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This short story about Louis Armstrong describes what he had to go through in order to be able to play the cornet. Louis grew up in a poor neighborhood that describes some of the violence and poverty that he had to face. He enjoyed to hear jazz music outside of his house and enjoyed joining the second line. He got into trouble and was sent to a home for troubled boys where he had the desire to join the band. After more than 6 months of waiting, He was finally asked to join the band and was able to begin his famous journey throughout New Orleans. I love how this book allows me to see how long some of the traditions that are still done in New Orleans have been around. ( )

Most biographies jump right into how the person is famous or why they are known, but this book focuses more on the before the story. Telling the life of young Louis and how he was born into poverty and overcame many obstacles of life. As a child, he got into a lot of trouble and was sent off after going to jail for being troublesome in streets with old friends. Someone offered him to join their band and try out instruments. He did not begin on horns because the instructor wanted him to work for it and know that it was not as easy as musicians made it look. He would have to practice and put in lots of work if he wanted to create the horn jazz he loved. It is important that this book discusses the fact you can always turn your life around for the better and you choose your own path based on your decisions. It is important to know success takes hard work. ( )

I liked this book for the fact that it teaches a valuable lesson. Louis Armstrong was a young boy that yearned to play the cornet horn. It was all that he thought of when he was growing up. The reason why he wanted to play so bad was to bring home money for his family and to bring joy to people when they hear his music. He wanted to do it for other people and not himself. He knew he had a musical talent and he wanted to share it with everyone.

Louis Armstrong was born into poverty. Being around music brought young Louis joy. After going away to a boys group, Louis finally learns to play the horn. He dedicates himself to the music and becomes the Louis Armstrong that we hear about today. This book would be good to share in a music class, a history class, as well as at a biography day. ( )