Author Illustrator: Bonnie Christensen http://www.bonniechristensen.com/
Publisher: Flash Point, 2011
ISBN: 978-1596436961
Oil Paint
Annotation
This deep rhythmic biography of gypsy jazz guitarist Django Reinhardt takes the readers from his musical gypsy childhood and tragedy to his adult life, resilience and fame.
Personal reaction:
French Gypsy guitarist Django Reinhardt played his fast moving gypsy jazz with only 7 fingers after he lost three in a tragic fire as a young man, just beginning to gain fame. He spent years practicing and over coming the odds. I use this book as a read aloud with older students, most have never heard of Django or his music. I start out playing his music and tell them I heard a rumor he only has 7 fingers. I then ask if they think someone with only 7 fingers could play like he could. The majority believe this to be a rumor, setting up a discussion of rumors and the useful nonfiction content of Biographies.
The way the book unfolds like one of Django’s own tunes creates a sentimental and meaningful story for students. My students could relate to his paternal abandonment, his poverty, minority status, and resilience. The classes I read this to always requested an extra minute or two to soak up the rich oil paintings. I will read this every year to the upper grade classes, it is a jewel.
**Lesson Plan https://docs.google.com/leaf?id=0BzBMSRW54LduNmRmMmU2YmItNjQ5Mi00MTEzLWExOWItY2M3ZGIxZGIxNjQ2&hl=en_US
**Rythm
Starred Review
Multicultural
Biography
Schneider Family Award
Booklist Top 10 Biographies for Youth (2010)
Publisher: Flash Point, 2011
ISBN: 978-1596436961
Oil Paint
Annotation
This deep rhythmic biography of gypsy jazz guitarist Django Reinhardt takes the readers from his musical gypsy childhood and tragedy to his adult life, resilience and fame.
Personal reaction:
French Gypsy guitarist Django Reinhardt played his fast moving gypsy jazz with only 7 fingers after he lost three in a tragic fire as a young man, just beginning to gain fame. He spent years practicing and over coming the odds. I use this book as a read aloud with older students, most have never heard of Django or his music. I start out playing his music and tell them I heard a rumor he only has 7 fingers. I then ask if they think someone with only 7 fingers could play like he could. The majority believe this to be a rumor, setting up a discussion of rumors and the useful nonfiction content of Biographies.
The way the book unfolds like one of Django’s own tunes creates a sentimental and meaningful story for students. My students could relate to his paternal abandonment, his poverty, minority status, and resilience. The classes I read this to always requested an extra minute or two to soak up the rich oil paintings. I will read this every year to the upper grade classes, it is a jewel.
**Lesson Plan https://docs.google.com/leaf?id=0BzBMSRW54LduNmRmMmU2YmItNjQ5Mi00MTEzLWExOWItY2M3ZGIxZGIxNjQ2&hl=en_US
**Rythm
Starred Review
Multicultural
Biography
Schneider Family Award
Booklist Top 10 Biographies for Youth (2010)
