jcschlotfelt2313's review
4.0
A book that demands to be read aloud. Lots of wonderful onomatopoeias, great swinging, jazzy rhythm from a guy who almost singularly represents folk. I do wish there was a more tangible manifestation of the musicians' talents, but it's still a gem.
beecheralyson's review
4.0
Schneider Family Award 2007 - I really enjoyed this one. I can see why it was selected for a Schneider.
circleofreadersdruid's review
2.0
I just can't! I found Deaf Musicians condescending toward and offensive to the hearing impaired population. I think its heart is in the right place, but it just... No, Pete Seeger. Just no. If I understand this correctly, we're supposed to believe that there is a huge hole in the busking industry for singers who have mimes pretending to play backup behind them. They're sooo popular that people even miss their subways to stay and watch. What??? I get that they're imagining the music in their head, but there are deaf musicians who make audible music that the hearing population actually does want to hear. I know this isn't the intended message, but I heard, "Oh, now that you're deaf you're only capable of making 'imaginary' music. Aren't you precious and stoic, though." Plus, I know a lot of people in the hearing population, myself included, like to watch sign language interpreters, especially at something fun like a concert. Here's the thing, though. The only reason they're there is to interpret the lyrics and the gist of the music to the hearing impaired population. (I've totally soapboxed this review, haven't I?)
I loved Christie's pictures in [b:Richard Wright and the Library Card|15618|Richard Wright and the Library Card|William Miller|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1388708411s/15618.jpg|17462], but I they were just salt in the wound for me in this picture book. A better picture book (IMO) about someone with a hearing impairment? [b:Kami and the Yaks|5542|Kami and the Yaks|Andrea Stenn Stryer|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1328764831s/5542.jpg|8955]. About jazz? [b:Jazz|62027|Jazz|Walter Dean Myers|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1390422329s/62027.jpg|146809] and [b:Before John Was a Jazz Giant: A Song of John Coltrane|2361807|Before John Was a Jazz Giant A Song of John Coltrane|Carole Boston Weatherford|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1440280725s/2361807.jpg|2368574] are both on my to-read list, so we'll see. The rhythm of this book was its only redeeming quality, so definitely a read aloud, if you must. This is the first time I feel like the Schneider has let me down. I checked this book out from the Mississippi Library Commission.
I loved Christie's pictures in [b:Richard Wright and the Library Card|15618|Richard Wright and the Library Card|William Miller|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1388708411s/15618.jpg|17462], but I they were just salt in the wound for me in this picture book. A better picture book (IMO) about someone with a hearing impairment? [b:Kami and the Yaks|5542|Kami and the Yaks|Andrea Stenn Stryer|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1328764831s/5542.jpg|8955]. About jazz? [b:Jazz|62027|Jazz|Walter Dean Myers|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1390422329s/62027.jpg|146809] and [b:Before John Was a Jazz Giant: A Song of John Coltrane|2361807|Before John Was a Jazz Giant A Song of John Coltrane|Carole Boston Weatherford|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1440280725s/2361807.jpg|2368574] are both on my to-read list, so we'll see. The rhythm of this book was its only redeeming quality, so definitely a read aloud, if you must. This is the first time I feel like the Schneider has let me down. I checked this book out from the Mississippi Library Commission.
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