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Bea Breaks Barriers!

Name: Bea Breaks Barriers!
Price: 10.99 USD
Availability: InStock
Author: Caitlin DeLems
ISBN: 9781662680656

Ebook

Published on Oct 29, 2024 | 48 Pages

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Published on Oct 29, 2024 | 48 Pages

Buy from Other Retailers:

2025 NCSS-CBC Notable Social Studies Book Winner

Here is the little-known story of Florence Beatrice “Bea” Price, who faced many obstacles, including systemic racism and sexism, as she pushed forward to become one of the greatest Black classical composers.

Florence Beatrice “Bea” Price loved music from a young age. When she wasn’t practicing on the piano, she tapped her feet, drummed her fingers, and whistled. Growing up in Little Rock, Arkansas, she was surrounded by Negro spirituals, classical music, Juba dance rhythms, and folk songs and even had the chance to play piano with John William “Blind” Boone. But as a young Black girl living in the South, Bea wasn’t offered the same chances as white children. Not allowed to perform in public, Bea’s first recital was in her living room. But Bea was not deterred. She studied hard, rose to the top of her class, and was accepted to the New England Conservatory of Music—one of two Black students—and majored in both music and composition. Bea never forgot her roots and wove all kinds of musical genres into her musical compositions and spirituals.

A Bank Street Best Book 2025
2025 Kansas NEA Reading Circle List

“A tribute to the perseverance of an underrecognized Black composer…Bea Price’s contributions to the musical world surely warrant a biography, and this one makes a strong case for her impressive body of music. Relying on a pastel palette and precise period details, Engel’s delicate illustrations bring both warmth and energy to the narrative. A much-needed account.” – Kirkus Reviews

“Readers enticed by this remembrance to seek out [Price’s] music won’t be disappointed.” –Booklist

“The book celebrates Price’s awe-inspiring determination and talent, offering a compelling look at a woman who broke barriers in classical music. VERDICT This is an engaging introduction to an important, often overlooked figure in Black history and a great choice for children’s music education or Women’s or Black History Month.” – School Library Journal

“Through snappy sentences and sonorous diction, DeLems imbues this text with musicality, while Engel’s acrylic and oil paintings emphasize movement and light in a biography that zooms in on the figure’s career triumphs.” —Publishers Weekly

ISBN9781662680656

Published onOct 29, 2024

Published byCalkins Creek

Pages48

Dimensions10 x 11

Age Range7-10 years

GradeGrades 2-5

Reading LevelLexile: 770L | Fountas/Pinnell: T

Author

Caitlin DeLems

Caitlin DeLems enjoys playing piano and violin, and she loves the magic of symphony concert halls. Caitlin has carved out a niche writing history picture books about unknown but determined female musicians and composers. Her debut title Pitch Perfect and Persistent! earned a Kirkus Reviews starred review. Visit caitlindelems.com.

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Illustrator

Tonya Engel

Tonya Engel is an award-winning artist and Illustrator of more than 30 children’s books, many of which feature Black women in history. Her titles include Because Claudette by Tracey Baptiste, Hidden Figures: The True Story of Four Black Women and the Space Race by Margot Lee Shetterly, Rise! From Cages Bird to Poet of the People, Maya Angelou by Bethany Hegedus, A Voice Named Aretha by Katheryn Russell-Brown, Ida B. Wells, Voice of Truth by Michelle Duster, and many others. In addition to children’s books, Tonya’s art can be found on prints, greeting cards, and textiles. Visit tonyaengel.com.

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Bea Breaks Barriers!

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By Caitlin DeLemsIllustrated by Tonya Engel