Strange Fruit: Billie Holiday and the Power of a Protest Song

By Gary Golio and Charlotte Riley-Webb

The audience was completely silent the first time Billie Holiday performed a song called "Strange Fruit." In the 1930s, Billie was known as a performer of jazz and blues music, but this song wasn't either of those things. It was a song about injustice, and it would change her life forever.

Discover how two outsiders—Billie Holiday, a young black woman raised in poverty, and Abel Meeropol, the son of Jewish immigrants—combined their talents to create a song that challenged racism and paved the way for the Civil Rights movement.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lerner Publishing
• Release date: Feb 1, 2017
• ISBN: 9781512438635

Gary Golio

Gary Golio is the New York Times bestselling author of Jimi: Sounds Like a Rainbow, A Story of the Young Jimi Hendrix. He has also counseled children and teens in the area of addiction. Gary lives with his wife, the author Susanna Reich, in Ossining, New York. To learn more, please visit www.garygolio.com.

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Reviews for Strange Fruit

[lvstrongpuff · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is a picture book for older children that is a short, but true account of the life of Billie Holiday. We learn about how her life started, she became a singer, and how a poem written by a high school teacher is set to music and sung by Billie Holiday turns into a beautifully haunting protest song. The art is amazing and the story is strong enough to hold not only older children's, adult's attention.

[sweetiegherkin · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

In the late 1930s, Billie Holiday is singing in nightclubs that are segregated and unhappy about the racial injustices she sees around her when she is approached with a request to sing a new song titled "Strange Fruit."This book was an interesting read and while I am no means an expert on the topic of Billie Holiday's life, I did know a little about her and the history of "Strange Fruit" prior to reading this. Therefore, I was wondering how this book for young readers would address some of the more difficult topics in this case. Turns out that the answer to that question is a combination of laying down hard truths (e.g., the problem of lynchings) versus some fairly coded language to keep the story age-appropriate to some degree (e.g., "a terrible thing [was] done to her" in reference to an attempted rape that Billie experienced as a young child). That is not to say the book is done poorly; in fact, quite the opposite is true. It is compelling, emotional, and gives a clear enough view of the issues without being relentlessly and overly upsetting. Still, it is probably not best for the youngest readers (e.g., preschoolers) but for those a little older. The illustrations are remarkably wonderful, with bold colors and brush strokes that evoke strong emotions and feelings.The book ends with some historical notes / additional information about Billie Holiday, the song "Strange Fruit," and the historical context. Source and a bibliography are provided for those who want to learn more.

[cay250 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

The illustration by Charlotte Riley-Webb is what sells this book. I note the sanitize treatment of Billie's sexual abuse. Geared towards grades 4-6.

[cherybear · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Really applaud the putting of this song and story into a picture book. Billie Holiday is one of my favorite singers, and the story of her short life is a sad one. I didn't know the history of the song, being written by a high school teacher, who happened to be Jewish. The book isn't just about the song, but about Billie, her life, and racism in America. Well done!

[melodyreads · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

this is focused specifically on Billie and her protest song - what a story!!!