60+ Children’s Books About Legendary Black Musicians

Colours of Us

4 years ago

Children's Books About Legendary Black Musicians

June is Black Music Month! Time to celebrate all those legendary Black Musicians past and present — from Sister Rosetta Tharpe to Beyoncé, from Louis Armstrong to Bob Marley, and many more.

There’s something for every age group on this list, from babies to teenagers!

60+ Children’s Books About Legendary Black Musicians

Babies & Toddlers

Ella: My First Ella Fitzgerald
by Isabel Sanchez Vegara

With stylish and quirky illustrations, Ella introduces the youngest dreamers to the First Lady of Song, from her early singing days on the streets of Harlem to her success as a jazz legend. Part of the Little People, Big Dreams series, this board book version of the international bestseller Ella Fitzgerald. ~ Babies & Toddlers

The Story of Rap
by Editors of Caterpillar Books

From Grandmaster Flash to Kendrick Lamar, rap has shaped generations and brought a voice to the voiceless. Bop along with the greats in this adorable award-winning baby book that introduces little ones to the rappers that started it all!
Parental Advisory: May cause toddlers to develop excessive amounts of swagger. ~ Babies & Toddlers

Every Little Thing
by Cedella Marley

Based on her father’s song ‘Three Little Birds’, Cedella Marley wrote this upbeat picture book. Every Little Thing reminds children that the sun always comes out after the rain and that mistakes can be forgiven with a hug. With exuberant pictures the book tells the story of one boy who won’t let anything get him down, knowing that “every little thing is gonna be alright.” Includes all the lyrics of the original song plus new verses. ~ Babies & Toddlers

One Love
by Cedella Marley

Another one of Bob Marley’s most beloved songs adapted by his eldest daughter. One Love follows a little girl as she transforms her neighbourhood for the better. With the upbeat spirit of the original song this heartwarming picture book shows what can be achieved when we all get together with love in our hearts. ~ Babies & Toddlers

I Love You Too
by Ziggy Marley

Based on one of Ziggy Marley’s songs, I Love You Too is a sweet ode to parental love. The lyrics were inspired by a conversation with his 3-year-old daughter. Cheerful illustrations show loving family interactions in various settings, from playing in the park to drawing pictures and decorating the Christmas tree together. ~ Babies & Toddlers

Preschool

This Jazz Man
by Karen Ehrhardt

“This jazz man, he plays one, / He plays rhythm with his thumb, / With a Snap! Snap! Snazzy-snap! / Give the man a hand, / This jazz man scats with the band.” In this lively version of “This Old Man” nine jazz giants teach children how to count, from Louis Armstrong to Charles Mingus. This Jazz Man is a playful introduction to jazz, complemented by energetic collage illustrations. Includes a brief biography of each musician. ~ Preschool

Happy!
by Pharrell Williams

“Because I’m happy!” This must be the most cheerful and catchy song of the decade! Pharrell Williams’ super hit has been adapted into this picture book. Vibrant photographs of a diverse bunch of children capture the uplifting spirit of the song perfectly. Happy! will make your kids wanna get up and start singing and dancing immediately! ~ Preschool

Get Up, Stand Up
by Bob Marley & Cedella Marley

As a young girl goes on with her day in school, she comes across several instances of teasing and intimidation. But with loving action and some help from her friends, she’s able to make things right for herself and others. Get Up, Stand Up is a heartfelt picture book that brings Bob Marley’s music to life in a new way. ~ Preschool

Beyoncé: Shine Your Light
by Sarah Warren

“Beyoncé was quiet. / A push-an-empty-swing kind of quiet. / That’s how most of the world saw her, until . . . one teacher looked closer.” With dazzling illustrations and powerful text, Beyoncé: Shine Your Light celebrates the icon’s rise from a shy little girl to a world-famous superstar. ~ Preschool

