A 2022 Coretta Scott King Book Award Honoree!   This luminous, defining picture book biography illustrated by Caldecott Honoree Christian Robinson, tells the remarkable and inspiring story of acclaimed singer Nina Simone and her bold, defiant, and exultant legacy. Born Eunice Kathleen Waymon in small town North Carolina, Nina Simone was a musical child. She sang before she talked and learned to play piano at a very young age. With the support of her family and community, she received music lessons that introduced her to classical composers like Bach who remained with her and influenced her music throughout her life. She loved the way his music began softly and then tumbled to thunder, like her mother's preaching, and in much the same way as her career. During her first performances under the name of Nina Simone her voice was rich and sweet but as the Civil Rights Movement gained steam, Nina's voice soon became a thunderous roar as she raised her voice in powerful protest in the fight against racial inequality and discrimination. Gr 2-6-This book begins with a little girl, Nina Simone, who has a gift and a passion for music, whether gospel, jazz, or classical. As Simone grows up, she begins to notice more inequities and injustices. Her anger grows, and the focus of the book shifts to issues of the civil rights movement and Simone's role within it. Discussions of racism and resistance are undertaken with a skillful hand, not exceeding the tone or maturity level appropriate for young readers. Robinson's jewel-tone artwork is colorful, engaging, and complements Todd's lyrical text, supporting comprehension and revealing additional details about the time. For example, in one of the opening images, the subject's mother is hanging up laundry while chickens peck around baby Nina in a basket. The character's expressive faces add another dimension that will leave kids much to ponder. This is especially notable in a scene between two families who are segregated, where everyone is hurt by this unjust separation. This title would support curricular units on civil rights, biography, theme, and identity. Back matter includes more details about the artist's life and her relationship to the civil rights movement. VERDICT An excellent and magnetic biography, this book is highly recommended in all elementary collections and should be considered for libraries serving older students.-Christina Salazar, Mesquite I.S.D., TXα(c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. Praise for Nina : A 2023 Texas Topaz Nonfiction Reading List Pick A 2022 Bank Street Best Children’s Book of the Year A 2022 ALA Notable Children’s Book A 2022 NCTE Orbis Pictus Award Winner A 2022 Jane Addams Children’s Book Award Finalist A 2022 ALA Rise: A Feminist Book Project List Pick A 2022 NCTE/CLA Notable Children’s Books in the Language Arts Award Winner A 2022 ILA Notable Book for a Global Society Award Winner A 2022 NCSS-CBC Notable Social Studies Trade Book Pick A 2021 Publishers Weekly Best Book A 2021 Kirkus Best Book A 2021 Horn Book Fanfare List Pick A 2021 Booklist Editors' Choice A 2021 New York Public Library Best Book Pick A 2021 Chicago Public Library Best Book Pick A 2021 Black Caucus American Library Association Best of the Best Booklist Pick ★ “Nina Simone's beauty and talent is given prominent expression by multiaward-winning Robinson in this picture-book biography . . . while Todd's prose eloquently tells her story from childhood to fame . . . A worthy biography for all collections and especially for those that serve music-loving children.” — Booklist , starred review ★ “Todd’s telling shines in this skillfully paced portrait of Eunice Kathleen Waymon (1933-2003)—more widely known by her stage name of Nina Simone—which traces her journey from a piano-playing child in North Carolina to later years as a performer, protest song pioneer, and civil rights activist. . . An engaging, affecting, and powerful biography that aptly situates Simone’s enduring legacy in musical and social history.” — Publisher’s Weekly , starred review ★ “Todd’s musical prose allows readers into Nina’s perspective, and Robinson’s scenes and portraits absolutely sing with energy , keeping pace perfectly with the text. . . Do not miss this complex story of an American legend.” — Kirkus Reviews , starred review ★ “Some storytellers use words to entertain listeners and readers, while others share their tales in song. Nina: A Story of Nina Simone gracefully brings the life of one such legendary musician into readers’ hearts. . . Traci N. Todd’s straightforward narration is honest and candid . . . [and] fans of Caldecott Honor illustrator Christian Robinson ( Last Stop on Market Street, The Bench ) will immediately recognize the bold, distinct shapes that are his hallmark. Robinson outdoes himself here . . . reflecting on the strength, hope a