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A Band of Angels
Based on the life of Ella Sheppard Moore, this glowing picture book tells the story of a determined and resilient singing group with a lasting legacy.
A loving narrator shares the story of her great-grandmother Ella with her niece. Ella, the daughter of a slave, and the Jubilee Singers traveled all over the world singing the old sorrow songs, the songs of slavery. Their hard work raised funds to keep their college open and pave the way for thousands of students. This luminous, lyrical story is a poignant reminder that the old spirituals, or jubilee songs, stood for hope and freedom.
A loving narrator shares the story of her great-grandmother Ella with her niece. Ella, the daughter of a slave, and the Jubilee Singers traveled all over the world singing the old sorrow songs, the songs of slavery. Their hard work raised funds to keep their college open and pave the way for thousands of students. This luminous, lyrical story is a poignant reminder that the old spirituals, or jubilee songs, stood for hope and freedom.
40 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1999
2 people are currently reading
125 people want to read
About the author
Deborah Hopkinson
97 books370 followersI write nonfiction and historical fiction, picture books, and Golden Books. I speak at school, libraries, and conferences. I also love to garden and offer manuscript critiques. (Deborahhopkinson@yahoo.com)
NEW books in 2024 include DETERMINED DREAMER: THE STORY OF MARIE CURIE, illus by Jen Hill, ON A SUMMER NIGHT, illus by Kenard Pak, TRIM HELPS OUT and TRIM SAILS the STORM, illus by Kristy Caldwell, EVIDENCE! illustrated by Nik Henderson, and a nonfiction work called THEY SAVED THE STALLIONS. I'm delighted to say that Trim Helps Out, Trim Sails the Storm, On a Summer Night and Evidence! are all Junior Library Guild selections.
I live and work in Oregon and travel all over to speak to young readers and writers.
NEW books in 2024 include DETERMINED DREAMER: THE STORY OF MARIE CURIE, illus by Jen Hill, ON A SUMMER NIGHT, illus by Kenard Pak, TRIM HELPS OUT and TRIM SAILS the STORM, illus by Kristy Caldwell, EVIDENCE! illustrated by Nik Henderson, and a nonfiction work called THEY SAVED THE STALLIONS. I'm delighted to say that Trim Helps Out, Trim Sails the Storm, On a Summer Night and Evidence! are all Junior Library Guild selections.
I live and work in Oregon and travel all over to speak to young readers and writers.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
December 3, 2022
A really lovely fictionalized story of the Fisk Jubilee Singers. Their impact on American music, especially the way they recorded and saved spirituals, makes this book worth reading. The story is compellingly told and beautifully illustrated here. Advent is a special time for spirituals, and this picture book is a fitting way to bring those themes into children's lives.
June 3, 2019
This was an absolutely beautiful picture book detailing the struggles that the Jubilee Singers underwent. From getting to school, to their school being threatened to shut down, to not being hired by northerners, they almost give up--until Ella breaks out into a slave song. It's radical, empowering, and absolutely eaten up by audiences. Discussing topics such as segregation and racism, this book is as educational as it is enchanting. With Colon's usual detailed illustrations and delicate narrative, together they make for a powerful piece of art. Great for children interested in the arts and learning about travelling artists from the past. Perfect for grades 1-4.
Review cross-listed here!
Review cross-listed here!
March 4, 2021
Aside from this being a wonderful gift to give to a child if you are looking for books highlighting diversity, equal rights, why Black Lives matter, A BAND OF ANGELS: A STORY INSPIRED BY THE JUBILEE SINGERS by Deborah Hopkinson (illustrated by Raul Colon), is a wonderful, based-on-true-history book for any child to read or have read to her/him. Along the way, the adult reader might learn some Black history that you weren't aware of too. I certainly did!
The book is written with a specific narrator - a child who beings with, "My Aunt Beth calls herself a treasure-keeper. Her treasures are the stories about our family she keeps in her heart. Of all these treasures, my favorite is the story of my great-great-grandmother Ella." This is the aunt who was born into slavery, who (after the Civil War ended) heard about a place in Nashville called Fisk School where blacks could get an education, and who decided she'd try to get in even though she had no money to pay for it. She was able to work hard enough to earn money enough to eventually enroll at the the school, was doing well, and then it looked like the school would have to close because their buildings were so old that they were beginning to fall apart. Since Ella and several others, while taking classes, were deeply into music - all kinds of it - they volunteered to organize concerts to raise money.
