Coretta Scott King Award

Title: Trombone Shorty

Author: Troy Andrews
Illustrator: Bryan Collier
Age group: 4-10 y/o
Awards: Coretta Scott King Award, Caldecott Award 
Genre: Biographical/ Informational

Summary 

This book is a biography about Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews and how he got his nickname. He lived in New Orleans in a neighborhood called Treme. He has a brother who played the trumpet and had his own band. He said that the most exciting thing that happened was Mardi Gras, where a parade would fill the streets and brass bands would play. One day he found a beat up trumpet and although it did not sound perfect he played it. He played it during one of the parades and when his brother saw him, he yelled out “Trombone Shorty,” and that is how he got his name. He practiced and even got play with Bo Diddley, after that he made his own band called 5 O’clock Band because that was the time they met up to play each day. Then as he got older he played with his brothers band and then finally made his own band called Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue. He goes back to New Orleans and helps out the younger musicians like how his brother helped him, and he even plays at the jazz festival where he played with Bo Diddley. 

Evaluation

I loved the illustrations in the book, they were so great that the book got a Caldecott honor. I would use the book in the class, because I know that I will have students that would like to play an instrument or would like to be in band when they grow up. The book can be tied to music class, since the book mentions the brass bands and his trombone. The way I would use the book in the classroom, is by doing a read aloud, and then having a discussion with my students to see how many of them would like to play an instrument. I would use the book to inspire those students who want to play an instrument or join band later on in their lives. The book can also be tied to social studies since Mardi Gras is a celebration and something cultural that happens yearly. I enjoyed learning about a musician that I haven’t heard of before, it was interesting to me. I really liked the book and would use it in class or have it in the classroom library if possible.