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Play, Louis, Play!

The True Story of a Boy and His Horn
by Muriel Harris Weinstein
99p. 978-1-59990-375-0.
COPY ISBN
Gr 3—6—Written in a playful tone, this story is narrated by the great Satchmo's first official horn. Young Armstrong's love of all kinds of music presented itself early on and was a gift so profound that it had to come to fruition. Although he never completed the fifth grade, Armstrong worked hard at odd jobs ranging from reading newspapers to the elderly to hocking scrap metal to playing in a street band. He was able to earn money for his family, but he was also saving to buy a special secondhand, dented horn he saw at the pawnshop. After dreaming, saving, and a generous loan from a friend, the boy was able to make the purchase. The lyrical, easy-to-read text includes details of Armstrong's life with his grandmother, his mother, his father, and his time in the Colored Waif's Home for Boys. Although he was sent there for getting in trouble, the home was a fortunate place for him to end up; he was given food, shelter, clothing, and the opportunity to hone his musical skills. Weinstein includes a glossary and a list of references as a starting point to learn more about the magical and fascinating life of this American legend.—Patty Saidenberg, George Jackson Academy, New York City
Louis Armstrong's first trumpet narrates this story of Satchmo's boyhood. From his playing a toy horn around his New Orleans neighborhood to leading the Colored Waif's Home band to his days under bandleader King Oliver's tutelage, Armstrong's soon-to-be-illustrious career develops. The accessible text is filled with noteworthy facts and details. An afterword provides additional information. Bib., glos.
This account of Louis Armstrong’s boyhood in New Orleans, based on his own diaries, is a moving rags-to-riches story. Armstrong’s perseverance is truly inspiring. Told from the unique point of view of Armstrong’s cornet (“It was as if I was part of Louis ’n ’ he was part of me. My sound was his voice.”), the book has an appropriately jazzy narration, with musical slang and metaphors worked into the story. The text and illustrations both readily convey Armstrong’s enthusiasm for music without glossing over the hardships he faced.

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