This children's book is amazing in its story about how the Jubilee Singers became so successful that they saved the school that would eventually become Fisk University - where at the time this book was first published, the great-granddaughter of Ella Sheppard, the woman who inspired the writing of this book, was a librarian who gladly shared the history of those singers with visitors. This and other info about the history behind Deborah Hopkinson's A BAND OF ANGELS can be gleaned at the end of the book, in the author's note.
What a powerful message this book can give to a child, actually to anyone. About equality, about striving to make a better life, about how Black Lives do matter - which is to say, they matter just as much as all other lives matter too. And in the end, the music by the Angels' that mattered to so many others was only what Whites usually listened to - when the group tried to earn money via singing only what they thought white concert attendees would want to hear, they weren't bringing in much cash. EVERYONE wanted to hear the beautiful songs of their origins!
I highly recommend Ella Sheppard's A BAND OF ANGELS - for kids and the adults who might read the story to them. I rated it at 5-stars because it is an excellent, inspiring tale about a time and and some people who have have been mostly overlooked by history.
The book is written with a specific narrator - a child who beings with, "My Aunt Beth calls herself a treasure-keeper. Her treasures are the stories about our family she keeps in her heart. Of all these treasures, my favorite is the story of my great-great-grandmother Ella." This is the aunt who was born into slavery, who (after the Civil War ended) heard about a place in Nashville called Fisk School where blacks could get an education, and who decided she'd try to get in even though she had no money to pay for it. She was able to work hard enough to earn money enough to eventually enroll at the the school, was doing well, and then it looked like the school would have to close because their buildings were so old that they were beginning to fall apart. Since Ella and several others, while taking classes, were deeply into music - all kinds of it - they volunteered to organize concerts to raise money.
This children's book is amazing in its story about how the Jubilee Singers became so successful that they saved the school that would eventually become Fisk University - where at the time this book was first published, the great-granddaughter of Ella Sheppard, the woman who inspired the writing of this book, was a librarian who gladly shared the history of those singers with visitors. This and other info about the history behind Deborah Hopkinson's A BAND OF ANGELS can be gleaned at the end of the book, in the author's note.
What a powerful message this book can give to a child, actually to anyone. About equality, about striving to make a better life, about how Black Lives do matter - which is to say, they matter just as much as all other lives matter too. And in the end, the music by the Angels' that mattered to so many others was only what Whites usually listened to - when the group tried to earn money via singing only what they thought white concert attendees would want to hear, they weren't bringing in much cash. EVERYONE wanted to hear the beautiful songs of their origins!
I highly recommend Ella Sheppard's A BAND OF ANGELS - for kids and the adults who might read the story to them. I rated it at 5-stars because it is an excellent, inspiring tale about a time and and some people who have have been mostly overlooked by history.
July 1, 2024
Unsurprisingly, this reminds me of Harlem's Little Blackbird: The Story of Florence Mills (because it's a very similar story), but—and this surprised me—this is noted as being fictional in the afterword. It feels like the slightest effort to make it purely nonfictional, so why not? (unless the fiction is the "my Aunt Beth told me" bit, which... that feels like it could've been left out)
It's a beautiful book, otherwise, and very respectful of the material. Recommended for spiritual music/history fans!
It's a beautiful book, otherwise, and very respectful of the material. Recommended for spiritual music/history fans!
October 27, 2019
I loved this book! It was so fun getting to read this historical fiction book on the jubilee singers. It was a great book, and I felt as if I was also there hearing the story about the girl's relative who became a jubilee singer. I liked how it was based off of real events in life. That was neat and this is a great book! I enjoyed reading of the girl's long journey to save the school from shutting down. It was heart-warming. I also love how the pictures and the text worked together to tell the story. All-together this is a great story and I would share this with my future students.
