Levy takes readers on a whirlwind tour of African American history from slavery through President Obama's election, with highlights on the march toward civil rights reflected in the evolving words of the song "We Shall Overcome." At its best, this title directs listeners to take notice of the way new stages in the civil rights movement influence subtle changes in the lyrics of the song: "They brought a church song, I Will Overcome,' to the streets. But since they marching and working together, they sang We Will Overcome.' We, together, will overcome." So powerful was the song, Levy observes, that freedom movements around the world adopted it as well, from Bangladesh and South Africa to Czechoslovakia to South Korea. Unfortunately, unsourced details of the song's international performance are shuffled into an annotated timeline in the end matter, undercutting the song's supposed impact. Digital and mixed-media artwork sports considerable energy in composition, but there's an awkward flatness in the portraiture. Sources aligned to the lyrical change-ups are included, as a list of recordings (several available on the Internet) and a list for further reading. EB—BCCB

The power of song to bolster courage, combat bigotry, and effect change courses through this dramatization of the civil rights movement. The lyrics to several variations of "We Shall Overcome" serve as a backdrop to Levy's fluid free verse, which opens "Back in slavery times" as slaves sang "to soothe the hurt, to fight the cruelty." Levy (The Year of Goodbyes) moves quickly through the Civil War to the mid-20th century, when African-Americans began protesting "unfairness, hate, and violence," and "brought a church song, I Will Overcome,' to the streets." ("We" soon replaced "I.") The Freedom Singers' national tour, the 1963 March on Washington, and President Johnson's televised 1965 speech evoking the song's message and words are among the pivotal events mentioned. Brantley-Newton (Let Freedom Sing) counterbalances the stark inequalities Levy highlights with brightly colored collagelike images that portray Americans of all colors standing and singing together. A timeline follows the evolution of "We Shall Overcome," citing its role in specific protests, to close out this enlightening and inspiring book. Ages 5 up.—PW

An inviting introduction to a spirited and spiritual anthem. Levy traces the evolution of this iconic song from its beginnings as black church music during slavery through its emergence as a labor protest song in the 1940s to its stirring place of pride in the civil rights movement at lunch counters, on picket lines and at the Lincoln Memorial during the March on Washington. President Lyndon Johnson invoked its words prior to the passage of the 1965 Voting Rights Act. So powerful were the music and words that they later traveled to East Germany, South Africa, India and Czechoslovakia. It is still being sung today, as it was on the day that Barak Obama was elected. The free-verse text is informative and engaging. Equally effective is the mixed-media and collage design from Brantley-Newton, which depicts men, women and children holding hands and raising their many voices as one. Their multihued faces and colorful attire stand out against a white background decorated with soft, marbled swirls of color. Verses of the song, presented in bold type, provide visual appeal and should encourage children to listen to the many recordings available and sing along. A slice of musical Americana celebrating community protest against injustice. (timeline, sources, recommended Web recordings, bibliography) (Informational picture book. 6-10)—Kirkus

This powerful book uses the evolution of the titular protest song to trace the history of slavery, segregation, and the civil rights movement in the U.S.-and beyond. The free-verse narrative adopts the rousing tones of African American preachers and leaders: "Back in slavery times- / when enslaved people worked long days / with no pay and no say, / no freedom, no fairness, / no choice and no chance- / the people sang." Meanwhile, the bold typeface rising over the slaves' heads depicts early versions of the lyrics. The narrative then shifts to the Civil War, lunch counter boycotts, the march on Washington, and so on. The digital and mixed-media artwork showcase important crises in slavery, segregation, and the civil rights movement, all the way up to the inauguration of President Obama. Most intriguingly, the book concludes by showing how countries all over the world have adopted the song for their own freedom struggles. An innovative capturing of history through the lens of a song and a passionate affirmation of human rights. - Connie Fletcher—Booklist