In Honor of MLK Day, Stream "An American Girl Story - Melody 1963" Free on Amazon Prime Video Now Through Jan. 16

In honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Amazon Original Special An American Girl Story - Melody 1963: Love Has to Win will be free to stream on Prime Video in the US beginning today and ending at 11:59 p.m. PST on Monday, January 16; no Prime membership required. The first of four original American Girl specials for Prime Video stars Marsai Martin (Black-ish) as the title character Melody, Frances Fisher (Titanic) as Miss Abbot, Frankie Faison (The Wire) as Melody's grandfather Frank Ellison, and Idara Victor (TURN: Washington's Spies) as Melody's mother Frances Ellison. Executive produced by Alison McDonald (Roots), Oscar winner Common's Freedom Road Productions, and Christopher Keenan and Melinda McCrocklin from American Girl, the special is directed and produced by Tina Mabry (Mississippi Damned, Queen Sugar).

Based in 1963 Detroit during the civil rights movement, An American Girl Story - Melody 1963: Love Has to Win centers around 10-year-old Melody whose eyes are opened to the racial inequality surrounding her, including the 1963 Birmingham Church Bombing. As a result, her belief in the "indivisible" promise of our country's Pledge of Allegiance comes into question as she challenges her teacher on the validity of this given the horrific tragedy. After an emotional journey of self-reflection, her mother gives her the courage she needs by instilling in her that love brings out the best in everyone; reminding Melody that it's important to "stand up for what's right, even when it's hard or scary."

An American Girl Story - Melody 1963: Love Has to Win recently received 2 NAACP Image Award nominations, including Outstanding Children's Program and Outstanding Writing in a Motion Picture, Television (Alison McDonald). The series also garnered a Directors Guild of America nomination for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Children's Programming (Tina Mabry). Additionally, the special is a Humanitas Prize Finalist in the Children's Live Action Category (Alison McDonald).

The Amazon Original Special has an average customer rating of 4.7 stars. Here is what customers have been saying:

· "My children and I LOVED this... it included history, challenge and determination to overcome injustice, family, friendships, great music!"

· "It provides a great lesson in the power of humanity and the need to believe in one's dreams."

· "The main character is brave, compassionate, resourceful, and courageous. My girls loved her character."

· "Great to see diversity on amazon. They're breaking barriers and dispelling fear. We are all human, we all belong, and together we are at our greatest."

An American Girl Story - Melody 1963: Love Has to Win is part of Prime Video's growing line-up of award-winning and critically-acclaimed Originals for kids and families. Amazon Original Series and Specials are available to stream and enjoy using the Amazon Video app for compatible TVs, connected devices, including Amazon Fire TV and mobile devices, or online at www.amazon.com/originals, at no additional cost to their membership. Prime members can also download select titles to mobile devices for offline viewing. Eligible customers who are not already Prime members can sign up for a free trial at www.amazon.com/prime. For a list of all Amazon Video compatible devices, visit www.amazon.com/howtostream. An American Girl Story - Melody 1963: Love Has to Win is also available as part of Amazon FreeTime Unlimited, the all-you-can-eat subscription service designed from the ground up for kids. FreeTime Unlimited is available exclusively on Amazon devices, including Amazon Fire TV and Fire tablets, and a year-long subscription is included with every Fire Kids Edition.