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Table of Contents
About The Book
There was something special about Scott Joplin…
This quiet kid could make a piano laugh out loud.
Scott, the son of a man who had been enslaved,
became a king—the King of Ragtime.
This celebration of Scott Joplin, whose ragtime compositions paved the way for jazz, will captivate audiences and put a beat in their step, and the kaleidoscope-like illustrations will draw young readers in again and again.
About The Illustrator
Stephen Costanza has illustrated and written several books for children, including three about music, Mozart Finds a Melody, Vivaldi and the Invisible Orchestra, and King of Ragtime. He studied music and composition, and for a time played piano professionally, performing both ragtime and classical music. He lives on a small island in Maine. Visit him at StephenCostanza.com.
Product Details
- Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers (September 14, 2021)
- Length: 56 pages
- ISBN13: 9781534410367
- Grades: P - 3
- Ages: 4 - 8
- Lexile ® AD930L The Lexile reading levels have been certified by the Lexile developer, MetaMetrics®
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Raves and Reviews
* "Costanza delivers a biography as bouncy and colorful as ragtime itself. . . full of animation and joy, motifs that repeat throughout each gorgeous spread. . . Outstanding."
– Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review
* "The melodic, flowing text goes beyond Joplin's personal details to paint a picture of what life looked like for African Americans during the Jim Crow era . . . Examples are effortlessly woven into the narrative. . . [Events] come alive through gloriously vibrant, full-page gouache collages that pop off of pages, filled with creative and expressive details . . . this attractive offering makes a great read-aloud.
– Booklist, Starred Review
* "In this pitch-perfect picture book biography . . . Costanza establishes an atmospheric, folkloric tone in narration rich with onomatopoeia and figurative language . . . fine-lined human figures are delightfully fluid and surrealistic, with Costanza showcasing a deep understanding of color theory. . . A richly detailed profile fit for a king."
– Publishers Weekly, Starred Review
Awards and Honors
- ALA Notable Children's Books
- CCBC Choices (Cooperative Children's Book Council)
- Capital Choices Noteworthy Books for Children's and Teens (DC)
- NCTE Notable Children's Books in the Language Arts
- Bank Street Best Children's Book of the Year Selection Title
- Topaz Nonfiction Reading List (TX)
- NYPL Best Books for Kids (Top Ten)
Resources and Downloads
High Resolution Images
- Book Cover Image (jpg): King of Ragtime Hardcover 9781534410367
- Author Photo (jpg): Stephen Costanza Photograph by Eva G. Hopkins(0.1 MB)
Any use of an author photo must include its respective photo credit