After the Civil Rights Act desegregated public places, there was no longer a need for a place like American Beach and it slowly fell into disrepair. But her first love would always be American Beach. It's here that MaVynee was first inspired to sing, propelling her to later become a widely acclaimed opera singer who routinely performed on an international stage. Artists like Zora Neale Hurston and Ray Charles vacationed on its sunny shores. Knowing something must be done, her grandfather bought a beach that African American families could enjoy without being reminded they were second class citizens he called it American Beach. But in the days of Jim Crow, she couldn't just go to any beach-most of the beaches in Jacksonville were for whites only. Saving American Beach by Heidi Tyline King Ekua Holmes (Illustrator) This heartfelt picture book biography illustrated by the Caldecott Honoree Ekua Holmes, tells the story of MaVynee Betsch, an African American opera singer turned environmentalist and the legacy she preserved. Spanish Language Materials Toggle Dropdown.Rise: A Feminist Book Project for Ages 0-18.Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers.Outstanding Science Trade Books for Students.Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People.Little Maverick Graphic Novel Reading List.Walter Award for Outstanding Children's Literature.Tomás Rivera Mexican American Children’s Book Award.

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Nothing Else Matters by Sandra Wells