Clayton Byrd Goes Underground

A National Book Award Finalist from a Newbery Honoree and three-time Coretta Scott King Award winner. After aspiring bluesman Clayton Byrd loses his beloved grandfather, he must figure out what to do with all his anger and sadness--and finally learns to play a blues song all his own. Illustrations. 5/8. n nFrom beloved Newbery Honor winner and three-time Coretta Scott King Award winner Rita Williams-Garcia comes a powerful and heartfelt novel about loss, family, and love that will appeal to fans of Jason Reynolds and Kwame Alexander. n nClayton feels most alive when he's with his grandfather, Cool Papa Byrd, and the band of Bluesmen--he can't wait to join them, just as soon as he has a blues song of his own. But then the unthinkable happens. Cool Papa Byrd dies, and Clayton's mother forbids Clayton from playing the blues. And Clayton knows that's no way to live.n nArmed with his grandfather's brown porkpie hat and his harmonica, he runs away from home in search of the Bluesmen, hoping he can join them on the road. But on the journey that takes him through the New York City subways and to Washington Square Park, Clayton learns some things that surprise him. n nNational Book Award Finalist * Kirkus Best Books of 2017 * Horn Book Best Books of 2017 * Publishers Weekly Best Books of 2017 * School Library Journal Best Books of 2017 * NAACP Image Awards Youth/Teens Winner * Chicago Public Library Best Books * Boston Globe Best Books of 2017n nThis slim novel strikes a strong chord.--Publishers Weekly (starred review)n nThis complex tale of family and forgiveness has heart. --School Library Journal (starred review)n nStrong characterizations and vivid musical scenes add layers to this warm family story. --Kirkus Reviews (starred review)n nAn appealing, realistic story with frequent elegant turns of phrase. --The Horn Book (starred review)n nGarcia-Williams skillfully finds melody in words. --Booklist (starred review)n