When I Hear Spirituals Book Review

When I Hear Spirituals
Written by Cheryl Willis Hudson
Illustrated by London Ladd
Published by Holiday House

Mom's Review

Written in verse, When I Hear Spirituals incorporates refrains from spirituals into the flow of the book. Readers see the different, deep emotions evoked in each character by the music, the history of Black Americans connected to each song, and the layers of meaning music has. The Author's Note at the end is a must-read, tracing her own relationship with spirituals, the history of the musical genre, and the meaning behind the songs. When I Hear Spirituals is itself an ode to the power music has over our souls.