Scan barcode
wardo2700's review
4.0
This is a powerful short story that you can read in 15 minutes but it will make you think long beyond that. The story revolves around a young boy living in poverty with his parents struggling with their relationship. Jazz music played by a neighbor has a positive effect on his otherwise dreary existence. This book could be an excellent conversation starter in middle school English class. I'd recommend this story to older readers, 10 and above, as younger ones may have trouble understanding the hardships the young boy suffers.
roseleaf24's review
3.0
This book is heart-breaking. Having snuggled my own little boy right before reading it, I was in tears in the last half of the book. The artwork is lovely, the book is well-written; I can see why it was chosen as a Newbery Honor Book. But it is definitely a sign of its time, as well. Social services have changed a lot since this time. Parts of this story are universal, but parts are for a very select audience.
staceym's review
3.0
This book was beautifully written about life in tenants of Harlem, NYC at the beginning of the Harlem Renaissance. However, some of the story really bothered me. I didn't like how the main character didn't go to school and the parents ignored the truant officer. Then the parents abandoned him without any food. I know those situations happen but I don't understand what message the author was trying to send about it. I will leave this book on my shelves for students to read if they wish but I don't think I'll be recommending it to anyone anytime soon.
scaifea's review
2.0
A young boy in living in Harlem spends his days looking out the apartment window across to other windows, keeping up with the neighbors' lives. He's particularly intent on waiting to see who moves into an empty place and is delighted when it turns out to be a jazz pianist. He also struggles with his unhappy parents and is even abandoned by them for a short period (? The narrative is fuzzy here). The premise is good, but the writing is wonky, it seems. Zeke's abandonment seems sudden and not really in line with where the story was going, and then the ending is way too abrupt and pat, making the arc even more strange and difficult to follow.
debnanceatreaderbuzz's review against another edition
3.0
Newbery Honor. Sad, sad, sad. Why do all Newbery Honor books have to be sad? An African American family lives in an apartment building. The mother works hard and doesn’t make much money. The dad is always getting and losing jobs. The boy is handicapped and doesn’t go to school. Next door is the jazz man who plays beautiful music, music that gives everyone renewed strength and hope.
More...