I. BIBLIOGRAPHIC INFORMATION
Seeger, Pete and Paul Dubois Jacobs. 2006. THE DEAF MUSICIANS. Ill. by R. Gregory Christie. New York: G.P. Putnam’s Sons. ISBN 039924316X.
II. SUMMARY
Musician Lee plays jazz with his band. One night, his fellow band mates notice that Lee is losing his hearing. They tried to cover for him, but it became too difficult and he quit the band. He finds a school for the deaf and learns sign language. He meets other deaf musicians, and they start their own band. They rehearsed in the subway, and people really enjoyed their music.
III. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
THE DEAF MUSICIANS is a well-written sensitive story about a musician becoming deaf. He thinks he has lost his ability to play music forever, but he meets new friends who are deaf musicians. They form a band, and play to large crowds near the subway. The text has a singsong quality, and the Seeger and Jacobs have done an excellent job of bringing the sounds of jazz into the words. For example, the trumpets are described as going “doodle-bop-bop, boo-bang-bing” and the bass goes “Boomba-bum, boomba-bum.” The reader can almost hear the rhythm.
The illustrations by three-time Coretta Scott King Honor winner R. Gregory Christie are colorful and bold. The characters expressions are vivid and represent a multicultural view of urban life. The faces are not necessarily true to life, but the present the diversity in American culture. Some of the faces are purple, blue and gray.
As a work representing disabilities, the topic is covered in a realistic authentic way. Lee gradually loses his hearing, and he experiences some personal embarrassment about it. However, upon finding the school for the deaf and sign language, he once again has his dignity and ability to communicate. He even realizes an advantage to being able to sign on the loud subway. By using sign language, he can easily communicate to his friends over the sounds of the crowds and train. THE DEAF MUSICIANS presents a positive view of people with disabilities. Through the story, it is clear that just because someone is deaf, they do not have to stop doing something they love…even playing music.
IV. REVIEW EXCERPTS
"Christie's snazzy style matches perfectly with the book's vivacity. The expressive faces and bold use of color make the story sing. This is a great read-aloud that begs for enthusiastic performance and audience participation. Both uplifting and inclusive, it is a celebration of music and resilience"—School Library Journal
V. CONNECTIONS
**Include in a storytime. Teach the children some words in sign language. Sing a song using sign language.
Seeger, Pete and Paul Dubois Jacobs. 2006. THE DEAF MUSICIANS. Ill. by R. Gregory Christie. New York: G.P. Putnam’s Sons. ISBN 039924316X.
II. SUMMARY
Musician Lee plays jazz with his band. One night, his fellow band mates notice that Lee is losing his hearing. They tried to cover for him, but it became too difficult and he quit the band. He finds a school for the deaf and learns sign language. He meets other deaf musicians, and they start their own band. They rehearsed in the subway, and people really enjoyed their music.
III. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
THE DEAF MUSICIANS is a well-written sensitive story about a musician becoming deaf. He thinks he has lost his ability to play music forever, but he meets new friends who are deaf musicians. They form a band, and play to large crowds near the subway. The text has a singsong quality, and the Seeger and Jacobs have done an excellent job of bringing the sounds of jazz into the words. For example, the trumpets are described as going “doodle-bop-bop, boo-bang-bing” and the bass goes “Boomba-bum, boomba-bum.” The reader can almost hear the rhythm.
The illustrations by three-time Coretta Scott King Honor winner R. Gregory Christie are colorful and bold. The characters expressions are vivid and represent a multicultural view of urban life. The faces are not necessarily true to life, but the present the diversity in American culture. Some of the faces are purple, blue and gray.
As a work representing disabilities, the topic is covered in a realistic authentic way. Lee gradually loses his hearing, and he experiences some personal embarrassment about it. However, upon finding the school for the deaf and sign language, he once again has his dignity and ability to communicate. He even realizes an advantage to being able to sign on the loud subway. By using sign language, he can easily communicate to his friends over the sounds of the crowds and train. THE DEAF MUSICIANS presents a positive view of people with disabilities. Through the story, it is clear that just because someone is deaf, they do not have to stop doing something they love…even playing music.
IV. REVIEW EXCERPTS
"Christie's snazzy style matches perfectly with the book's vivacity. The expressive faces and bold use of color make the story sing. This is a great read-aloud that begs for enthusiastic performance and audience participation. Both uplifting and inclusive, it is a celebration of music and resilience"—School Library Journal
V. CONNECTIONS
**Include in a storytime. Teach the children some words in sign language. Sing a song using sign language.
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