Many artists, though gifted with immense talent and ambition, confront obstacles due to their outsider status. Two picture books and a memoir describe the stories of soprano Leontyne Price, gospel singer Mahalia Jackson, and ballet dancer Michaela dePrince, who overcame challenges such as discrimination and poverty. These poignant, uplifting works depict the heartache these performers endured and emphasize the soaring successes these women ultimately enjoyed.

DePrince, Michaela & Elaine DePrince. Taking Flight: From War Orphan to Star Ballerina. 249p. photos. Knopf. 2014. Tr $16.99. ISBN 9780385755115; lib. ed. $19.99. ISBN 9780385755122; ebk. $10.99. ISBN 9780385755139. LC 2013048188.

Gr 6 Up –In this moving memoir, DePrince, who in 1995 was born in war-torn Sierra Leone but went on to become an acclaimed professional ballerina, tells her story. Her struggles started early: it was discovered that she had vitiligo, a medical condition that results in blotchy, irregular patches of skin, and her biological parents both died when she was only three. DePrince was sold to an orphanage, where she was starved and abused and where she witnessed the brutal murder of her pregnant teacher, a memory that would forever haunt her. After the orphanage was bombed, DePrince and the other orphans fled to a refugee camp. When she was four years old, she and her best friend, Mia, were adopted by the same family and taken to live in the United States. Just before leaving, DePrince found a magazine photograph of a ballerina, and her dream of becoming a dancer was born. Her supportive family did everything they could to help her attain her goal, but the girl still encountered challenges, including prejudice from those who believed African American dancers to be less suited for the craft (“‘Black girls just shouldn’t be dancing ballet. They’re too athletic. They should leave the classical ballet to white girls.’”). However, she persevered and succeeded, becoming the youngest principal dancer for the Dance Theatre of Harlem and joining the Dutch National Ballet. Though the text is accessible and engaging, there are events that are glossed over or not fully fleshed out, such as details of her adopted sister’s medical problems. Overall, though, DePrince is an inspiring narrator, wise beyond her years. An uplifting story about overcoming the odds.–Stephanie Farnlacher, Trace Crossings Elementary School, Hoover, AL

Nolan, Nina. Mahalia Jackson: Walking with Kings and Queens. illus. by John Holyfield. 32p. chron. websites. HarperCollins/Amistad. Jan. 2015. Tr $17.99. ISBN 9780060879440; lib. ed. $18.89. ISBN 9780060879457. LC 2013051288.

Gr 1-2 –This charming picture book biography profiles the life of gospel singer Mahalia Jackson. Through rich, colorful acrylic illustrations and accessible, well-organized text, this work transports readers to Jackson’s world of New Orleans and Chicago as she built her career, showing how she worked as a maid before gaining success as a singer (“But singing in church raised her spirits. She felt like a peacock with her feathers all spread out.”). Nolan expertly details the main events of Jackson’s life, making even the hardships and challenges the woman encountered (lack of money, illnesses of relatives) comprehensible. At the end, a time line elaborates further on her life, describing events not mentioned in the story. Instructions to visit YouTube for footage of Jackson singing are also included. Though the book covers Jackson singing at Martin Luther King Jr’s funeral, it doesn’t focus on the racism she experienced or her involvement with the civil rights movement. Children will be captivated by this poignant, inspiring story. An excellent addition to most collections.–April Sanders, Spring Hill College, Mobile, AL

Weatherford, Carole Boston. Leontyne Price: Voice of a Century. illus. by Raul Colón. 40p. Random/Knopf. Dec. 2014. Tr $17.99. ISBN 9780375856068; lib. ed. $20.99. ebk. $10.99. ISBN 9780385392464.

Gr 2-5 – Weatherford continues to showcase groundbreaking African Americans often overlooked by history books and popular culture. World-famous opera singer Leontyne Price gets her due in this luscious picture book biography. Price’s talent and perseverance enabled her to follow in the footsteps of singer Marian Anderson and become a celebrated soprano whose wondrous voice rang through the Metropolitan Opera House in her iconic Aida role and on Broadway as a lead in Porgy and Bess. A true marriage of lyrical text and majestic illustrations, the book shines a much-needed spotlight on an important cultural figure. Colón’s earthy hues establish the tone of Price’s early years, set against the backdrop of her humble Mississippi upbringing and a childhood surrounded by supportive parents and gospel music. The watercolor and pencil drawings seem to vibrate off the page, especially in the form of rainbow-colored musical notes that often envelop the work’s subject. An author’s note includes more information on other singers for whom Price paved the way. While the exact audience for this book is hard to place, the emphasis on the performer’s predecessors (“The song of her soul soared on the breath of her ancestors.”) and mentions of segregation will tie this title into units on African American history and female pioneers. A gorgeous book in the ranks of the author’s I, Matthew Henson: Polar Explorer (Walker, 2007) and Becoming Billie Holliday (Boyds Mills, 2008).–Shelley Diaz, School Library Journal