Black Cat Bone: The Life of Blues Legend Robert Johnson - Hardcover

J. Patrick Lewis spent years as an economics professor before finding his passion as a writer. He has since established himself as one of America's preeminent children's poets and authors, with the rich language and lyrical style of his books earning wide acclaim. He has written 45 picture books and has made countless school visits.

Starred Review. Grade 6 Up–Robert Johnson, the celebrated blues musician, is said to have sold his soul to the devil for his skills on the guitar. In fact, there is so much legend and conjecture surrounding this man (who literally died from drink and women) that he makes the perfect subject for a poetic biographical treatment. Lewis's verse echoes Johnson's music, as in this promise from the devil at the crossroad: I'm a cutthroat seller,/The Magician of Deal/Who can stoke sweet fire/That'll make you feel/Like a hothouse flower/On double defrost/Who won't give a nickel/For the petals it lost. A single line of text parades ghostlike across the bottom of each page, explaining the aspect of the man's life that the poem sings of, and becoming a cumulative mini-bio in itself. A couple of Johnson's own lyrics appear with the sequence of Lewis's poems where they add to the narrative tension. Kelley's mixed-media illustrations in blues and browns add to the mood and enliven the layout. With further biographical and bibliographic notes at the end, the resulting package is surprisingly deep: what appears at first glance to be just an illustrated poetry collection is a well-supported narrative riff introducing Johnson–the man and his music. Though a picture book, this title requires at least a middle-school-age audience, and will be best appreciated by older young adults, finding resonance with musicians, poets, or other artists who are feeling the blues.–Nina Lindsay, Oakland Public Library, CA
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