Nina: Jazz Legend and Civil-Rights Activist Nina Simone
by Alice Brière-Haquet

Nina is a stunning picture book about jazz legend and civil rights activist Nina Simone, one of the greatest voices of the 20th century. In the form of a lullaby to her daughter, the book introduces young readers to Simone’s early life, her career and her activism, and the struggles she faced as a Black woman. The poignant story is perfectly complemented by the vivid black-and-white illustrations. ~ Preschool

By and By: Charles Albert Tindley, the Father of Gospel Music
by Carole Boston Weatherford

From award-winning duo Carole Boston Weatherford and Bryan Collier comes this stirring picture book biography about gospel composer and preacher Charles Albert Tindley, best known for the gospel hymn “We’ll Understand It Better By and By.” With evocative illustrations and simple yet lyrical text, By And By follows Charles from his childhood working backbreaking hours in the fields during the day and teaching himself to read from scraps of newspapers at night. From those small scraps, young Charles raised himself to become a founding father of American gospel music whose hymn was the basis for the Civil Rights anthem “We Shall Overcome.” ~ Preschool

What a Wonderful World
by George David Weiss & Bob Thiele

Sung by Louis Armstrong, What A Wonderful World is one of the most famous songs of all time. This reassuring book paints the picture of a hopeful world, from summery trees to sunny blue skies and positive scenes from around the world. Following a night-day-night cycle, it is also a sweet introduction to the colours of the day. ~ Preschool

What a Wonderful World
by George David Weiss & Bob Thiele

Another one about the famous song, but with a different approach. In bright paintings What A Wonderful World depicts a diverse bunch of children – together with Louis Armstrong – as they perform a puppet show that brings the lyrics of the song to life. ~ Preschool

Squeak, Rumble, Whomp! Whomp! Whomp!
by Wynton Marsalis

A door squeeeaks, a mouse goes eek, eeek, eeeek, big trucks rrrrrrrumble, hunger makes a tummy grrrrumble. Famous jazz musician Wynton Marsalis takes young readers on an inspiring sonic adventure through the sounds of an urban neighbourhood. The infectious rhythm and the fun cartoon-like illustrations bring the sounds to life. Squeak, Rumble, Whomp! Whomp! Whomp! will have your little ones clapping, singing and dancing in no time! ~ Preschool

A Song for Miles
by Tiffany Russell

Miles is a curious little boy. When one day he hears his father listening to soul music, he wants to know all about it. His father takes him on a colourful journey through famous songs by Stevie Wonder, Nina Simone, Marvin Gaye and other artists. A Song for Miles nurtures a love of music, all the while teaching the importance of having a good character . Available on Kindle only. ~ Preschool

Charlie Parker Played Be Bop
by Christopher Raschka

“Alphabet alphabet, alphabet, alph, / Chickadee, chickadee, chickadee, chick, / Overshoes, overshoes, overshoes, o, / Reeti-footi, reeti-footi, reeti-footi, ree.” The sassy rhythmic text of Charlie Parker played be bop, coupled with colourful quirky illustrations, brings the sound and feel of Parker’s jazz alive for the youngest readers. ~ Preschool

Muddy: The Story of Blues Legend Muddy Waters
by Michael Mahin

Muddy Waters was never good at doing what he was told. When Grandma Della said the blues wouldn’t put food on the table, Muddy didn’t listen. And when record producers told him no one wanted to listen to a country boy playing country blues, Muddy ignored them as well. With blues-infused prose and soulful illustrations, award-winning Muddy tells the blues-legend’s inspiring story of struggle, determination, and hope. ~ Preschool

Elementary School

Harlem’s Little Blackbird
by Renee Watson

Florence Mills, an African American singer born in 1896, was known as Harlem’s Little Blackbird. The picture book follows Mills from singing with her mother to breaking into the musical world. Despite her success, Mills declined the role of a lifetime and chose to perform in all-black musicals only. An empowering book about an amazing woman who is remarkable for her talent as well as her generosity and faith. ~ Elementary School

