New children’s book recounts Black girls breaking barriers at Peabody Preparatory

By AI, Created 5:22 PM UTC, May 18, 2026, /AGP/ – A Journey of Sacrifice and Determination follows an African American family in 1960s and 1970s Baltimore as two daughters pursue classical piano lessons at Peabody Preparatory Institute while the civil rights era reshapes daily life. The book spotlights school integration, family sacrifice and a rarely told local history tied to Woolworth’s lunch counter protests.

Why it matters: - The book highlights a local civil rights-era story about access to elite music education in Baltimore. - The narrative centers Black children and families who pursued opportunity in spaces where African American enrollment was still limited. - The story connects arts education with broader questions about segregation, equity and persistence.

What happened: - Judge Claudia Barber and Educator Marilyn Barber wrote A Journey of Sacrifice and Determination, also titled Presenting A Baltimore Family in the 1960s & 1970s. - The children’s book tells the story of an African American family in Baltimore in the 1960s and 1970s. - The family committed to giving two daughters classical piano lessons at Peabody Preparatory Institute. - During that period, African American student enrollment at Peabody Preparatory was about 5%. - The story also includes the family’s experiences around the Woolworth’s lunch counter in Baltimore.

The details: - The book places the family’s musical goals alongside marches, protests and other civil rights movement events. - The authors say the book is meant to help readers understand what it was like to grow up during civil rights unrest. - The book follows two young African American girls as they succeed in their studies at the institute. - Readers praised the book for its historical detail and personal perspective. - Cheryl Crowder called the story personal and reflective of experiences that are often left out of school history. - Pocahontas Davis called it essential reading for all ages. - Dr. Tracy Robinson-Wood said the book centers two curious children supported by parents willing to reach and aspire. - The authors are available for book talks and hands-on interactive workshops for youth groups, Career Day, school events and church events. - The authors received the Coretta Scott King Award on Monday, April 27, 2026, in Annapolis, Maryland, from the Caucus of African American Leaders and the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Awards Committee. - The book is available in hardback for $20 and paperback for $15, plus $8 shipping. - Buyers can purchase through CashApp, Zelle, PayPal, Amazon or Barnes & Noble. - A portion of proceeds supports The Elder Theodore L. Barber Scholarship Foundation, Inc. - More information is available at the foundation website. - The authors can be reached at mab57@icloud.com, teachermarilynannette@gmail.com, 410-880-6004, 301-206-2166 or 240-593-1181. - Marilyn Barber’s LinkedIn profile is available here.

Between the lines: - The book is framed as both a children’s story and a preservation effort for underrecognized Black history in Baltimore. - By pairing music education with civil rights history, the authors position the story as a lesson in access as well as achievement. - The scholarship foundation tie-in suggests the project is also meant to support future students, not just document the past.

What’s next: - The authors are expected to continue promoting the book through talks and interactive school and community appearances. - Sales of the book will continue to support the scholarship foundation. - The book’s wider impact will likely depend on adoption by families, schools and community groups looking for Black history and arts education materials.