The Jazz Kid, James Lincoln Collier
The Jazz Kid, James Lincoln Collier
List: $16.95 | Sale: $11.87
Club: $8.47

The Jazz Kid

Author: James Lincoln Collier

Narrator: August Ross

Unabridged: 5 hr 19 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: AudioBookShelf

Published: 02/01/2013


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.

About James Lincoln Collier

James Lincoln Collier has written many books for children, including Give Dad My Best and Planet out of the Past. He has also contributed more than five hundred articles to the New York Times Magazine, Reader’s Digest, and Boy’s Life. His honors include the Kidger Prize for Teaching, the Jane Addams Peace Prize, and the Newbery Honor.

About August Ross

August Ross is a performer who enjoys listening to natural science and science fiction podcasts while washing the dishes at home.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Megan on August 30, 2015

A great book I picked up at my library's book sale. The conflict between the narrator and his father reminds me of The Jazz Singer (which is possibly intentional). The book has a great rhythm, the voices of the characters are genuine, and it is definitely highly recommended. It does contain the lang......more

Goodreads review by Gary on May 05, 2017

I found this to be an excellent read,and gave a vivid picture of Chicago's jazz world of the 1920's.Paulie,the 13 year old boy who wanted to be a jazz musician learned a valuable lesson about obeying his parents.Frank,Paulie's father also learned not to get mixed up with gangsters like Herb.The lure......more

Goodreads review by Sarah on November 06, 2021

3.5 stars. The writing was well done. The story had some great character building, and it was fun to read about some jazz history. Not my favorite storyline or subtopics, also didn’t love some of the language, but interesting nevertheless.......more

Goodreads review by Kentzhang on January 05, 2011

I love this book i read it for an essay.......more


Quotes

“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