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edshara's review against another edition
4.0
This was really good. A short book will move you and is full of meaning. Clayton’s relationship with his grandfather was sweet and felt familiar. It was interesting to see how Clayton processed his anger and grief. While it was frustrating that the adults didn’t try to look deeper, initially, it was good to see Clayton try to express himself verbally. While he didn’t always make the best choices, it was nice that we got to see Clayton react to what was going on. That made him feel real and relatable.
I wasn’t a fan of how Clayton’s mother dictated the relationship he had with his dad. I know, as a character, she had her issues, but her actions throughout the book were selfish and she was frustrating. I wanted more from her in the end, but overall this was a great book.
I wasn’t a fan of how Clayton’s mother dictated the relationship he had with his dad. I know, as a character, she had her issues, but her actions throughout the book were selfish and she was frustrating. I wanted more from her in the end, but overall this was a great book.
book_concierge's review against another edition
4.0
Digital audiobook performed by Adam Lazarre-White.
4.5****
From the book jacket: When, Cool Papa, when? That’s what Clayton Byrd is always asking his grandfather, Cool Papa Byrd. When does he get a solo to show off his talent on the blues harp? Clayton feels most alive when he’s with Cool Papa Byrd and the Bluesmen, playing the music he feels in his bones. But then the unexpected happens. Cool Papa Byrd dies. Clayton’s mother forbids him from playing the blues. For Clayton, that’s no way to live. Armed with his grandfather’s porkpie hat and his blues harp, he runs away from home and to the New York City subways in search of the Bluesmen, hoping he can join them on the road.
My reactions:
This was wonderful on so many levels. First on a purely superficial level, I loved the lesson in blues history that Williams-Garcia has given to young readers, introducing them to historic figures in the development of this uniquely American music.
Secondly, I loved the relationship between Clayton and his grandfather. The respect and love between them was palpable, even after Cool Papa has died, you can feel the deep connection they had and Clayton remembers some of the lessons his grandfather imparted, which help him when he’s “underground.”
Third, I really liked that Williams-Garcia did NOT paint a rosy picture of Clayton’s “adventure” as he ran away. He was in real danger and he suffered some consequences of his inexperience, rashness and youth. On the other hand, he also showed himself to be an astute observer, a clever negotiator, and he had the kind of determination and grit that will see him through on his life’s journey.
And I loved the way in which this wrapped up. The apologies and understandings that Clayton, his mother and his father came to, by really talking about what was important and putting aside some of their own hurt to help one another through this terrible grief.
Adam Lazarre-White does a marvelous job of performing the audiobook. I love his deep bass voice for Cool Papa and Clayton’s dad. I would have liked a little blues music underscore, but that’s not enough to deter me from listening again, or re-reading the text.
4.5****
From the book jacket: When, Cool Papa, when? That’s what Clayton Byrd is always asking his grandfather, Cool Papa Byrd. When does he get a solo to show off his talent on the blues harp? Clayton feels most alive when he’s with Cool Papa Byrd and the Bluesmen, playing the music he feels in his bones. But then the unexpected happens. Cool Papa Byrd dies. Clayton’s mother forbids him from playing the blues. For Clayton, that’s no way to live. Armed with his grandfather’s porkpie hat and his blues harp, he runs away from home and to the New York City subways in search of the Bluesmen, hoping he can join them on the road.
My reactions:
This was wonderful on so many levels. First on a purely superficial level, I loved the lesson in blues history that Williams-Garcia has given to young readers, introducing them to historic figures in the development of this uniquely American music.
Secondly, I loved the relationship between Clayton and his grandfather. The respect and love between them was palpable, even after Cool Papa has died, you can feel the deep connection they had and Clayton remembers some of the lessons his grandfather imparted, which help him when he’s “underground.”
Third, I really liked that Williams-Garcia did NOT paint a rosy picture of Clayton’s “adventure” as he ran away. He was in real danger and he suffered some consequences of his inexperience, rashness and youth. On the other hand, he also showed himself to be an astute observer, a clever negotiator, and he had the kind of determination and grit that will see him through on his life’s journey.
