What You Need to Know:
• This is a wonderful and comprehensive book on the late, great Ella Fitzgerald.
• During the depression, this young woman, against all odds, survived and flourished because of hard work, amazing
talent and spirit.
• While it's a picture book, it has quite a lot of text, so it is best used with an older audience.
• This will make a great addition to a "Great Americans" shelf or "Amazing Women in History" shelf in your library,
Black History month or not.
• If children or adults want to learn more about Ella, here is a terrific website for all things Ella. |
Sweet Book Summary:
Skit-Scat Raggedy Cat: Ella Fitzgerald is an amazing biography of a trail-blazing woman of color, who against all odds and with an amazing amount of hard work, found her way, first, to survival, and then to fame and fortune. Ella was a personal favorite of my late father, and full disclosure, I was weaned on her music. That said, I had no idea of her life until I read this wonderful book. What a life she led! Ella faced enormous odds. Her mother died at a young age, her guardian fed her and clothed her, but did not do much more than that. But Ella's feet wouldn't stop moving to the beat of the new jazz she was hearing coming from that magical place, Harlem. Ella ended up in a school for orphans, but made a remarkable escape from that lonely and terrifying place, and headed straight to her promised land, 125th Street. After a LOT of hard work, sometimes even living on the street, Ella ended up at the Apollo theartre, and the rest, as they say, is history! This lovely biography tells her story respectfully, with outstanding artwork that jumps off the page. I especially liked how the author took Ella's story to a new audience, children, and made it very easy for them to read and understand it. |
Author: Roxane Orgill Illustrator: Sean Qualls Published: 2010, 48 pages
Themes: Diversity, Biography, Ethnicity/Culture, Individuality, Exquisite Illustrations |
Sweet Discussion Questions:
• What do you think about Ella's life and struggles?
• Do you understand the obstacles Ella faced?
• How do you think she handled her obstacles?
• What did Ella possess that allowed her to become so successful?
• Have you ever listened to Jazz? If not, do you want to now? If so, how can you find some jazz to listen to?
• What do you think it was like to live during the great depression?
• Do you think you could have been as brave as Ella at such a young age? Did she have a choice? |
| This recommendation was written by: Melissa Y. |
| Support Independent Book Shops: Click Here to Buy this Book on IndieBound |
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Capture the Flag