Dizzy
by Jonah Winter

“This is the story of one real COOL cat / born very poor and very tough.” With rhythmic text and stunning illustrations Dizzy tells the story of jazz legend Dizzy Gillespie. Leaving behind a hard small town life to play with the hottest bands in New York City, Dizzy became a trumpet revolutionary who broke all the rules – and created Bebop along the way. ~ Elementary School

When I Get Older: The Story behind “Wavin’ Flag”
by K’NAAN & Sol Sol

When the Somali Civil War began in 1991, 13-year-old K’NAAN and his family emigrated to the U.S. K’NAAN faced many challenges but his love of music became a way for him to connect with his past, with his classmates, and eventually, to millions of people around the world. When I Get Older tells the inspiring story of the Somali-Canadian artist whose song “Wavin’ Flag” has become an international anthem. Includes lyrics of the song and a brief history of the Somalian conflict. ~ Elementary School

Little Melba and Her Big Trombone
by Katheryn Russell-Brown

Little Melba and Her Big Tombrone tells the story of music-loving Melba Doretta Liston who taught herself to play the tombrone. Despite facing race and gender discrimination, unsung hero Melba became a famous trombone player and song arranger for jazz legends Duke Ellington, Count Basie and Billie Holiday, to name but a few. ~ Elementary School

The Roots of Rap: 16 Bars on the 4 Pillars of Hip-Hop
by Carol Boston Weatherford

“A generation voicing / stories, hopes, and fears / founds a hip-hop nation. / Say holler if you hear.” In lyrical rhythm and with stunning illustrations, The Roots Of Rap explores how rap and hip-hop culture evolved from folktales, spirituals, and poetry, to graffiti art and break dancing and gave birth to musical artists such as DJ Kool Herc and Grandmaster Flash. ~ Elementary School

How Jelly Roll Morton Invented Jazz
by Jonah Winter

How Jelly Roll Morton Invented Jazz is an unusual picture book that riffs on the language and rhythms of old New Orleans. Beautifully illustrated, this biography introduces young readers to one of America’s early jazz legends and transports them to the musical, magical streets of New Orleans at the turn of the 20th century. ~ Elementary School

Jimi: Sounds Like a Rainbow: A Story of the Young Jimi Hendrix
by Gary Golio

Young Jimi loved to paint and play air guitar with a broomstick. He longed for a real guitar of his own, and wondered if one could paint pictures with sound. Jimi: Sounds Like A Rainbow tells the fascinating story of a determined kid with a vision, who worked hard to become a groundbreaking performer whose music shook the very foundations of rock ‘n’ roll. ~ Elementary School

If I Only Had a Horn: Young Louis Armstrong
by Roxane Orgill

In vivid words and dramatic pictures If I Only Had a Horn tells the story of young Louis Armstrong who overcame incredible odds to become a jazz legend. Inspired by the ever-present sounds of music in New Orleans, the poor boy longed for a horn to play music of his own. When at last he did, he changed the world of jazz forever. ~ Elementary School

Odetta: The Queen of Folk
by Stephen Alcorn

Based on personal dialogues with the American folk legend, Odetta: Queen of Folk tells the story of the incredible singer whose life and works inspired icons such as Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, and Tracy Chapman. This beautiful book is based on personal dialogues the author had with Odetta before her death in December 2008. ~ Elementary School

Just a Lucky So and So: The Story of Louis Armstrong
by Lesa Cline-Ransome

Growing up in a New Orleans neighbourhood that was poor but rich in superb music, young Louis took it all in. But after a run-in with the police, the 11-year-old was sent away to the Colored Waif’s Home for Boys where he became a musician in the school’s revered marching band. He went on to transform jazz through his improvised singing (“scatting”) and masterful trumpet playing. Just A Lucky So And So is a joyful tribute to jazz legend Louis “Satchmo” Armstrong. ~ Elementary School

