We Are The Supremes

Gr 1-3–In 1960s Detroit, three young Black women had big dreams. However, discrimination and segregation limited the opportunities available to Black Americans, including within the entertainment industry. These obstacles didn’t stop friends Diana Ross, Florence Ballard, and Mary Wilson from reaching for the stars. Ballard and Wilson became friends after performing at a high school talent show; Ross became acquainted with the duo after auditioning for an all-girl group that would accompany an all-male group called The Primes. The text chronologically documents the friends’ rise to fame, from the halls of their high school to some of Detroit’s most popular clubs and sock hops, to a Motown Records recording studio, all the way to the international stage and beyond. Despite the racial tensions, rejection from the music industry, and highs and lows in the trio’s friendship, the narrative reinforces their persistence, determination, and talent. Perera’s colorful, retro-inspired illustrations emphasize the excitement and momentum of the Supremes’ growing success. Clever placement of text and spirited pictures capture the rhythm of life and their music, as well as the changing attitudes of the era. Additional historical information provides context to the difficulties faced by Black musicians in this time period, affirming the hard work conducted by The Supremes and their musical peers to break down racial barriers.