Sweethearts of Rhythm

The beautiful watercolors done by illustrator Jerry Pinkney are as central to the book as Nelson's poetic approach to telling the story of one of the most talented swing bands of the World War I era. Individual poems (song lyrics really) tell the story of each member of the Sweethearts of Rhythm. The book tells many stories at once that need to be heard: it addresses poverty, segregation, racism, and life as a woman in a male-dominated society (even if the males were half a world away fighting a war). Aside from the obvious uses of the book for elementary social studies, a music teacher might also assign the book with the idea that jazz and blues, or music generally, belongs to everyone, and one does not have to be a member of a certain show more group to play or enjoy it. show less

The Sweethearts of Rhythm was a 16 piece big band from the 1940's that played swing music. They are historic because they wear one of the only bands that were all women and fully integrated. Marilyn Nelson pays tribute to them by righting 16 poems, one for each member of the band. The poems are written in, as she describes, "swingier triple meters, borrowing rhythms from several nineteenth century poems." While writing she imagined that all the the band member's instruments ended up in the back of a pawnshop in New Orleans and began telling their stories. The illustrator Jerry Pinkney vividly brings to life the music of Marilyn Nelsons poems. The poems and the illustrations groove in concert just as the Sweethearts did, coming together show more for a memorable experience. show less

I liked reading this book for a couple of reasons. My favorite part of the book was the wonderful illustrations within the book. They were not simply just pictures but felt like additions to the story. The pictures help tell the story. They are beautiful, colorful and aid in the readers understanding of the story. My favorite picture is the one of the man dancing with a woman and swinging her, there are clippings of the song and music around them. I love their facial expressions and having the clippings around them helps the reader visualize the song and the movement that is happening in the picture. The next aspect of the book I liked is that each page is a different poem. The poems make the reader feel like they are in the 1940s show more listening to the swing band. I liked that the poems were varied, the have many rhyme schemes, and free verse. The poems almost mimicked swing music. Finally I liked that the story pushes the reader to think about more controversial subjects. During this time in the 1940s the world was at war and this all-female interracial group toured the country performed jazz music all over. These women used their talents even though they were women in a “mans” profession. This story pushes the reader to think about how these women felt during this time. The big idea/message of this story is not to fear walking the path less traveled; don’t be afraid to do something controversial. show less

Poetry is not my favourite format, but Pinkney's wonderful colour illustrations pulled me in. Each poem is an instrument telling the story of its player - a member of an all-girl swing band. The years of the band encompass depression, war, armistice, and segregation. I read the poems with no knowledge of the band's history, and I think this is a good way to read them - the author's note at the end filled in the background. I especially liked the drum solo.
I'd give this to jazz, poetry, or historical fiction fans - but also for someone who would enjoy biography through art - the illustrations are really special.

This book is a fantastic way to look at history in the context of music, and how music influences and drives us. It takes the reader into rich text of women's suffrage, racism and how music has been used in american history. At the same time it's illustrations provide vivid historical images of the times, and creates a beautiful collage of dance, music, diversity, history and war. A great book for discussing art, dance, music, or social studies.

The International Sweethearts of Rhythm was an interracial, all-female jazz band. eir story is told through songs, poems, and watercolor paintings that provide a close look at American society in the 1940s.