Jazz
by Walter Dean Myers

From award-winning father-son team Walter Dean Myers and Christopher Myers comes this lively picture book about jazz music. In engaging poems and energetic paintings, Jazz takes young readers on a musical journey through the history of jazz. Includes time line and glossary. ~ Elementary School

Swing Sisters: The Story of the International Sweethearts of Rhythm
by Karen Deans

Swing Sisters is a vibrant tribute to the famous all-female jazz band International Sweethearts of Rhythm, founded in a home for African American orphans in 1939. When they left the home and moved to Washington,The Sweethearts took on musicians of many races and nationalities and – despite facing race and gender discrimination – became an international sensation. ~ Elementary School

Ray Charles
by Stephane Ollivier

Follow Ray Charles‘s rise from humble beginnings, overcoming hardship, loss, and blindness to become the undisputed king of rhythm ’n’ blues. Each spread relates a different stage of his life, and key moments are captured by evocative photos from the time and Rémi Courgeon’s beautiful illustrations. The narrative of the book is recorded on the accompanying CD, as well as 15 of the singer’s most emblematic recordings. ~ Elementary School

The 5 O’Clock Band
by Troy Andrews

Join young Shorty on a tour of his beloved New Orleans. After letting his band down by missing rehearsal, Shorty has some serious questions about what it means to be a leader and hits the streets of New Orleans to find some answers. He meets street musicians, a favourite restaurant owner, and the famous Mardi Gras Indians, each of whom shares some wisdom about being an artist, a leader, and a friend. The 5 O’Clock Band is the companion to Caldecott Honor and Coretta Scott King Award-winning Trombone Shorty. ~ Elementary School

Birth of the Cool: How Jazz Great Miles Davis Found His Sound
by Kathleen Cornell Berman

“Miles can’t sleep. / Taps his toes, / snaps his fingers, / can’t stop thinking of ways / to make music his own.” Birth of the Cool explores the childhood and early career of Miles Davis as he finds his voice and shapes a new musical sound. With rhythmic free verse and evocative illustrations, this fascinating glimpse into the jazz legend’s life will captivate young music lovers. ~ Elementary School

Duke Ellington: The Piano Prince and His Orchestra
by Andrea Davis Pinkney

“He was a smooth-talkin’, slick-steppin’, piano-playin’ kid”. In the same style of Ella Fitzgerald: The Tale of a Vocal Virtuosa, Andrea Davis Pinkney celebrates another one of the greatest African American performers of the 20th century: “King of the Keys” Duke Ellington. The rhythmic, swinging prose of Duke Ellington reflects the vibrant energy of his music perfectly. ~ Elementary School

Hip Hop Speaks to Children: A Celebration of Poetry with a Beat
by Nikki Giovanni

Hip Hop Speaks to Children consists of 51 well-known poems and songs, from Nikki Giovanni’s “Ego Tripping” to Langston Hughes’s “The Negro Speaks of Rivers,” from Kanye West’s “Hey Mama” to Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream.” Each page features one poem or song, printed on vibrant illustrations by one of five different illustrators. The accompanying CD contains over 30 live performances, some by the artists themselves, some uniquely interpreted by fellow artists. Together, the poems, the artwork, and the CD create a powerful experience that will spark children’s love for hip hop poetry. ~ African – Elementary School

When the Beat Was Born: DJ Kool Herc and the Creation of Hip Hop
by Laban Carrick Hill

On a hot day at the end of summer in 1973 Cindy Campbell threw a party at a park in the South Bronx. Her brother, who called himself DJ Kool Herc, spun the records in a unique way to make the breaks longer for dancing. When the Beat Was Born tells the story of the legendary Hip Hop DJ from his childhood in Jamaica to his youth in the Bronx. ~ Elementary School

Mahalia Jackson: Walking with Kings and Queens
by Nina Nolan

With gorgeous illustrations, Mahalia Jackson captures the fascinating story of how the African American singer became the Queen of Gospel. Growing up under difficult circumstances, singing gospels always lifted the young girl’s spirits and made her feel special. Despite hardships, Mahalia went on to share her powerful voice with the world. Includes a timeline and further reading section. ~ Elementary School

