Nina (A Story of Nina Simone) by Traci N. Todd
A Review By: SS
This illuminating and defining biography, adapted for audio, tells the story of little Eunice who grew up to become the acclaimed singer Nina Simone and her bold, defiant, and exultant legacy.
Born Eunice Kathleen Waymon in small-town North Carolina, Nina Simone was a musical child. She sang before she talked and learned to play piano at a very young age. With the support of her family and community, she received music lessons that introduced her to classical composers like Bach who remained with her and influenced her music throughout her life. She loved the way his music began softly and then tumbled to thunder, like her mother's preaching, and in much the same way as her career.
During her first performances under the name of Nina Simone, her voice was rich and sweet, but as the Civil Rights Movement gained steam, Nina's voice soon became a thunderous roar as she raised her voice in powerful protest in the fight against racial inequality and discrimination.
Review Notes:
Audio Book Publication Year: 2021
An installment in a Series? No
Narrator (s): Jade Wheeler
This story was a beautiful tribute to Nina Simone. Readers of all ages will enjoy this story with its great attention to the details of how Eunice Kathleen Waymon became Nina Simone. The author told how Nina had a great love for music that was supported and nurtured by her family and community and how that support helped her develop her skills as a singer and pianist. Young readers will learn about challenges Nina faced as a child and again as an adult based on social injustices at the time but refused to give up and worked to achieve her dreams and goals. They will be inspired to learn how she was able to use her voice to protest in the fight against racial inequality and discrimination.
I liked how topics of social injustices were addressed in a tasteful manner that could be understood by most audiences and should also lead to more in-depth conversations about civil rights, identity, and Nina Simone herself. I absolutely loved the vibrant narrations that truly brought this story to life. The narrator was expressive and held my attention throughout the story.
Reading Recommendation? Yes!
Rating: NORTH STAR RATING
Content Warnings? Human or animal loss
