Harlem Summer

This is a good story, although it feels a bit like a story written to teach about a particular period in history. It has lots of details that seem a little artificially given, as though the author had a list of people, events, and vocabulary terms that must be included in the story. However, it's not a bad way to learn about the Harlem renaissance.

HARLEM SUMMER is a wonderful book that pairs historical fiction with the day-to-day struggles of a teenager trying to find his place in life. Mark's character has a universal appeal, and his voice is genuine and humorous. At the end of the book there are brief biographical sketches and photos of many of the famous people who find their way in the story. Walter Dean Myers has written a funny and engaging tale that reminds us that all of our decisions have consequences and that life on the shady side of the street isn't always what it is cracked up to be.

Follows 16-year-old Mark Purvis as he navigates the vibrant Harlem Renaissance, gets involved in a dangerous delivery job for jazz musician Fats Waller, and runs afoul of gangster Dutch Schultz, all while dealing with family financial hardship and his own dreams of playing the saxophone.

I've always wanted to read Walter Dean Myers and finally got the opportunity. It is as I thought. His books must all teach good lessons. This one did. It was about a young man in 1925s Harlem who unknowingly got mixed up in illegal activities. He was faced with a decision as to whether to continue making money this way or not make much money and be legal. I loved the way Dean wrote this. He included a lot of real life celebrities from that time. He included a lot of the arts from that time period...especially the music. That is one reason I chose this book. I have always loved music and was familiar with the musicians mentioned in this book except for one or two. Great book for young adults and a fun story for me!

Reviewed by Christian C. for TeensReadToo.com

It's the summer of 1925 in Harlem, a summer that sixteen-year-old Mark Purvis will never forget. In just a months time, Mark will get to meet the best and the worst people of New York City.

Mark gets a job at The Crisis, a magazine that promotes and encourages "New Negroes." The magazine was part of a movement created during that time with a mission to discover talented persons of color -- poets, novelists, and musicians -- and show them to the world.

But Mark is not so sure that he wants to become a "New Negro." What he really wants to do is become a famous jazz player and play the saxophone with his band. So when "Fats," a well known piano player who made records, offers him and his friend, show more Henry, what sounds like an "innocent" job loading trucks in New Jersey, Mark and Henry don't think twice. This could be the opportunity they were looking for, their big break, a golden chance to be with "Fats" and tell him all about their jazz band. Maybe he could even help them get a record deal.

What Mark didn't know is that the job was actually for the most dangerous man and leading bootlegger, Dutch Schultz. And Mark didn't know that what they helped load was illegal alcohol, and that the truck driver was going to drive away, all of a sudden, with the merchandise. And now Dutch Schultz wants his money back, and he wants Mark and Henry to pay for it.

Will Mark get the money for Dutch Shultz? Will Mark become a "New Negro?" Will he be able to keep his job at The Crisis? Or will Mark end up traveling the wrong path? You'll have to read the book to find out.

Every single word in Walter Dean Myers' book flows effortlessly in this entertaining novel. He makes writing look easy.

HARLEM SUMMERS is a book that will strike a chord with all readers. Parents will love the lack of cursing and sex often seen in young adult literature. (Although, to be honest, I think that the author could have used some more cursing to make the dialogue sound a little more realistic.) Teachers and librarians will LOVE this novel that complements perfectly what we studied in 8th-grade social studies. I'm sure that this book will soon be part of many recommended summer reading lists. nd teens will love the story, because after all... who wouldn't want to meet the head of a notorious gang?!

The end of the book contains a section with biographical information of real individuals that appear in the book and lived in New York City during that period, like Alfred Knopf, Langston Hughes, "Bumby" Johnson, and others. show less

Bootleggers. Harlem. Summertime. Jazz music. These elements and more add to this narrative told in the humorous voice of a sixteen year old who learns the consequences of his decisions. This adventure takes place in the surroundings of the Harlem Renaissance with memorable characters such as Langston Hughes. This story would serve as a wonderful precursor to the study of Harlem Renaissance poetry. Also, the pictures in the back of the book could serve as a springboard to research/presentation projects.

Submitted by Noah...
THis book was NOT a page turner but showed how a boy in harlem grows up in the 1920's. The boy works for a magazine that advertises and praises the "New Negro" a new breed of black writers and eduacators. He also gets caught in the New York gangster buisness with big money but also big police men. He is stuck in these two contradicting situations with money, family, freinds, and music in between it all. Then when things get really rough no one can watch his back except himself.