Common Sense Media Review
By Diondra K. Brown
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Timeless hymn takes on new relevance in moving picture book.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 6+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
The events of STANDING IN THE NEED OF PRAYER: A MODERN RETELLING OF THE CLASSIC SPIRITUAL begin in the early 1600s and stretch to our era. It highlights key pieces of Black history, from the enslavement of Africans, to the Brown v. Board of Education Supreme Court decision, to the Black Lives Matter Movement. The lyrics of the classic hymn set the foundation for a story about protest, celebrations, and a constant struggle for equality. At the end of the book, readers can continue to learn from the Author's Note and reference guide explaining who's featured in the story, and why.
Is It Any Good?
This picture book is a touching and emotional tribute to a timeless church hymn, and what it has meant to those who've been oppressed. Standing in the Need of Prayer: A Modern Retelling of the Classic Spiritual is hard to read without singing or humming the tune, if you're familiar with this church classic that remains powerfully relevant. The book is likely to spark hard questions and deep reflections from young readers.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the lyrics used in Standing in the Need of Prayer: A Modern Retelling of the Classic Spiritual. Have you ever heard the song "Standing in the Need of Prayer"? What do the lyrics mean to you?
Which historical events from the book did you recognize? Which were new to you?
The story is both upsetting and hopeful. How did reading it make you feel?
Book Details
- Author :
- Illustrator : Frank Morrison
- Genre : Picture Book
- Topics : Activism , History , Arts ( Music and Sing-Along )
- Character Strengths : Courage , Perseverance
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Crown Books for Young Readers
- Publication date : September 20, 2022
- Number of pages : 32
- Available on : Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Awards : Common Sense Selection , Coretta Scott King Medal and Honors
- Last updated : September 29, 2025
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate