Publishers Weekly
Miller's (Night Golf) spryly narrated, uplifting story set in New Orleans in the 1930s springs from an intriguing tradition informal musical fund-raising parties that originated in the South in the early 20th century to help neighbors in financial need. When his mother loses her job in a fish-canning factory, Sonny (who works daily for a coal vendor before school) is determined to do something to help raise the rent money so that they won't be evicted. "You stay in school and learn everything you can everything, so things will be better for you," cautions Mama when he suggests he get a second job and quit school. Day after day, the worried boy listens to the music of Smilin' Jack, who plays his trumpet on the street to an appreciative crowd. When Sonny confides his problem to the musician, he tells Sonny about the rent-party custom and offers to play for the benefit of the boy and his mother. As supportive neighbors toss coins in a bucket and happily move to the strains of Smilin' Jack's horn, Riley-Webb's gaily hued acrylic paintings seem to keep time with the music. Composed of swirling, broad strokes, the art evokes the mood of the jazz riffs as it depicts the streets of the French Quarter. Newcomer Riley-Webb is an illustrator to watch. Ages 6-up. (Oct.) Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.
Children's Literature
During the Depression in New Orleans, Sonny's mother loses her job and may not be able to play the rent. But Sonny persuades Smilin' Jack, an itinerant trumpet player, to be the music for a rent party. Neighbors come, bringing food to share, coins for the rent bucket and plenty of goodwill for dancing, talking and enjoying the music. An author's note explains how rent parties originated in the South in the 1920s and 1930s to raise money for those in need. The book's information and ending message about staying in school and "good folks helping each other" tend to overwhelm the story but readers will be rooting for Sonny and his Mama. Riley-Webb's impressionistic paintings are full of angles, movement, bright colors and liveliness; they lift the text with their energy. 2001, Lee & Low, $16.95. Ages 7 to 10. Reviewer: Susan Hepler
School Library Journal
Gr 1-5-In 1930s New Orleans, Sonny works every day before school and on weekends to help support himself and his mother. One morning, Mama tells him that she has been laid off from her job at the canning factory. The African-American child knows they will be evicted from their home if they can't pay their rent and offers to quit school and get a second job. His mother rejects the idea. Then, in Jackson Square, he hears the great Smilin' Jack playing his trumpet. On the third day, the musician notices the boy's demeanor and asks what's wrong. Upon hearing about Sonny's situation, Smilin' Jack comes up with a solution: they will throw a rent party to raise the money and he will play his horn. The affair is an overwhelming success, and the trumpeter decides to "play at least one rent party" wherever he goes. Sonny realizes that problems can be solved when people work together. The bold acrylic illustrations on two-page spreads are dramatic, lively, upbeat, and colorful, and have a flowing style that is almost musical. An afterword tells about the origin of rent parties and their link to the development of jazz. A universal, rewarding story of people reaching out to others in need.-Sheilah Kosco, Rapides Parish Library, Alexandria, LA Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.
Kirkus Reviews
Dignified and joyful illustrations underscore a story of a group of people who find themselves in dire economic straits yet rise above these limitations through their collective creative efforts. In New Orleans of the 1930s, young Sonny Comeaux works for the coal man each morning before school. His work brings him by Jackson Square, where jazz musicians congregate and play for change, sometimes buckets full. When Sonny's mother loses her job, she insists he not quit school even though they may not be able to pay the rent. Worried, Sonny gravitates to Jackson Square every day after school, especially to Smilin' Jack, the trumpet player who has played across the country and whose talent is impossible to ignore. On the third day he stays after the crowd has gone and Jack, picking up on Sonny's blues, asks his name. Sonny reveals his troubles and in quick order Jack tells Sonny to organize a rent party, recalling the tradition from his days in Mississippi. The party is a success in ways beyond the money raised. Sonny feels transported by the music and Jack is humbled and invigorated by the good will displayed by the partygoers. Sonny realizes if he had quit school he likely would never have met Smilin' Jack nor found his new ambition: to play trumpet. In her debut, Riley-Webb captures the strength and energy of New Orleans in thick, bold swirls of acrylic paint that practically burst from the pages. In an afterword, the author provides a useful explanation of the rent party phenomenon in African-American neighborhoods in the first part of the 20th century. Simply terrific. (Picture book. 6-9)
