Armstrong, Jennifer; Koertge, Ronald; Bruchac, Joseph, et. al. What a Song Can Do: 12 Riffs on the Power of Music. New York: Laurel-Leaf, 2006.

This compelling collection of stories explores the powerful impact that music has in our lives—especially in the lives of teens. Each story strikes a new note: Ron Koertge introduces us to the boys in the band—the marching band; Joseph Bruchac contributes a Native American boy with no rhythm whatsoever; Jennifer Armstrong writes about what was perhaps the first battle of the bands—during the American Civil War; and David Levithan offers up a love song that speaks powerfully to an unintended audience. But while each story is different, they combine into harmonic song of praise—for the depths music can reach in us, and the power it has to bind us together.

Verma, Sunanda and Spannuth, Carolin. Namaste, Lata Mangeshkar!: Her Voice Touches at Least a Billion Hearts. Singapore: The Indologist Pte., Ltd., 2017.

This is the absorbing story of a girl, Lata, born in a small town of India. At five years of age, she was a theater singer and artiste. At thirteen, she became the sole bread winner of her family when her father passed away. She moved cities, walked long distances and survived on cups of tea in search of work. Lata Mangeshkar went on to become one of the most famous playback singers and a woman who fought for the rights of playback singers.