Simple and quick, it's a slice of a different life.

Williams-Garcia knows how to create strong and memorable characters. She knows how to write characters' voices to the point that you can actually feel the warmth of their breath on your neck because they are whisper-reading to you. I liked Clayton. I wept for him when his beloved grandfather, the one guy who got him, up and died in the first fifty pages. I wondered about his mom, who on the outside appeared to be a devout Christian woman (whatever that is supposed to mean) turns out to be distant. And cold. And unfeeling. I mean, your kid's grandad dies suddenly and you don't allow him to help honor his memory at the service because of appearances? You give all of his possessions away for a pittance without any mind to how that makes your only child feel? As a matter of fact, you see his distress and tell him to shut it? And let's not even talk about her odd relationship with Clayton's dad. Hmmmm. This must be a good book to stir up such strong feelings from me.

"He hurt the little girl in her. Too many times. You know about being hurt too many times."

I so wanted to love this book but I just felt like it left too much unsaid. In some ways the ambiguity about relationships, feelings, and various plot elements was a cool tool to get the reader thinking but then there seemed to be so little closure on almost all of these elements in a way that makes me feel like kids will not eat this book up in the same way they have RWG's other amazing work. Though I enjoyed some of the guessing I did as an adult reading this book, I don't think kids will feel the same.

Clayton Byrd's grandfather, Cool Papa Byrd, is his compass in this world. Cool Papa is a part of the "Bluesmen" band. They all know cool blues and Clayton wants to be one of them. Then Cool Papa dies in his sleep and Clayton's whole world falls apart. His mother, who never approved of Clayton playing the blues, gives away all of Cool Papa's things away and forbids Clayton to play the blues. Clayton is in pain and seemingly has no one to talk to so he runs away and into trouble in NYC.

Clayton Byrd loves the blues. He plays the blues harp (harmonica) with his grandfather, Cool Papa Byrd. Clayton longs for a solo, but Papa says it isn't time yet - Clayton needs to find his blues. Papa Byrd passes away unexpectedly, and Clayton's mom tries to get rid of everything that belongs to his grandpa. Clayton is upset and runs away to find the Bluesmen who played with his grandpa, but his journey does not go according to plan. His ride subway of New York leads him to danger and a whole lot of trouble. I don't think this misadventure was quite the type of blues Clayton had in mind!

A bit thin and too easily wrapped up.

Meh, I wanted to LOVE this book. I hated the mom character; I wanted more of Clayton's dad (and we never understand why he's not around--I think he wants to be), Clayton learns a lesson, but I can't figure out why/what...

Clayton Byrd loves his Cool Papa Byrd grandfather more than anything. Cool Papa plays the blues and has taught Clayton how to on his blues harp (harmonica). They play with other blues musicians and have a great time together. Cool Papa also reads to Clayton each night and makes him his favorite dinner of fish sticks and spaghetti. When Cool Papa dies unexpectedly one night Clayton's world is torn apart. Clayton's mom does not handle it well. She resented her father for not spending time with her as a child and for being such a good grandpa to Clayton. She gets rid of all of his things including those promised to Clayton. All of Cool Papa's guitars and records and show clothes go on the garage sale. Clayton is only able to salvage is hat. When mama takes away the blues harp Clayton has had enough and runs away. He gets involved with some gang kids on the subway and ends up in jail.

I loved the relationship between Clayton and Cool Papa and could have read an entire book about them. The rest of the book was definitely not the greatest and I don't understand how this book made the National Book Award. I thought the mom was HORRIBLE. She is hateful and mean and a terrible parent. She lets her own frustration at how her father was on the road when she was a child affect how she treats Clayton. Basically she punishes him for her childhood. The fact that she got rid of all of Cool Papa's things and basically wanted to banish his memory from the house was the worst possible way to deal with Clayton's grief. I also don't understand the relationship with Clayton's father. He is obviously still in the picture, but she refuses to let him have a decent relationship with Clayton. If I was Clayton I would move in with dad and leave mom to her craziness. I am not even going to talk about the ridiculousness of the "underground" story. Basically Clayton falls in with a bunch of buskers on the subway who steal his stuff yet he hangs out with them and plays music. It was ridiculous and made no sense. I am a fan of the Gaither Sisters series, bu this book was a huge disappointment.

Realistic fiction that plays the music of love, loss, and grief, the final verse leaving the reader with hope. Book tasting winter 2020.

An emotional story of a young man experiencing grief and anger that prompt him to test boundaries and push family relationships. Real and affecting.