The Legendary Miss Lena Horne
by Carole Boston Weatherford

“You have to be taught to be second class; you’re not born that way.” Born into a family of teachers and activists. Lena Horne followed her dream to become an actress, despite facing racial discrimination, and many stereotypes. The Legendary Miss Lena Horne is an inspiring and beautifully illustrated picture book that celebrates the life of the pioneering African American actress and civil rights activist. ~ Elementary School

Before John Was a Jazz Giant
by Carole Boston Weatherford

“Before John was a jazz giant / he heard hambones knocking in Grandma’s pots / Daddy strumming the ukulele, / and Mama cranking the phonograph.” Growing up in the South in the 1930s, young John Coltrane took in all the noises around him that later shaped his own jazz sound. With poetic text and rich paintings in muted blues and reds, award-winning Before John was a Jazz Giant is a beautiful hymn to the jazz legend. ~ Elementary School

A Voice Named Aretha
by Katheryn Russell-Brown

Long before Aretha Franklin became the Queen of Soul, she was a shy little girl with a voice so powerful it made people jump up, sway, and hum along. When she moved to New York City to start her career, it took years of hard work before she had a hit song. In the turbulent 1960s, she sang about “Respect” and refused to perform before segregated audiences. Vibrantly illustrated A Voice Named Aretha is the inspiring story of the first woman inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. ~ Elementary School

Josephine: The Dazzling Life of Josephine Baker
by Patricia Hruby Powell

Josephine: The Dazzling Life of Josephine Baker is a detailed portrait (104 pages!) of the legendary performer and civil rights activist. In lively free-verse, complemented by colourful acrylic illustrations, the picture book tells of the struggles and triumphs of this extraordinary woman and important figure of the Harlem Renaissance who worked her way from the slums of St. Louis to the grandest stages of the world. ~ Elementary School

Trombone Shorty
by Troy Andrews

Like Louis Armstrong, Troy “Trombone Shorty” grew up in New Orleans inspired by the music that was all around. Troy Andrews tells the story of how he got his nickname by playing a trombone double his size, and how he was leading his own band by age six. Award-winning Trombone Shorty is a stunningly illustrated picture book biography that celebrates the rich musical culture of New Orleans. ~ Elementary School

Jazz On A Saturday Night
by Leo & Diane Dillon

“Ladies and gents, what a jam this will be – / an evening of jazz immortality!” A captivated audience watches a performance of some of the greatest jazz musicians, with John Coltrane and Charlie Parker on sax, Thelonious Monk on piano, Stanley Clarke on bass, vocals by Ella Fitzgerald, trumpet by Miles Davis, and drums by Max Roach. The muted graphic-style illustrations add to the magic feel of Jazz On A Saturday Night. Includes biographies and a specially produced CD. ~ Elementary School

Skit-Scat Raggedy Cat: Ella Fitzgerald
by Roxane Orgill

Orphaned, with raggedy clothes and often no place to spend the night, Ella Fitzgerald dances on the streets for small change. One amateur night at Harlem’s Apollo Theater, she discovers her singing voice. Skit-Scat Raggedy Cat follows Ella from her tough childhood and youth all the way to her number-one radio hit “A-Tisket, A-Tasket.” ~ Elementary School

The Little Piano Girl: The Story of Mary Lou Williams, Jazz Legend
by Ann Ingalls

Another stunning picture book biography about a female jazz legend! Mary Lou Williams started playing the piano when she was only four years old; at eight she became a professional musician. One of the most powerful women in jazz, Williams wrote and arranged music for Duke Ellington, Dizzy Gillespie and Charlie Parker. The Little Piano Girl tells the story of her childhood in Pittsburgh. ~ Elementary School

