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The Jazz Kid by James Lincoln Collier

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The Jazz Kid

Author
James Lincoln Collier
Narrator
August Ross
Publish Date
1 February 2013
Run Time
5 hours 19 minutes
Format
Audiobook
Genre
Children’s / Teenage fiction: General fiction, Children’s / Teenage fiction: Historical fiction, Children’s / Teenage fiction: General fiction, Children’s / Teenage general interest: Music
$13.95

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What to expect

Paulie Horvath is never going to be a good student like his brother, John, never going to follow his hardworking father into the plumbing trade, never going to ease his mother's mind by passing tests or cleaning up his room. But once he hears jazz by accident from the basement of a speakeasy, he knows exactly what he will do: learn that music and make it his life. Jazz is all around in gangland Chicago, but not so easy for a twelve-year-old to find, especially when his father disapproves of it. Paulie has to lie, beg, and steal just to get time for lessons, time to practice, time to slip across town to see stars like King Oliver and Louis Armstrong.

Lies last only so long until they are found out, and a confrontation is coming. Will he choose home and family or sleazy dives with that wonderful music? To decide, Paulie has to face an even tougher question. What is jazz, after all?

Author James Lincoln Collier has played and studied jazz throughout his life. Here is a novel that shows us a great moment in the history of jazz, and points at issues that still trouble us today.

Critics Review

  • “Collier deftly recreates the spirit of 1920s Chicago and the thriving world of jazz and its stars…Collier’s knowledge and love of the subject are apparent.”

    Publishers Weekly

  • “Collier writes with accurate detail and creates believable, realistic characters…The multiple themes of music, family, and responsibility harmonize to make one fine story.”

    School Library Journal

  • “Collier wraps his music lesson in an agreeable package. Most important, he gets the story of Chicago jazz right, both historically and emotionally.”

    Booklist

  • “Collier offers a convincing portrait of a feckless young person who’s capable of fierce concentration when he's doing what matters to him.”

    Kirkus Reviews

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Details
Author
James Lincoln Collier
Narrator
August Ross
Duration
5 hours 19 minutes
Release Date
1 February 2013
ISBN
9781620646502
Format
Audiobook
Genre
Children’s / Teenage fiction: General fiction, Children’s / Teenage fiction: Historical fiction, Children’s / Teenage fiction: General fiction, Children’s / Teenage general interest: Music

Synopsis

Paulie Horvath is never going to be a good student like his brother, John, never going to follow his hardworking father into the plumbing trade, never going to ease his mother's mind by passing tests or cleaning up his room. But once he hears jazz by accident from the basement of a speakeasy, he knows exactly what he will do: learn that music and make it his life. Jazz is all around in gangland Chicago, but not so easy for a twelve-year-old to find, especially when his father disapproves of it. Paulie has to lie, beg, and steal just to get time for lessons, time to practice, time to slip across town to see stars like King Oliver and Louis Armstrong. Lies last only so long until they are found out, and a confrontation is coming. Will he choose home and family or sleazy dives with that wonderful music? To decide, Paulie has to face an even tougher question. What is jazz, after all? Author James Lincoln Collier has played and studied jazz throughout his life. Here is a novel that shows us a great moment in the history of jazz, and points at issues that still trouble us today.

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