Book Detail

Django: World's Greatest Jazz Guitarist

Publication Information
Author:  Christensen, Bonnie Illustrator:  Christensen, Bonnie
Title:  Django: World's Greatest Jazz Guitarist Date:  2009
Publisher:  Roaring Book Press City:  New York
ISBN, paperback:   ISBN, hardback:  

Recommended audience:
ABE/ABLE:   Yes ESOL:   Yes
Family:   Yes Young Adult:   Yes
Picture:   Yes

General Information:
Book Type(s):    biography and autobiography, poetry

HSE Descriptor(s):    social studies

Summary:
In descriptive, poetic, rhythmic (8 count meter per line as the rhythm of music) text the life story of Django Reinhardt is sketched for the reader. The illustrations offer a glimpse into the life of gypsies and the challenges this guitarist endured to become one of the best and most original in the jazz world. Additional notes and resources at the end of the book offer a fuller story or where to go to learn more.

Teaching Ideas:
The story has specific (8 beat structure) such that it could be followed to add more background to who Django was. Students could research info and then present in similar structure. They could also use the structure to write events in their own life, particularly where they were presented with challenges and how they dealt with these. The language of this story is very descriptive and can be used for a sketch to stretch as the story is read. Also - to listen to Django's music and sketch while listening would extend the feel and sense of his music and life. As the story is filled with perseverance as a theme, the framework of problem solution would highlight the ways he coped with the challenges in his life. A study of the gypsy history and culture would develop background for reading this story. Also there were particular musicians he played with (Grapelli) so it would be interesting to learn more about them.

Teaching Strategies:
bullet Copy Change
   http://literacy.kent.edu/eureka/strategies/copy_change.pdf
bullet Fluency Activities
   http://literacy.kent.edu/eureka/strategies/fluency_activities.pdf
bullet Sketch to Stretch
   http://literacy.kent.edu/eureka/strategies/sketch_stretch.pdf
bullet Think-Pair-Share
   http://literacy.kent.edu/eureka/strategies/think_pair_share.pdf
bullet Problem and Solution Outline and Text Frame
   http://literacy.kent.edu/eureka/strategies/prob_solution.pdf

Keywords: select any link below for a list of resources which also have that keyword
bullet Ethnic Groups
bullet Emotions-Personal Issues > emotions > determination/perseverance
bullet Music
bullet Music > jazz
bullet Music > musicians
bullet Literature and Language > rhythm
bullet Literature and Language > poetry


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