(Book Selection Assignment)
(Book Selection Assignment)
June 29, 2021
A Band of Angels is a well researched, fictionalized telling of Ella Sheppard Moore's story. An author's note at the end of the book says, "Ella Sheppard was the pianist for the Jubilee Singers on their historic concert tours, which raised enough money to save [Fisk] school and build Jubilee Hall, the first permanent structure in the South for the education of black students." The Jubilee Singers are also credited as being influential in the preservation of Jubilee Songs and their "rich musical tradition".
I thoroughly enjoyed this touching, inspirational book. Though it's reading level is closer to a third grade level, content-wise it's accessible for ages 6+. Highly recommend.
I thoroughly enjoyed this touching, inspirational book. Though it's reading level is closer to a third grade level, content-wise it's accessible for ages 6+. Highly recommend.
March 22, 2018
This is based on a true story about a girl who was freed from slavery and who worked hard to go to music school.
Ages: 5 - 9
Cleanliness: conversation topics: parents may want to know that this books brings up slavery and racism (skin color).
**Like my reviews? I also have hundreds of detailed reports that I offer too. These reports give a complete break-down of everything in the book, so you'll know just how clean it is or isn't. I also have Clean Guides (downloadable PDFs) which enable you to clean up your book before reading it! Visit my website: The Book Radar.
Ages: 5 - 9
Cleanliness: conversation topics: parents may want to know that this books brings up slavery and racism (skin color).
**Like my reviews? I also have hundreds of detailed reports that I offer too. These reports give a complete break-down of everything in the book, so you'll know just how clean it is or isn't. I also have Clean Guides (downloadable PDFs) which enable you to clean up your book before reading it! Visit my website: The Book Radar.
November 19, 2019
Genre Biography Grade 3-5
Within the book it had been a girl named Ella who had wanted so desperately to the music school. Though she had to work a lot to be able to be at the school. Later, the school had been burned down. So the students had decided to raise money by singing to help build the school back up. Having read this, I understand that being college students we often have to work are way through school by how it is very expensive. Thought in the long run it will pay off by having gone to college. Since, many jobs want employers to have a college degree.
Within the book it had been a girl named Ella who had wanted so desperately to the music school. Though she had to work a lot to be able to be at the school. Later, the school had been burned down. So the students had decided to raise money by singing to help build the school back up. Having read this, I understand that being college students we often have to work are way through school by how it is very expensive. Thought in the long run it will pay off by having gone to college. Since, many jobs want employers to have a college degree.
August 10, 2022
I wasn't aware of the Jubilee Singers of the Fisk School. This book brought their accomplishment to light for me and I have to say that I am aware of some of the spirituals that they introduced to audiences all over the world. It's ironic that they saved Fisk and brought in so much money but didn't get to graduate from Fisk. I mean, the honorary degree in 1978 is a nice gesture, but very late and undoubtedly posthumous for all the recipients. Still, I'm glad this book brought their accomplishments to light.
December 1, 2017
Historical Fiction
Grades 3-5
This wonderful story about the coming of the Jubilee Singers was heartwarming and the illustrations were beautiful!This book would be wonderful for not only the average classroom, and more specifically could make learning about slaves and older music more interesting to the kids. I really loved the way the author wrote the facts in a story form that honestly could be inspiring to a young child and even a college student in the shoes of the main character. You really can accoplish anything if you put your all into it.
Grades 3-5
This wonderful story about the coming of the Jubilee Singers was heartwarming and the illustrations were beautiful!This book would be wonderful for not only the average classroom, and more specifically could make learning about slaves and older music more interesting to the kids. I really loved the way the author wrote the facts in a story form that honestly could be inspiring to a young child and even a college student in the shoes of the main character. You really can accoplish anything if you put your all into it.
January 9, 2021
A beautiful story that I did not know I needed to know until after I read it. Honestly, I had not given thought to the foundation of many universities; I knew of the rough outlines of the founding of a few. But this story of Fisk University? Saved by the lyrical voices of what became known as the Jubilee Singers? Sharing the gospel songs of slavery? Wow. Wow. Wow. Raúl Colón’s illustrations were the PERFECT accompaniment to this powerful telling of an important piece of history.
March 22, 2021
Genre: Historical Fiction
Grade: 2-5
I love that this historical fiction book is so closely tied to the original story. It is a great story to really analyze to find what is fact and what is fiction. It really focuses on the theme of working hard and together for education. The Jubliee Singers had to overcome many obstacles especially soon after the Civil War. I would definitely play some of the songs mentioned in the book if I were reading this aloud to students.