And I loved the way in which this wrapped up. The apologies and understandings that Clayton, his mother and his father came to, by really talking about what was important and putting aside some of their own hurt to help one another through this terrible grief.
Adam Lazarre-White does a marvelous job of performing the audiobook. I love his deep bass voice for Cool Papa and Clayton’s dad. I would have liked a little blues music underscore, but that’s not enough to deter me from listening again, or re-reading the text.
bickie's review against another edition
3.0
The first chapter starts out with a description of the feeling of playing jazz, which is not as accessible as the rest of the book. Clayton grieves for the loss of his dear grandfather, Cool Papa, and his mother makes it worse by having a yard sale to get rid of all of Cool Papa's belongings, including his fedora and beloved guitars. Clayton takes it pretty hard, and he is especially distressed when his mother takes away his only solace - his harmonica. He decides the only way to deal with his grief is to try to catch up with the band he and Cool Papa play with in Washington Square Park, the Bluesmen, before they go south for the winter. Clayton ends up getting mixed up in some other, less savory improvisational musicians, eventually leading to his arrest. Best for ages 10-12 (grief, poor choices, jail though not particularly gritty).
lattelibrarian's review
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Clayton only wants to play a solo with his grandfather and his blues band. But when his grandfather passes away peacefully and his mother begins selling his possessions, Clayton can't help but act out. The only thing is...he doesn't really know why. He's falling asleep, he's talking back, and he's getting real angry sometimes. So he devises a plan to run away and join the blues band on their trip: that way, his mom will have to see how important music is to him.
I was not expecting this book about grief to hit me in all the soft spots. Clayton is such a fantastic character: I love his hobbies, his admiration for a different generation, and the fact that he feels so deeply and knows it's wrong when people ask him to calm down. Even amid his grief, his sense of right and wrong remains true, especially as he rides the subway and gets caught up with teen beatboxers. The ending is more soft-spoken than you'd think. He doesn't get his solo, but he does get some peace and understanding.
I was not expecting this book about grief to hit me in all the soft spots. Clayton is such a fantastic character: I love his hobbies, his admiration for a different generation, and the fact that he feels so deeply and knows it's wrong when people ask him to calm down. Even amid his grief, his sense of right and wrong remains true, especially as he rides the subway and gets caught up with teen beatboxers. The ending is more soft-spoken than you'd think. He doesn't get his solo, but he does get some peace and understanding.
in_and_out_of_the_stash's review against another edition
5.0
I'm not sure at which age group this is aimed but there a number of issues are raised. I enjoyed it.
geo_curler's review against another edition
5.0
This was another great book by Rita Williams Garcia. She once again hooked me with relatable main characters. I really loved the Gaither Sisters Series and I wasn't sure if this could top it but it came close. Clayton Byrd, the main character, loves playing blues with his grandfather, Cool Papa, so when he dies he is heartbroken and especially frustrated and angry at his mother because she forbids Clayton to play blues.You can understand how Clayton was feeling. He wanted to play with the Bluesmen, so he left with his instrument in search of them. What he doesn't know is hat he's about to learn about his family and about the blues.
jwinchell's review against another edition
4.0
This breezy, resonant little novel read like poetry and blues music. Clayton Byrd's tragedy drove his decision to go underground, and I love that he has an entire hero's journey arc in a very short period of pages and days. This book is about grief, music, family, and finding your own way. It's about intergenerational trauma. It's about the marriage between blues and hip-hop. It's about Clayton's journey to his voice and solo.
mbrandmaier's review against another edition
4.0
Clayton and his Cool Papa play some mean blues together with the Bluesmen, until Cool Papa passes away. Clayton's mom hates the blues and takes away Clayton's soul harp. Clayton misses Cool Papa so much, and all he wants to do is find the Bluesmen and play some more music with them. He encounters some unfortunate obstacles on his journey to find the Bluesmen. I felt like Clayton had a really spiteful mother.