R-E-S-P-E-C-T

Written by Carole Boston Weatherford · Illustrated by Frank Morrison

Discover Aretha Franklin's journey from church singer to civil rights icon.

5.8/7 Bookroo expert·4.0/5 Goodreads · 1,464 ratings

48 pages· 357 words· Est. 3 min read-aloud· AD30L

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Bookroo's summary

Explore the life of Aretha Franklin, a musical prodigy from Detroit who became the Queen of Soul. Her powerful voice not only earned her Grammy Awards and a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame spot but also became a beacon for civil rights. This vibrant picture book captures her inspiring story of talent and activism, inviting young readers to witness her legacy of music and justice.

From the publisher

From a New York Times bestselling author and an acclaimed illustrator comes this vibrant portrait of Aretha Franklin that pays her the R-E-S-P-E-C-T this Queen of Soul deserves. Aretha Franklin was born to sing. The daughter of a pastor and a gospel singer, her musical talent was clear from her earliest days in her father’s Detroit church where her soaring voice spanned more than three octaves. Her string of hit songs earned her the title “the Queen of Soul,” multiple Grammy Awards, and a place in the Rock &amp;amp; Roll Hall of Fame. But Aretha didn’t just raise her voice in song, she also spoke out against injustice and fought for civil rights. This authoritative, rhythmic picture book biography will captivate young readers with Aretha’s inspiring story.

Awards

Coretta Scott King Award (2021)

At a glance

Format: Hardcover
Pages: 48
Words: 357
Reading age: 4–8
Audience: Picture
Lexile: AD30L

Themes & topics

Books about America Books about music Books about performing arts Books about 20th century Books about girls and women

What readers & critics say

Reviews

5.8

out of 7

5.8

“The cadence of this condensed, but powerful biography of Aretha Franklin flows off the page! You hear her soulful voice in your mind as you read it, and the striking illustrations are full of emotion and vibrance. I love the one layout of the text, with one word spelled out to mimic her famous "R-E-S-P-E-C-T" followed by a rhyming couplet on each page, and the more in-depth, must-read page of info at the back of the book.”

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The author