National Book Award Finalist Kirkus Best Books of 2017 Horn Book Best Books of 2017 Publishers
Weekly Best Books of 2017 School Library Journal Best Books of 2017 NAACP Image Awards Nominee
Chicago Public Library Best Books Boston Globe Best Books of 2017From beloved Newbery Honor
winner and three-time Coretta Scott King Award winner Rita Williams-Garcia comes a powerful and
heartfelt novel about loss family and love that will appeal to fans of Jason Reynolds and
Kwame Alexander.Clayton feels most alive when he's with his grandfather Cool Papa Byrd and
the band of Bluesmen-he can't wait to join them just as soon as he has a blues song of his
own. But then the unthinkable happens. Cool Papa Byrd dies and Clayton's mother forbids
Clayton from playing the blues. And Clayton knows that's no way to live.Armed with his
grandfather's brown porkpie hat and his harmonica he runs away from home in search of the
Bluesmen hoping he can join them on the road. But on the journey that takes him through the
New York City subways and to Washington Square Park Clayton learns some things that surprise
him.This slim novel strikes a strong chord.-Publishers Weekly (starred review)This complex tale
of family and forgiveness has heart. -School Library Journal (starred review)Strong
characterizations and vivid musical scenes add layers to this warm family story. -Kirkus
Reviews (starred review)An appealing realistic story with frequent elegant turns of phrase.
-The Horn Book (starred review)Garcia-Williams skillfully finds melody in words. -Booklist
(starred review)
