Rent Party Jazz is a short book about a young boy Sonny Comeaux and his mother living in New Orleans in poverty and how an empathetic stranger helps them pay rent and stay in their lodgings.
Review: This book represents the conditions of African-Americans in the 1920s and onwards realistically. The elements of optimism, empathy and love within the community made this a heart-warming read. This book, within a few pages, shows how art can bring people together and help us be more hopeful in times of hardship and impending disaster. The illustrations by Charlotte Riley Web are a perfect fit to the story line.
Rating: 4/5 stars
Themes:
- African-American representation
- Poverty
- Responsibility
- Hope
- Community
- Empathy
- Art (Music)
Grab yourself a copy here:
Or you can listen to it on YouTube:
~ Saadia
Reflections 