Singing Man - Hardcover

Medearis, Angela Shelf

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0823411036 ISBN 13: 9780823411030

Publisher: Holiday House, 1994

Synopsis

A rewarding tale from West Africa tells the story of one of three brothers who wants to be a musician, is forced to leave home, and meets a traveling praise singer who helps him realize his dream.

About this title

About the Author:

Angela Shelf Medearis was born in Virginia. Her family moved often, though, because her father was in the Air Force. She says that at each new place, "I knew there would always be a library, a friendly librarian, and my favorite books there to greet me. It made a new school and new friends much easier to deal with."

In grade school, Angela Shelf Medearis's teachers told her that she wrote well. She was thirty years old, however, before she decided to try to earn a living as a writer. She enjoys history, and spends a lot of time researching African-American history for her books. As a bonus, her research often leads to ideas for new books.

From School Library Journal:

Kindergarten-Grade 4-This story, adapted from a Yoruba folktale, tells of three brothers who, having completed their manhood ceremonies, must decide on their life's work. The first two make acceptable decisions, but the third boy, Banzar, wants only to be a musician. When the village elders rule that his choice is unacceptable, he leaves. He meets an old, blind praise singer (or griot), and the two spend years traveling while Sholo teaches the young man how to make a living as a musician. When the Singing Man dies, Banzar goes on to become the personal musician of the king of Lagos. One day, he sees his brothers in the marketplace and arranges for a happy reunion. This story imparts the subtle bits of wisdom found in traditional African folklore. Medearis's retelling is well developed and presents a fuller text than found in her Dancing with the Indians (Holiday, 1991) and Our People (Atheneum, 1994). Shaffer's rich oil paintings and decorative borders are lively and capture the mood of the text. Expressive renderings convey the anxiety of approaching manhood, the ambivalence of having to choose between family tradition and one's heart's desire, the shame of failure, and the pride in success. Banzar's humility enables him to return to his family and offer them love and financial assistance.
Barbara Osborne Williams, Queens Borough Public Library, Jamaica, NY
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About this edition

• Publisher: Holiday House
• Publication date: 1994
• ISBN 10: 0823411036
• ISBN 13: 9780823411030
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 32
• Illustrator: Shaffer Terea