Singing Justice, Singing Peace

Joan Baez’s commitment to peace and justice provides the driving force of this impassioned biography from Brown and Mendoza… . Moving quickly through Baez’s early years, crisp narration pinpoints the gift of a ukulele as a turning point for the would-be singer. Determining that “music could move people’s hearts, minds, and feet toward a path of justice and peace,” the subject is soon performing at coffee shops, clubs, and folk festivals, and pivotal figures including Odetta, Bob Dylan, and Martin Luther King, Jr. provide inspiration and chances for collaboration. Rendered with ink and colored digitally with warm tones, retro-style illustrations are composed like elaborate murals, across which sinuous and feathery adornments connect different vignettes. When Baez opens her mouth to sing, multicolored paisley spills forth—“giving listeners the courage and light to fight for justice”—in a portrait that stirringly foregrounds Baez’s political preoccupations. – Publishers Weekly * 2/9/2026 *
Examining the life of musician-activist Joan Baez, this biography follows Baez from childhood to adulthood and her induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Mendoza’s vibrant and dynamic illustrations bring to life the events described, including a childhood move to Iraq and an adult Baez’s participation in the Civil Rights Movement and anti–Vietnam War protests. This book would pair well with units examining any of the causes Baez championed. Back matter includes a short list of sources and an author’s note expanding on the trajectory of Baez’s life. A solid offering for elementary readers, who might be inspired by Baez to use their own voices and find causes they care about. – School Library Journal * 12/12/25 *
This lovely tribute to singer, songwriter, and human rights activist Joan Baez teaches young audiences how this cultural icon used her singing voice to speak out… . Detailed, swirling ink and mixed-media illustrations portray the whirlwind of the times, adding contextual details to enrich the text. This marvelous biography … instill[s] in readers the power of collaboration and social responsibility. – Booklist * January 2026 Issue *
A picture-book celebration of folk singer and activist Joan Baez. Brown covers her subject’s youthful empathy (modeled by her principled parents, immigrants from Mexico and Scotland); her struggles with identity (as a child, she was bullied for her Latine heritage but also told she wasn’t “Mexican enough”); the gift of a ukulele that set Baez on a musical path; her life-changing exposure to the music of Pete Seeger and other folkies; her post–high school move to Boston, where she got her start playing at clubs; and the steady professional climb that led to performances at 1963’s March on Washington and other large-scale social-justice gatherings. Often flanking images of Baez are flower motifs, abstract swirls, and other bold imagery. Young readers will applaud … . – Kirkus * November 1, 2025 *

Monica Brown is the award-winning author of more than thirty picture books for children, including Frida and her Animalitos, Waiting for the Biblioburro, Marisol McDonald Doesn’t Match, and the Lola Levine chapter book series, inspired by her Peruvian and Jewish heritage. She is the recipient of two Américas Awards, a Pura Belpré Honor, and The Christopher Award, among others.

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