Jazz by Walter Dean Myers

Great jazz poetry along with a history of jazz. The beat of the poems mimic jazz music and different instruments are highlighted by having their own poems. The introduction gives a history of jazz and a timeline of jazz does the same but in a more kid friendly format. There is also a glossary of jazz terms. The vivid illustrations are perfectly matched to the poetry.

I just finished Bud, Not Buddy with my fourth grade reading group and I can't wait to share these poems with them. One of the reading skills we are to focus on this month is inference and poetry is a great way to teach that skill in an interesting way.

I can see using this with grades 3-8.