fictionalized story introduces readers to folk-musician Elizabeth Cotten. Young Elizabeth's love of music is so strong that she teaches herself to play her older brother Louis's guitar-left-handed and upside down. When he leaves home for a better life in the north, she works hard to earn enough money to buy her own guitar. At age 11, she writes her first song, "Freight Train," inspired by Louis's departure on train Number 9. An epilogue provides factual information about Cotten. The composition and design of this appealing picture book lure readers into finding out about this inspiring young African American. The descriptive language allows youngsters to visualize the scenes: for example, a passing train makes "a sudden rush of wind and sound, like a brass band gone wild." The soft, realistic watercolors complement the story, portraying the peace and joy the girl experiences when performing her music and the sadness she feels when her brother leaves. An appealing and satisfying book.-Margaret R. Tassia, Millersville University, PA (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Booklist Review
Gr. 1^-4. Elizabeth Cotton, an African American guitarist and folk singer, wrote the song "Freight Train Comin'" when she was 11 years old. This fictionalized picture book for older readers describes Elizabeth's inspiration: the trains that passed by and an older brother who leaves on a freight train for a better life in the North. Louis also takes his guitar with him, the one Elizabeth has been practicing on; because she's left-handed, she taught herself to play backward and upside down. Now it's time for her to step up her efforts to get her own guitar. An epilogue gives an overview of Cotton's life without commenting on how much or what parts of the story are based on fact. As presented, it's an intriguing tale, with Cotton emerging as a determined heroine who pursues her dream. First-time author Wenberg sometimes overdoes it with the adverbs and adjectives, but he knows how to pace a story so it grabs readers and how to paint a character with whom kids can identify. Van Wright's paintings, reminiscent of Jerry Pinkney's work, have a spirit and liveliness that allow Cotton's music to be heard through the pictures. --Ilene Cooper