Mercedes Sosa: Voice of the People

Gr 2-6–A stirring picture book biography about a singular Argentine singer who shone a spotlight on the Indigenous people and working class of her country. Mercedes Sosa (1935–2009) was born in poverty, but her musical talent gave her an opportunity to showcase her Indigenous roots. While the native Argentine culture was being slowly forgotten, she continued to perform the folk music of her people. She also used her popularity to fight for social justice. It was this work that brought her to the attention of the dictatorship and the military government that ruled her country from 1976 to 1983. She had to flee and live in exile for many years, but her voice would not be silenced. The author-illustrator’s narrative is lyrical and melodious, much like the subject of the work. Pérez-Prado’s text doesn’t shy away from the difficult truth about the Dirty War, in which many who spoke against the government were “disappeared.” Sometimes the transitions between biography and history are a little jarring, but the lilting words will push students past that. The jewel-tone, digital collage illustrations are powerful, often alternating between one page to entire spreads with a compelling effect. Back matter includes a more extensive biography, a glossary of the Spanish words sprinkled throughout, some photos, and a bibliography.