Grade: 2-5
I love that this historical fiction book is so closely tied to the original story. It is a great story to really analyze to find what is fact and what is fiction. It really focuses on the theme of working hard and together for education. The Jubliee Singers had to overcome many obstacles especially soon after the Civil War. I would definitely play some of the songs mentioned in the book if I were reading this aloud to students.
April 15, 2021
The story of the Jubilee Singers told through the eyes of a great-great granddaughter of one of the original singers. Well told story based on historical facts, but it lacks that "wow this was amazing" or "I feel like I'm there" factor.
Read this to my 6 y.o. son as a recommended "extra" book for Sonlight HBL K. It was easy to read aloud in one sitting. The illustrations are realistic enough (not cartoony at all), but nothing special.
Read this to my 6 y.o. son as a recommended "extra" book for Sonlight HBL K. It was easy to read aloud in one sitting. The illustrations are realistic enough (not cartoony at all), but nothing special.
April 19, 2021
Grade Level: Pre-K-4
Genre: Historical Fiction
I love the storyline of this book. I liked how this book was inspired by Jubilee Singers. I enjoyed looking at the pictures. This book was about a girl who loved to sing. She joined a choir and they had trouble with being able to show off their gift of singing. This would be a great book to teach kids about determination and being able to share their talents.
Genre: Historical Fiction
I love the storyline of this book. I liked how this book was inspired by Jubilee Singers. I enjoyed looking at the pictures. This book was about a girl who loved to sing. She joined a choir and they had trouble with being able to show off their gift of singing. This would be a great book to teach kids about determination and being able to share their talents.
January 15, 2017
The story of a touring choir of singers who raised money to build Fisk College. The singers themselves never ended up earning their degrees, but they made the way for those who came after them.
At first, they sang what they thought the audience wanted and receipts were dismal. When they started singing spirituals, they became a hit.
At first, they sang what they thought the audience wanted and receipts were dismal. When they started singing spirituals, they became a hit.
November 7, 2017
Genre: Historical Fiction
Grade Range: 4-6
Review:
I could mostly seeing this book being shared in a choir or music class because it is mostly about singing. I think it will be very helpful tool when teaching children about the history of music and how it changed. There were also some classic songs included from that time which could lead to some singing of those older songs.
Grade Range: 4-6
Review:
I could mostly seeing this book being shared in a choir or music class because it is mostly about singing. I think it will be very helpful tool when teaching children about the history of music and how it changed. There were also some classic songs included from that time which could lead to some singing of those older songs.
November 18, 2019
Biography
3rd-5th grade
I really enjoyed hearing about Ella through the perspective of Aunt Beth. I love the lesson tied into the book, that if we work hard for what we want we can make our dreams come true. The things we want don’t always come easy, but if we persevere we can make it through. I love the passion and drive Ella had for music and for wanting to keep the school open.
3rd-5th grade
I really enjoyed hearing about Ella through the perspective of Aunt Beth. I love the lesson tied into the book, that if we work hard for what we want we can make our dreams come true. The things we want don’t always come easy, but if we persevere we can make it through. I love the passion and drive Ella had for music and for wanting to keep the school open.
February 20, 2022
Tells the story of the birth of the Jubilee Singers, a group of former slaves and a man who wanted to start a school for them. When the school building becomes uninhabitable, they go on the road hoping to raise money for a new building by singing. Through persecution and hard times they finally raised enough money to save the school which is now Fisk University.
November 1, 2022
Genre: Historical Fiction
Grade Range: 2-6
This story has all of the elements of a great historical fiction text. This tells the true story of the formation of the Jubilee Singers through the eyes of one of the members. She and her classmates overcame such adversity and never gave up on their futures. This story left me feeling so awed by these history changers.
Grade Range: 2-6
This story has all of the elements of a great historical fiction text. This tells the true story of the formation of the Jubilee Singers through the eyes of one of the members. She and her classmates overcame such adversity and never gave up on their futures. This story left me feeling so awed by these history changers.
December 3, 2017
4-6; historical fiction; This book is phenomenal to have when discussing the history of music in a choir class. It could also be used as an element in a history lesson in general. It also could be tied into teaching the concept of perseverance and how it pays off!
