Hopkins Award Poetry

Jazz

By: Walter Dean Myers

Illustrated By: Christopher Myers

Myers, Walter Dean. 2006. Jazz. Ill. by Christopher Myers. New York, NY; Holiday House.

ISBN: 978083421732

Jazz by Walter Dean Myers is an award winning collection of poems focusing on the elements of jazz music. Many of the poems contain words that express the sound of jazz. "Twenty-Finger Jack" is an example of how Myers takes words such as, "Be ba boodie", and gives the reader the sense imagery of hearing the jazz music actually being played.

All of the poems in the collection stir up different emotions as the poems are read. "Be-Bop" is an example of a poem that makes the reader excited and happy about jazz music. "Good-Bye To Old Bob Johnson" is a poem about a funeral precession and even though the poem displays the emotion of sadness, the reader understands that jazz music can be played and heard in many different types of situations.

Music is something that all kids enjoy. Learning about a special type of music appeals to young readers. The poems that are featured enrich and extend a person knowledge and insight about jazz music. Myers has included a timeline about the history of jazz as well as a glossary of jazz terms in the back of the book. These things also help enrich the reader's knowledge about jazz.

Christopher Myers supplies the book with vibrant illustrations of African American jazz musicians and their musical instruments. The paintings in the book are very appropriate and go well with the poems.

Jazz is a collection of poems that all readers will enjoy. The words and rhythm that make up the poems allow the reader to actually hear the jazz music as if it was really being played. Myers has done an amazing job of making the music come to life through poetry.

Be-Bop

Oh be-bop be-bop, oh whee

OH WHEE!

Oh be-bop be-bop,

don't you dig I'm free?

Oh be-bop be-bop,

do you dig my jive?

This jazz that I'M playing

is keeping me alive!

The sweet honey changing

And the mood rearranging

And the ax that I'm grinding

And the melody I'm finding

Goes screa---min',

Goes screamin',

Goes screa---screa---screamin'

To the moon!

Activity: This poem is great to use to teach children about onamonpias. The teacher would start off telling students to try to think of the instrument that is being used in the poem. Students should listen for onamonpias that are used in the poem they read. After the teacher reads the poem several times students share what instrument they think is featured in the poem. The teacher then tells the students that the poem has the sound of a saxophone in it. The teacher plays a recording of a saxophone and discusses with students the onamonpias that are used in the poem, such as "be-bop" and "oh whee." Next students can listen to other instruments and brainstorm other onamonpias for their sounds.