Jimmy's Rhythm & Blues: The Extraordinary Life of James Baldwin

by Michelle Meadows, Jamiel Law (Illustrator)

Overview

Celebrate James Baldwin’s one-hundredth birthday anniversary with the first-ever illustrated biography of this legendary writer, orator, activist, and intellectual.

Before he became a writer, James “Jimmy” Baldwin was a young boy from Harlem, New York, who loved stories. He found joy in the rhythm of music, family, and books.

But Jimmy also found the blues, as a Black man living in America.

When he discovered the written word, he discovered true power. Writing gave him a voice. And that voice opened the world to Jimmy. From the publication of the groundbreaking collection of essays The Fire Next Time to his passionate demonstrations during the civil rights movement, Jimmy used his voice fearlessly.

Michelle Meadows, author of Brave Ballerina and Flying High, introduces young readers to the great American novelist, essayist, poet, playwright, orator, and artist James Baldwin, who, with the fire of his pen, dared a nation to dream of a more equitable world filled with love. Brought to life with warm illustrations by Jamiel Law, Jimmy’s Rhythm & Blues chronicles the life of an incredible visionary who left an indelible mark on American literature and history.

 

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780063273474
Publisher:	HarperCollins
Publication date:	01/30/2024
Pages:	48
Sales rank:	270,005
Product dimensions:	8.40(w) x 11.00(h) x 0.50(d)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Michelle Meadows is the author of many acclaimed books for children. She loves dreaming up new projects and telling stories with heart. Some of her books include Flying High: The Story of Gymnastics Champion Simone Biles and Brave Ballerina: The Story of Janet Collins. Michelle also contributed to Black Ballerinas: My Journey to Our Legacy by Misty Copeland. With a passion for storytelling, Michelle graduated from Syracuse University with a dual degree in journalism and literature. Michelle grew up in Washington, DC, and now lives near the beach in Delaware with her husband. Visit Michelle at michellemeadows.com.

Jamiel Law is an illustrator, problem solver, and creative thinker. He was born and raised in Sarasota, Florida. It was here where Law was exposed to the arts and the cultures behind them. He strives to make every art piece matter by taking the time to consider its meaning and importance to himself and the viewer. The goal is to create work that resonates with others and establishes a genuine connection. When not at his desk, Jamiel can be seen lounging around with his family or hooping at a local park. You can visit Jamiel at jamiellaw.com.

Editorial Reviews

★ 11/20/2023

“Home is brick brown,/ Harlem, uptown,/ trains rumbling by” begins this fittingly poetic biography of writer James Baldwin (1924–1987). Cast in neutral tones and lustrous blues and browns, Law’s art opens on Baldwin caring for younger siblings in a cramped Harlem apartment, where he reads all he can despite his preacher father’s objections. Though Baldwin faces bullying and prejudice from an early age, he finds support in those who believe in his abilities, and begins to write. Moving first to Greenwich Village, then to Paris, he works “to capture/ the voice of his ancestors, stand up for oppressed people,/ and push the world to change.” Incorporating hue-based lines to introduce narrative beats (“Paris is fog gray”), Meadows slowly unveils Baldwin’s many facets—burgeoning writer; activist; Black, queer icon—across an elegantly rendered work about a man “with compassion in his heart and a pen in his hand.” Back matter includes an author’s note. Ages 4–8. (Jan.)

Publishers Weekly

[An] engaging narrative about Baldwin’s literary prowess and staunch activism. — Horn Book (starred review)

[An] elegantly rendered work. — Publishers Weekly (starred review)

"Readers [will] be mesmerized by Law’s masterful illustrations…This stunning picture book biography is highly recommended." — School Library Journal (starred review)

Jimmy's Rhythm & Blues captures the warmth and brilliance of Baldwin's writing and the tenderness and depth of his soul. Meadows's poetic prose hits all the right notes. — Renée Watson, #1 New York Times Bestselling Author

Meadows retraces the career of a brilliant novelist and essayist. — Booklist

A high-quality introduction to an important figure in American literature.  — Kirkus Reviews

[A] joyful look at Black literary excellence. — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

From the Publisher

★ 05/24/2024

Gr 4–6—Despite the title's suggestion of a musical subject, this book takes on legendary writer James Baldwin. It covers his life from his childhood in Harlem during the Great Depression, to his early beginnings as a writer and expat, to his involvement in the Civil Rights movement, relationship with Lucien Happersberger, and the final years of his career. Meadows gets into enough detail for readers to understand the nuances of Baldwin's life without totally overwhelming them, but the level of detail and concepts discussed make this biography appropriate for older elementary or middle grade readers. Sentences are simple and direct, lending an atmosphere of seriousness that matches the book's iconic subject. Back matter includes a time line and list of sources. Readers across a wide range of grade levels will be mesmerized by Law's masterful illustrations, which employ an expressive use of color and perspective. VERDICT This stunning picture book biography is highly recommended.—Maria Bohan

School Library Journal

2023-11-18
Early life experiences and talent set James Baldwin on the path to greatness.

James Baldwin, called “Jimmy” by family and friends, grew up in Harlem during the Great Depression. He loved reading and found a way to express himself through writing, which became an important part of who he was. One of his teachers, Orilla Winfield, nurtured his interest in the arts, taking him to plays and museums, and when he was in junior high, he was mentored by poet Countee Cullen. Jimmy initially followed in his father’s footsteps by becoming a preacher, until he realized writing could mean so much more. He sought out other creatives and eventually moved to Europe. In Switzerland he fell in love with painter Lucien Happersberger and completed Go Tell It on the Mountain (1953), his first published novel. In Europe, he felt free from the discrimination of life in the United States, but he remained connected to the struggle for rights in his home country, using his unique talent to write and speak about the Black experience. Writing in verse, Meadows employs vivid imagery to convey Baldwin’s passion for writing, his desire for freedom, and his love for friends and family. The stories she chooses to highlight provide a full picture of the iconic writer and demonstrate his importance in African American literary history. Digital illustrations complement the text with a rich, warm palette.

A high-quality introduction to an important figure in American literature. (author’s note, James Baldwin’s oeuvre, timeline, selected sources, photos, photo credits) (Picture-book biography. 4-8)

Kirkus Reviews