Mama Africa!: How Miriam Makeba Spread Hope with Her Song

"Mama Africa!: How Miriam Makeba Spread Hope with Her Song" is a powerful picture-book biography that captures the spirit and courage of Miriam Makeba, the Grammy Award-winning South African singer known affectionately as Mama Africa. Published on October 10, 2017, by National Book Award winner Kathryn Erskine, this book takes young readers on a journey through the life of a remarkable woman who used her musical talent to fight against the oppressive apartheid system. With vibrant, compelling illustrations by Charly Palmer, the narrative is set in a lively present tense, bringing to life Makeba’s performances in jazz clubs of Johannesburg, her rallying cries beside Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and her impactful speeches at the United Nations. Ideal for elementary school readers, this biography not only delves into the domain of racial justice but also serves as an inspiring testament to how the power of voice and music can ignite change in the world.