Sweet Music in Harlem

Sweet Music in Harlem

Written by Debbie A. Taylor

Illustrated by Frank Morrison

Lee and Low Books Inc., 2004

Multicultural

Culture: African American

32 pages

          This story is about a young boy named C.J. His Uncle Click is an amazing and well known jazz musician. His Uncle Click even has a few photographers coming to take pictures of him way down in Harlem. However, his signature hat is missing in action! So C.J. goes out in search of his uncle’s hat. Will C.J. find his uncle’s hat? Will his uncle be able to play in front of the photographers? Read this book to find out!

          The illustrated did a wonderful job putting emotion into his artwork. Frank Morrison really captures the emotions in the characters. Facial expressions are very important in illustrations. On the other hand, Frank Morrison does this very well. The artwork was also done in acrylic paint. Altogether, the pictures help support the story being told.

          This book can be integrated into the classroom in three ways. First off, this book can be read in the classroom whenever music is being taught or mentioned to help boost a child’s artistic curiosity. Secondly, this book has several new words that can be introduced as vocabulary words in a classroom. Then lastly, this book would be a great way to introduce dialect in writing or reading. All in all, this book is very entertaining.