From: Renee Hoxie <rhoxie>
Date: Thu, 29 Jan 1998 11:22:21 -0600

I'm glad that Ginny mentioned HARLEM, reminding us that no one has yet commented on the book. HARLEM is certainly one of my favorites this year. It's a picture book perfectly suited to middle school students; I think our art teachers and social studies teachers will find a place for it in their curricula.

I really appreciate the vibrant colors repeated through the book, and find the blending of music and color outstanding. The words create images filled with sound: "colors loud enough to be heard" - "sun yellow" - "burnt umber"
- "brought a call, a song" - "riffling past resolution" - "chorus of summer herbs" - "slam-dunk dreams". The images of listening for the blues and the language of darkness, of music, are powerful, and for me, bring to mind the positive of what I know about Harlem.

Renee Hoxie, School Library Media Specialist Thomas Jefferson Middle School 101 South Gammon Road Madison, Wisconsin 53717 phone 608?9A21
Received on Thu 29 Jan 1998 11:22:21 AM CST