A collective biography about five musicians and groups at the height of their careers, whose passion and talent influenced the civil rights movement. Part of a new series on the civil rights era for ages 12 to 15 from Nomad Press.

Singing for Equality: Musicians of the Civil Rights Era introduces readers aged 12 to 15 to the history of the civil rights movement and explores the vital role that music played in the tumultuous period of American history of the 1950s, ‘’60s, and ‘’70s. As protests, demonstrations, rallies, and new laws characterized the civil rights movement and brought about change to the socially unjust systems of racial and gender oppression, music provided a soundtrack.

The heart of the civil rights movement beats in the music and musicians of the times, whose work was both an inspiration and a reflection of the changes happening in America and to its people. Bob Dylan, Mavis Staples and the Staple Singers, Nina Simone, Sam Cooke, and James Brown all epitomized the passion and commitment shown by those involved in the movement, and portrayed the struggles encountered by an entire race of people with gritty beauty and moving calls to action and thought. Their art was not just background music to the civil rights movement. It expressed and recorded for future generations the emotional and political turmoil of the American soul. In this book, hands-on projects and research activities alongside essential questions, links to online resources, and text-to-world connections promote a profound understanding of history and offer opportunities for social-emotional learning.

Meets multiple standards for the National Curriculum Standards for Social Studies.

Meets multiple standards for the National Music Education Standards.

Uses an inquiry-based approach to encourage readers to think critically about the legacy of slavery in the United States and the civil rights movement that dismantled much of the system of white supremacy that had oppressed black Americans for generations.

Introduces young readers to the sounds and the history of several American musical genres, including gospel, folk, jazz, country, and blues.

Develops cultural literacy by introducing readers to historically significant people, places, and events of the 1950s, ‘’60s, and ‘’70s.

Aligns with Common Core State Standards.

Projects include Deconstructing songs, Writing lyrics, and Comparing music now to music then.

Additional materials include a glossary, a list of media for further learning, a selected bibliography, and index.

About the Civil Rights Movement series and Nomad Press

Singing for Equality: Musicians of the Civil Rights Era is part of a new series from Nomad Press, The Civil Rights Era, that captures the passion and conviction of the 1950s and ‘’60s. Other titles in this set include Boycotts, Strikes, and Marches: Protests of the Civil Rights Era; Sitting In, Standing Up: Leaders of the Civil Rights Era; and Changing Laws: Politics of the Civil Rights Era.

Nomad Press books in The Civil Rights Era series integrate content with participation. Combining engaging narrative with inquiry-based projects stimulates learning and makes it active and alive. Nomad’’s unique approach simultaneously grounds kids in factual knowledge while allowing them the space to be curious, creative, and critical thinkers.

All books are leveled for Guided Reading level and Lexile and align with Common Core State Standards and Next Generation Science Standards.

All titles are available in paperback, hardcover, and ebook formats.