S.D. > Recent Status Updates

The structure of this textbook will be invaluable to my students, particularly the sections at the end of each chapter because the majority of students who take Children’s Lit at the college where I teach are majoring in Liberal Arts to become teachers themselves. This textbook becomes useful to them not only as students but as future educators as well. The review and investigate sections will help me tremendously.

These poems detail the life of Billie Holiday in unimaginable ways: a girl without a real home, a twelve year old turned prostitute. The poet’s voice is searing.

This book includes more than jazz; it details blues and R&B artists as well. I was fascinated by Curtis Counce’s “Exploring the Future” album cover and even more curious about the sound. A timeline or discography in the back of the book would’ve been a great addition because these pages contain so many artists and their songs.

The review, reflect, and investigative sections of chapter 1 are well-thought out and engaging.

I had no idea Alvin Ailey grew up on Central Avenue and attended Jefferson High. Such cool history contained in these pages!

I truly appreciate that this book acknowledges the sexism in jazz while highlighting several women who made their mark despite the barriers.