The Blues Singers: Ten Who Rocked the World, by Julius Lester
Jump at the Sun/Hyperion Books for Children, 2001
A collective biography of ten African-American blues singers, including
Billie Holiday, B.B.King, Little Richard, and Arethra Franklin.
Reading Level: 4.2
Charlie Parker, Musician, by Ron Frankl
Chelsea House, 1993
Introduces the life and times of the noted jazz musician, Charlie Parker.
Reading Level: 7.7
Duke Ellington: The Piano Prince and His Orchestra, by Andrea
Davis Pinkney.
Hyperion Books for Children, 1998
A brief recounting of the career of this jazz musician and composer who,
along with his orchestra, created music tht was beyond category. Reading
Level: 5.5; Accelerated Reader: 5.0
Ella Fitzgerald : the tale of a vocal virtuosa by Andrea Davis
Pinkney
Jump at the Sun, 2002
Includes bibliographical references, discography, and videography. Scat
Cat Monroe, a feline fan, tells the story of how small town girl Ella
Fitzgerald became one of the world's best-known songstresses.
Reading Level: 3.8; Accelerated Reader: 3.5
I See the Rhythm, by Toyomi Igus
Children's Book Press, 1998
Chronicles, and captures poetically, the history, mood, and movement of
African-American music. Reading Level: 6.8; Accelerated Reader: 5.1
Rap a Tap: Here's BoJangles - Think of That! by Leo & Diane
Dillon
Blue Sky Press, 2002.
Rhyming text and illustrations describe the dancing of Bill "Bojangles"
Robinson, one of the most famous tap dancers of all time.
Reading Level: 3.1; Accelerated Reader: 1.9
Clarion, 2001
Tells the story of the Jubilee Singers, a musical group from Fisk University who toured the world singing slave spirituals as a fund-raiser for the school.
Reading Level: 7.7; Accelerated Reader: 7.8
An introduction to the life of Marian Anderson, extraordinary singer and civil rights activist, who was the first African American to perform at the Metropolitan Opera, whose life and career encouraged social change. Reading Level: 4.6; Accelerated Reader: 5.2
