Say It With Music: A Story About Irving Berlin (Creative Minds Biographies) [Library Binding]

Thomas Streissguth (Author), Jennifer Hagerman (Illustrator)

Book Description

Series: Creative Minds Biographies | Publication Date: February 1994

Describes the life of the famous composer of popular musicals and songs, including "God Bless America."

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 4-6-This vividly written book is at once the story of the famous composer and of an early 20th-century immigrant's experience. Streissguth clearly paints a picture of New York's Lower East Side and of the milieu in which Israel Baline developed into the songwriter, Irving Berlin. It's an intriguing story, and one that Streissguth makes readable and enjoyable. By describing the components of Berlin's successful songs, readers gain an understanding of the popular music business of the time. Hagerman's black-and-white sketches enhance the text with excellent likenesses of the subject, as well as with contemporary scenes. Though youngsters may not be familiar with Berlin, this book would be a good read to satisfy a biography assignment and is a fine choice to replace David Ewen's The Story of Irving Berlin (Holt, 1950; o.p.), which contains some racial slurs.
Renee Steinberg, Fieldstone Middle School, Montvale, NJ
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Gr. 3-5. Though Irving Berlin's name and most of his music may be unfamiliar to children, his story has relevance given the emerging emphasis in schools on the experiences and contributions of immigrants to America. Left homeless by the pogroms in the 1890s, Berlin's family emigrated from Russia, landed at Ellis Island, and settled in Manhattan. His talent for music led him from the bars of the Bowery, where he sang to support himself when he was 14, to a songwriting career that brought him fame, fortune, and even happiness. The book covers more than 30 years, the rags-to-riches period, though an afterword fills in readers on the rest of Berlin's life. Softly shaded, fine-line pencil drawings, some with a photographic quality, appear at several-page intervals throughout the book. While shorter than most biographies for children, this could still use an index. A good, concise biography accessible to many children. Carolyn Phelan

Product Details

• Library Binding: 64 pages
• Publisher: Carolrhoda Books (February 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0876148100
• ISBN-13: 978-0876148105
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6.3 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,393,076 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.