Willie Jerome - Hardcover

Duncan, Alice Faye

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 002733208X ISBN 13: 9780027332087

Publisher: Atheneum, 1995

Synopsis

When Willie Jerome plays his summer jazz on the rooftop, everyone considers it just noise, except his sister Judy, who tries to convince everyone of how good it is and who finally gets Mama to listen to Willie Jerome seriously.

About this title

From Publishers Weekly:

On a steamy, summer day in the city-effectively evoked in Geter's (Dawn and the Round To-It) intentionally hazy but occasionally static oil paintings-Willie Jerome sits on the roof and blows his trumpet. "Mama say he be up there making noise. I say he be up there making music," declares Willie's sister Judy, the cheerful African American girl who sings out this melodic if repetitious story. As she dances down the street, a shopkeeper "wanna know why I'm smiling so"; she explains, "I been groovin' to [Willie's] noonday songs. That's why I got this smile on my face. That's why I got this bop in my stride." Though no one else appreciates her brother's incessant blowing, Judy continues to sing his praises. When Mama returns home from work, tired and irritable, Judy persuades her to listen to Willie's "red hot bebop," whereupon Mama concludes that "Willie Jerome can blow. If we had took time to listen, all us woulda known." Though some readers may stumble over the idioms and grammatical spins of Judy's speech, Duncan's (The National Civil Rights Museum Celebrates Everyday People, reviewed Feb. 6) story has an engaging musical quality and a contagious enthusiasm. Ages 5-8.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal:

Kindergarten-Grade 3?This book has a lovely intent: to celebrate talent and perseverance in the face of great opposition. Willie Jerome is dedicated to playing his trumpet. Everyday in the summer, he goes up on the roof of his city apartment and blows "sizzlin' red hot bebop"?at least that's what his sister calls it. Everyone else in the neighborhood, including his mother and older brother, call it noise. Only Judy believes in her brother's musical talent. Written in a lively and engaging manner, the text captures the cadence of urban black speech. Geter's vivid oil paintings enhance the text beautifully and reflect the tempo of innercity life. Duncan tells a story that many should hear?talent and ability can be found in anyone and anywhere.?Carol Jones Collins, Montclair Kimberley Academy, NJ
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About this edition

• Publisher: Atheneum
• Publication date: 1995
• ISBN 10: 002733208X
• ISBN 13: 9780027332087
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 32
• Illustrator: Geter Tyrone