Libba: The Magnificent Musical Life of Elizabeth Cotten
by Laura Veirs

“Like a train plays rhythms on the track, / Libba made the notes go up and down.” As a young girl, Elizabeth Cotten taught herself how to play her brother’s guitar even though it wasn’t strung right for her (she was left-handed). By age eleven, she had written “Freight Train,” a folk song that became a huge international success. With lyrical text and evocative drawings, Libba tells the story of one of the most celebrated American folk musicians of all time. ~ Elementary School

Leontyne Price: Voice of a Century
by Carole Boston Weatherford

Born in Mississippi in 1927, Leontyne Price surrounded herself with church hymns and hallelujahs, soaked up opera arias on the radio, and watched the great Marian Anderson on stage. While racism made it unlikely that a poor black girl from the South would pursue an opera career, Leontyne’s wondrous voice and unconquerable spirit prevailed. Leontyne was soon recognized and celebrated for her leading roles at the Metropolitan Opera and around the world. Leontyne Price is a stunning picture book biography about the iconic African American opera star. ~ Elementary School

Mama Africa!: How Miriam Makeba Spread Hope with Her Song
by Kathryn Erskine

“Music gets deep inside me and starts to shake things up!” Grammy Award-winning South African singer Miriam Mabeka rose to fame at the height of apartheid, the cruel South African segregation system. Known as Mama Africa, she raised her voice to help fight these injustices at jazz clubs in Johannesburg; in exile, at a rally beside Dr Martin Luther King, Jr.; and before the United Nations. With call-and-response style text and bold illustrations, Mama Africa! offers an intimate view of Mabeka’s fight for equality. ~ Elementary School

Born to Swing: Lil Hardin Armstrong’s Life in Jazz
by Mara Rockliff

From a young age, Lil Hardin loved jamming — at home, at church, and at her first job in a music store. Unusual for a woman back then, she earned a spot playing piano in Chicago’s hottest band and achieved fame as a bandleader and composer, playing with some of the greatest jazz legends, including her husband Louis Armstrong. With dynamic illustrations and vivid text, Born to Swing captures Lil Hardin’s rhythm and passion beautifully. Includes archival images, a list of some of her songs, a timeline, an author’s note, and a bibliography. ~ Elementary School

When Marian Sang: The True Recital of Marian Anderson
by Pam Munoz Ryan

“With one breath she sounded like rain,/ sprinkling high notes in the morning sun./ And with the next she was thunder,/ resounding deep in a dark sky.” When Marian Sang traces the life of an extraordinary African-American diva whose debut with the Metropolitan Opera was delayed until she was 57 due to discrimination and racism. ~ Elementary School

Stompin’ at the Savoy: The Story of Norma Miller
by Alan Govenar

Growing up behind New York’s Savoy Ballroom during the 1920’s Jazz Age and Harlem Renaissance, Norma Miller knew early in life that she wanted to be a dancer. At 12 years old, Norma brought the house down at the Savoy for the first time, swing-stepping with Twist Mouth George, one of the premier dancers of the day. Through extensive interviews with Norma Miller, Stompin’ at the Savoy tells the story of how the feisty dancer rose to international fame with humourous style and vibrant illustrations. ~ Elementary School, Middle School

Middle School

Jazz Day: The Making of a Famous Photograph
by Roxane Orgill

What happens when you invite as many jazz musicians as you can to pose for a photo in 1950s Harlem? In playful verse and with expressive artwork, Jazz Day brings to life the musicians’ mischief and quirks, their memorable style, and the vivacious atmosphere of a Harlem block full of kids on a hot summer’s day. Includes biographies of several of the fifty-seven musicians, an author’s note, and a foldout of Art Kane’s famous photograph. ~ Middle School

Trailblazers: Beyoncé: Queen of the Spotlight
by Ebony Joy Wilkins

Beyoncé Knowles started off as the lead singer of the popular group Destiny’s Child but became even more famous on her own. From movies to Grammy Awards to performing at the Super Bowl halftime show, Beyoncé is one of the world’s most amazing superstars. Part of the Trailblazers series, Beyoncé: Queen Of The Spotlight tells the fascinating story of a girl who entered local singing competitions and went on to become a superstar. ~ Middle School

