A Band of Angels

Deborah Hopkinson and Raul Colon tell the true story of the Fisk University Jubilee Singers.  The story takes place right after the Civil War when slavery ended, and everyone could get an education.  However, the only opportunity freed slaves had was to attend Fisk School in Nashville.  The school was in dire straits and needed to raise money to build new facilities, so their choir, the Jubilee Singers, went out on tour to raise money and save the school.  After many setbacks, they began singing the songs of the slaves and sharing them with the world, which raised enough money to keep the school open.  The book tells the story of Ella, a freed slave who ends up playing the piano for the choir and introducing the idea of singing the slave songs for the audiences, rather than the standard classical pieces performed by the white musicians. 
An inspiring story of how music can bring people together, along with introducing spirituals and the music of the slaves.

A Golden Kite Award Book – awarded by the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators