The Jazz Kid - Hardcover

Collier, James Lincoln

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0805028218 ISBN 13: 9780805028218

Publisher: Henry Holt & Co, 1994

Synopsis

The coauthor of My Brother Sam Is Dead presents the story of a young white Chicago boy who struggles to choose between his disapproving parents and his only real interest--playing jazz.

About this title

About the Author:

James Lincoln Collier has written many books for children, including Give Dad My Best and Planet out of the Past. He has also contributed more than five hundred articles to the New York Times Magazine, Reader's Digest, and Boy's Life. His honors include the Kidger Prize for Teaching, the Jane Addams Peace Prize, and the Newbery Honor.

From School Library Journal:

Grade 6-9-It is 1923 and Paulie Horvath, 13, wants to play the cornet more than anything. When he hears a jazz group practice, he's hooked. The music sweetly draws him in and won't let go. His schoolwork is ignored, and every spare minute is spent in secret practice sessions with a professional musician who befriends him. When the boy fails every subject, his disapproving father takes the precious horn away. Paulie runs away and becomes involved in Chicago's world of jazz clubs, low life, and gangsters. Eventually his obsession involves the family and his father must come to the rescue when some gangsters make trouble. Paulie gratefully returns home, wiser and ready to take up his horn again more responsibly. Told in the first person, this is historical fiction that may need a little booktalking, but is well worth the push. The world of 1920's Chicago jazz comes alive through Paulie's eyes and ears. Famous musicians like the Rhythm Kings, King Oliver, Bix Beiderbecke, and others were part of a new and exciting era of sound. The "nigger music," as many whites called it, was greeted with mixed reactions; this becomes a perfect background for Paulie's dilemma. Collier writes with accurate detail and creates believable, realistic characters. Paulie's infatuation with the jazz sound is so clearly written, one can almost hear the horn singing. The multiple themes of music, family, and responsibility harmonize to make one fine story. An author's note gives listening suggestions and background information.
Beth Tegart, Oneida City Schools, NY
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About this edition

• Publisher: Henry Holt & Co
• Publication date: 1994
• ISBN 10: 0805028218
• ISBN 13: 9780805028218
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 216