I and I Bob Marley
by Tony Medina

I and I Bob Marley is a stunning biography in verse about the Jamaican reggae legend. In gentle poems paired with vibrant illustrations, the book details the key events and themes in the famous musician’s life, including his biracial heritage, Rastafarian beliefs, and love of music. Endnotes on poems provide further biographical information. ~ Middle School

Strange Fruit: Billie Holiday and the Power of a Protest Song
by Gary Golio

Jazz and blues performer Billie Holiday’s life changed forever with “Strange Fruit”, a song about injustice and lynching. In the 1930s, the young black woman raised in poverty and Abel Meeropol, the son of Jewish immigrants, combined their talents to create the song that challenged racism and paved the way for the Civil Rights movement. With dynamic illustrations, Strange Fruit is a powerful book, excellent for classroom use. ~ Middle School

Jazz ABZ: An A to Z Collection of Jazz Portraits
by Wynton Marsalis

From A for “almighty” Louis Armstrong, to Sonny Rollins, Sarah Vaughan, Count Basie and more, Jazz ABZ celebrates twenty-six icons of jazz music in the same number of poetic forms. The 78″ LP design of the book and the bold, poster-style art add to the nostalgic feel of this stunningly designed book. Includes discography, brief biographies and notes on the various poetic forms. ~ Middle School, High School

High School

Becoming Billie Holiday
by Carole Boston Weatherford

In poignant poems Weatherford chronicles the life of jazz singer Billie Holiday, from poverty and hardship to fame with some of the hottest big bands during the Harlem Renaissance. Stunningly illustrated with Cooper’s trademark grainy sepia paintings, Becoming Billie Holiday is a touching tribute to this amazing female icon of jazz. ~ High School

Shout, Sister, Shout!: The Untold Story of Rock-and-Roll Trailblazer Sister Rosetta Tharpe
by Gayle Wald

We adore Sister Rosetta Tharpe — she’s just the coolest! Do yourself a favour and watch some YouTube videos of her performing! Born in Arkansas in 1915, the guitar virtuoso proved in spectacular fashion that women could rock. Blues singer, gospel singer, folk artist, and rock-and-roller, she “went electric” in the late 1930s, captivating both white and Black audiences in the North and South, in the U.S. and internationally, with her charisma and skill. Shout, Sister, Shout! is the first biography of this trailblazing performer who influenced scores of popular musicians—from Elvis Presley and Little Richard to Eric Clapton and Etta James. ~ High School

Rhythm Ride: A Road Trip Through the Motown Sound
by Andrea Davis Pinkney

Berry Gordy began Motown in 1959 with an $800 loan from his family. He converted the garage of a residential house into a studio and recruited teenagers from the neighborhood-like Smokey Robinson, Mary Wells, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, and Diana Ross-to sing for his new label. Meanwhile, the country was on the brink of a cultural revolution, and one of the most powerful agents of change in the following decade would be this group of young black performers from urban Detroit. Rhythm Ride: A Road Trip Through Motown Sound tells the story of the music that defined a generation and a movement that changed the world. ~ High School

The Beautiful Ones
by Prince

Prince was a musical genius, one of the most beloved, accomplished, and acclaimed musicians of our time. He was a startlingly original visionary with an imagination deep enough to whip up whole worlds, from the sexy, gritty funk paradise of “Uptown” to the mythical landscape of Purple Rain to the psychedelia of “Paisley Park.” The Beautiful Ones is a first-person account of a kid absorbing the world around him and then creating a persona, an artistic vision, and a life, before the hits and fame that would come to define him. Features never-before-seen photos, original scrapbooks and lyric sheets, and the exquisite memoir he began writing before his tragic death. ~ High School