Who Was Pete Seeger?

Who Was . . . ? Series

by Noel Maccarry, Stephen Marchesi (Illustrations)

Pete Seeger was an American folk musician and social activist whose outspoken songs about freedom and justice got him blacklisted from radio and TV for years.

Pete Seeger was still singing and playing the banjo for tens of thousands of fans even when he was at the age of ninety-four. Born in New York City on May 3, 1919, Pete came from a family of musicians. Despite writing and singing folk songs that all of America knows, not many kids know his name. Why? Because his ties to the Communist Party got him banned from radio and television for many years! Well-known for his civil rights activism with Martin Luther King Jr., Seeger also spearheaded efforts that cleaned up the Hudson River and made it beautiful again. His best-known songs include "Where Have All the Flowers Gone?", "If I Had a Hammer" and "Turn, Turn, Turn."

In this easy-to-read biography from the New York Times best-selling series, Pete Seeger is revealed as not just a performer but as a champion for a better world and the eighty illustrations contained in the book help bring his story to life.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, Childrens, Music, History, Biography Memoir

112 pages, Paperback

Published June 6, 2017

Reviews

[Tracy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this man's music, but never knew who he was. This is a great children's history book. Very fast read. This man even helped MLK Jr.

[Mrs. Melaugh · Rating 4 out of 5]

This biography of folk singer Pete Seeger reveals a complex and controversial individual who used music to rally people to causes in which he believed, such as civil rights, unions, better government, and fighting pollution. Born in 1919, Seeger was introduced to folk music by his musician parents. He earned money through a hodgepodge of music-related jobs including transcribing folk songs for the Library of Congress and performing individually and as part of two groups: the Almanac Singers and the Weavers. Seeger’s uncompromising commitment to stand by his conscience despite the consequences is communicated in an age appropriate way and with explanations of the terms Communism, unions, and blacklisting. As with others in the series, despite its brevity (about one hundred pages) and black and white sketched illustrations, this book does a nice job communicating the subject’s life and legacy.

[Stephanie Tournas · Rating 4 out of 5]

The life and accomplishments of Pete Seeger are laid out in classic Who Was ...? style in this appealing biography. From his childhood, to his death, Seeger's activism and musical style are explained in the context of the events of the time. I liked that attention was paid to the McCarthy era and the blacklisting of artists and musicians: "This was not how democracy was supposed to work." Clear, engaging writing and line drawings that complement the text make this a winning title to read for school or pleasure. Back matter includes timelines and a bibliography.

[Amanda up North · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great biography subject, Pete Seeger lived an interesting life.
I'd recently done a lot of reading about him elsewhere. This Who book summarizes his 94 year life well.
I didn't always appreciate this particular author's writing style, and the illustrations were just ok. But, overall, a good intro to American Roots Music, folk music, civil rights issues, and environmental activism.
Seeger was a true activist. He took action. He cleaned up the river. He was not concerned about fame nor fortune.. but for a better land for you and me. A life story worth sharing.

[Yvonne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Pete Seeger and it was great to see that the Who Was series did a book about his amazing life. Lots of great details about being blacklisted by McCarthy, about his work for civil rights, and for the environment.

[Dan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pete Seeger was a folk song singer who inspired many people to fight for justice for all. He sang of love and cleaning up the environment. He spoke out against the way black people were treated and the Vietnam War. This is a good example of how activists spend their lives.

[Fumiko Kawamura · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I saw a cover picture of Pete, I thought I don't know this man. But actually I knew ” We shall overcome” and”Kumbaya” which he sang. Also I sing folk songs of Okinawa located in south west of Japan while playing the sanshin like banjo！Some people of Okinawa oposes the construction of US baces. So I empathized him much. Even he had threatened by lout and FBI ,he had calmly sticked to his belief like a clear stream of a river. And at Iast the times caught him.

[Nathaniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

i liked it

[Caleb · Rating 4 out of 5]

i liked it

[Lance · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic book for kids that doesn’t gloss over difficult subjects

[Karthika · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's the first time I heard his name and read his biography. His love for nature was amazing. I liked his log cabin in nature and his courage.

[Tom Costello · Rating 4 out of 5]

Children’s (young readers) book. Very good on
on Toshi btw.

[Jenni · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book with plenty of illustrations to help struggling/reluctant readers or those transitioning to chapter books. Interesting read.

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love a good kids book that explains communism and the Cold War. (In all seriousness this was great, learned a lot about him!)

[Tina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pete Seeger was a passionate artist who cared about the planet and the people who live on it.