Ruben Blades: Salsa Singer and Social Activist (Hispanic Biographies) [Library Binding]

Barbara Cruz (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 11 and up | Series: Hispanic Biographies

Traces the life of the international salsa singing star from his early life in Panama through his career as a musician and actor and his unsuccessful run for the presidency of his home country.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Gr 4-7--A thoughtful biography of the three-time Grammy-winning singer, actor, and activist. Conflicts over the Panama Canal led Panamanian-born Blades to view his musical interest as an outlet for sociopolitical expression. As a young adult, he moved to New York City, quickly rising to prominence in the salsa music scene as the first singer to use this blend of African, Spanish, jazz, rock, and blues music as sociopolitical commentary. Blades's story is generally well written, but the book becomes bogged down in the middle chapters, describing song lyrics and movie plots in excessive detail. Further, the man's personal life is largely ignored, with only passing references to his wife. However, his appearance in the 1997 movie The Devil's Own and his starring role in a new Broadway musical might make this biography a popular choice for report writers. Similar to Betty Marton's Ruben Blades (Chelsea, 1992), Cruz's title is more up to date. Illustrated with black-and-white photographs and maps.

Denise E. Agosto, formerly at Midland County Public Library, TX

Copyright 1998 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 11 and up
  
• Library Binding: 128 pages
• Publisher: Enslow Publishers (September 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0894908936
• ISBN-13: 978-0894908934
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.3 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.1 ounces
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,765,144 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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