July 15, 2019
Beautiful picture book inspired by the Jubilee Singers. A group of black students, mostly born slaves, go on a singing tour to help keep their school alive. Years later they became famous for introducing spirituals to the world.
February 9, 2021
As a singer, I have always loved to sing spirituals, so I knew this book would have a special place in my heart. The illustrations are beautiful in this book! Once again, a great story of how dreams can be achieved by being determined and staying true to yourself.
August 7, 2018
A wonderfully done presentation of the Jubilee singers. Written for children, it does shy away from harsh truths, and includes historical notes about the singers.
May 27, 2022
Absolutely incredible story!
May 24, 2023
Freed enslaved black woman wants to go to school to learn music. Starts black choir. Mulit gen story.
December 21, 2023
Wonderful story of the Jubilee Singers.
November 11, 2025
A beautiful story, well illustrated, in which you can almost hear the singing.
February 12, 2017
A Band of Angels: A Story Inspired by the Jubilee Singers is a beautiful story recounting an important piece of American history. Written as if it were an old family story, handed down through generations in the African American oral tradition, now being told to a child by her favorite aunt, the warmth of connection is easy to feel in this book.
A Band of Angels: A Story Inspired by the Jubilee Singers wins the Self-Rescuing Princess Society seal of approval for addressing the plain truths about post-slavery racism head-on, but in a way that small children can handle. The struggles of the Jubilee Singers, their optimism, their near-failure, and then their stumbling on the key to their success is an excellent lesson in the importance of hope and determination. This book is good for middle grade readers to enjoy on their own, or for smaller children to read with an adult.
Read the full review: https://selfrescuingprincesssociety.b...
A Band of Angels: A Story Inspired by the Jubilee Singers wins the Self-Rescuing Princess Society seal of approval for addressing the plain truths about post-slavery racism head-on, but in a way that small children can handle. The struggles of the Jubilee Singers, their optimism, their near-failure, and then their stumbling on the key to their success is an excellent lesson in the importance of hope and determination. This book is good for middle grade readers to enjoy on their own, or for smaller children to read with an adult.
Read the full review: https://selfrescuingprincesssociety.b...
November 9, 2010
Author: Deborah Hopkinson
Publisher and Date: Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 1999
Summary: The narrator’s Aunt Beth tells the story about her Great Grandma Ella. Grandma Ella was born into slavery, and later became a Jubilee singer. Aunt Beth explains how she became apart of the Jubilee Singers and saved money for their school, Fisk University. Deborah Hopkinson shares a story about the time period after the Civil War and the right to an education.
Review: While providing an insight to what life was like for African Americans after the Civil War, this was based on Ella Sheppard Moore. The story is told from a current period of time but looks back at a specific time period after the Civil War. Hopkinson brings warmth and cheerfulness to a story being told from one generation to the next. The narrator frequently chimes in to add hopeful and informational details. For example she narrator interrupts Aunt Beth, “But the chorus sang the old slave songs too, didn’t they?” Aunt Beth responds to her laughing that that part comes later. Although this can be a heavy topic for children, it is written with a tone of joy and hopefulness. The inside cover shares a wealth of information about the Jubilee Singers in 1871.
Publisher and Date: Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 1999
Summary: The narrator’s Aunt Beth tells the story about her Great Grandma Ella. Grandma Ella was born into slavery, and later became a Jubilee singer. Aunt Beth explains how she became apart of the Jubilee Singers and saved money for their school, Fisk University. Deborah Hopkinson shares a story about the time period after the Civil War and the right to an education.
Review: While providing an insight to what life was like for African Americans after the Civil War, this was based on Ella Sheppard Moore. The story is told from a current period of time but looks back at a specific time period after the Civil War. Hopkinson brings warmth and cheerfulness to a story being told from one generation to the next. The narrator frequently chimes in to add hopeful and informational details. For example she narrator interrupts Aunt Beth, “But the chorus sang the old slave songs too, didn’t they?” Aunt Beth responds to her laughing that that part comes later. Although this can be a heavy topic for children, it is written with a tone of joy and hopefulness. The inside cover shares a wealth of information about the Jubilee Singers in 1871.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews