Submitted by Alexandria Ducksworth

How well did you know Aretha Franklin, the legendary Queen of Soul? Did you grow up with her music, jamming to “Respect” and “Chain of Fools”?

Aretha Franklin has accomplished many feats during her tremendous music career. She has won 18 Grammy awards out of 44 nominations. Despite being a high school dropout, Franklin received honorary degrees from many prestigious schools like Princeton, Yale, and the Berklee College of Music. In 2005, former president George W. Bush rewarded Franklin with the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Here are three books about Aretha Franklin you can read right now:

1. “Aretha Franklin: The Queen of Soul” by Mark Bego (Adult Non-Fiction)

2. “Respect: The Life of Aretha Franklin” by David Ritz (Adult Non-Fiction)

3. “Who is Aretha Franklin?” by Medina Nico (Juvenile Non-Fiction)

You can research more information about Franklin through GCPL’s digital resources:

Biography in Context
Encyclopedia Britannica Online
Gale eBooks: Black History Month
GALILEO