Overview

Louis Armstrong, also known as Satchmo and Pops , became an American jazz legend in the 1920s. His voice and skill with instruments helped him become a popular musician in a time where America was racially divided. Watch as this skilled musician learns to play, buys his first instrument, and becomes one of the best music makers of the era.

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9781429686228

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Reviews

A brief but rich look at the life of Louis Armstrong, mostly referred to as Satchmo throughout. Told from his own point of view as he tells his story from his hospital bed in the 1970s, Armstrong lived through a tumultuous era in America, especially for a black man. . . .the book focuses mostly on his music and his career on stage and screen. He is presented as a happy man with a positive outlook and attitude.-- It's All Comic to Me blog The narrative tone of this graphic novel (aimed at elementary students) is Armstrong's own voice, told through a short history he wrote while recuperating in a hospital bed. The pace of the book is quick, moving from one event to another like a riff, and as always with Capstone Press graphic books, there is a solid glossary at the back with musical terminology and a text version of Armstrong's life...-- Kevin's Meandering Mind blog 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 Armstrong--also known as Satchmo --in the hospital, with the warning to take better care of himself. From there, we flash back to Louis's 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 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.-- Booklist

Author Information

An award-winning newspaper reporter and columnist, Terry Collins now writes fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and graphic novels for readers of all ages. Some of his latest titles include biographies of Elvis Presley and Louis Armstrong. A National Board Certified English instructor, he now teaches literature and creative writing in his hometown of Mount Airy, North Carolina.

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