Grandpa Stops a War: A Paul Robeson story

Gr 2–5—The author, who is the granddaughter of the titular figure, recounts the story her father used to tell her about how "Grandpa Paul" stopped a war with his singing. The author includes Paul Robeson's early beginnings as a singer and the inspiration and history behind the spirituals he loved to sing before seguing to the Spanish Civil War and ending with Robeson facing the front lines of battle. The narrative emphasizes the importance of individual action ("each of us must do our part to bring peace into the world"). Brown's bright, rich colors, painted with texture, bring readers on an emotional journey, from crowds of concert-goers to destroyed towns in Spain. The book also features additional information on the Spanish Civil War, Eslanda Robeson, and Republican Captain Fernando Castillo. While the overall story features a few snapshots of major events in Robeson's life, the back matter provides readers with a stronger connection to those happenings.