Stand Up And Sing!

Stand Up And Sing!

Juvenile nonfiction
"Pete Seeger plucks and strums his guitar. His warm, high voice
floats over the crowd. Heads begin to bob and toes to tap. Suddenly
Pete stops.
'Now, even if you have never heard this song before, you can
sing it with me,' he says.
He calls out the words. Gradually, quiet folks find their
courage, and the chorus of voices grows. Soon nearly everyone has
joined in, and Pete's voice is ringing out in harmony. His fast-
picking fingers fly over the strings as his boots bang out the rhythm.
'Everybody, sing it!' he cries.
When the music ends, people leap to their feet, clapping,
whooping, and whistling."
Susanna Reich feels she has a special affinity with Pete Seeger
for a number of reasons. Both grew up with music and political
activism in their homes. Both grew up in politically turbulent times:
he in the 1930s; she in the 1960's. She's had the great good fortune
of seeing him perform many times.
This passion for her subject gives her Stand Up and Sing! Pete
Seeger, Folk Music, and the Path to Justice a depth and intimacy
lacking in so many juvenile biographies.
Starting with the lively scenario quoted above, Reich vists the
phases of Seeger's life, showing us:
*the child who loved music and was fascinated by the communal life
style of Native Americans;
*the young adult who protested with his father, experienced Depression
hunger, and learned to play banjo;
*the singer who was blacklisted during the McCarthy era;
*the peace activist and folksinger;
*and the guy who found a unique way to bring attention to the plight
of the polluted Hudson River.
The narrative is beautifully enhanced by Adam Gustavson's
expressive, dynamic paintings. When Seeger and his father walk among
tenements, the laundry hung across the alley adds to the
authenticity. When Seeger is driving home from a concert with his
family and racists throw a rock at their car, shards of glass
practically fly off the page. When Seeger is shown learning banjo,
his face is wreathed in an inner contentment few people will ever
achieve in this lifetime.
If you grew up with Seeger's music, you have to read the book.
If you need evidence that one person can make a difference, you need
to read the book. If you have young children, grands, or other
special people in your life, you need to share the book with them.
Capiche?
On a personal note, haven't we been having an adventure here in
Maine? A little old wind storm slammed us, cutting the electricity to
more homes than the ice storm of '98. My home lost power for three
days. Some people still haven't gotten it back. Even UMaine was
closed 2 days. When it opened Wednesday the heat, light, and hot food
were such luxuries. You appreciate stuff most when you have to do
without it.
Great big shout outs go out to my fellow storm adventurers, good Joey
cat who kept me warm at home, and the line people who are putting in
the hours to get us all powered up again. Some even came from Canada.
jules hathaway


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