February 1, 2013
Grades 4-8 This title in the American Graphics series, which introduces legends in our country's history, turns its attention to jazz-great Louis Armstrong. Presented in graphic novel format and rendered fittingly in jazzy shades of blue, the book opens in 1969 with Louis Armstrongalso known as Satchmoin the hospital, with the warning to take better care of himself. From there, we flash back to Louis' childhood, when he's sent to the Colored Waifs' Home for Boys (and is introduced to the cornet), before moving forward to his teen years and onward to his storied career. In sections on the '50s and '60s, readers witness Armstrong's encounters with racism; his tour of Africa; and his recording session for Hello, Dolly! What works so well here is that the main narrative, told in Armstrong's voice and appearing in rectangular boxes, is clearly differentiated from the dialogue in word bubbles. The panels pace well, with no more than three to a page, and larger moments appear on full pages. Nicely done, with solid back matter; reluctant readers and comic-book fans should learn a lot about Satchmo's legacy.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2013, American Library Association.)