About the Author

Lesa Cline-Ransome has written many books for children, including Before She Was Harriet, which received five starred reviews, a Coretta Scott King Honor, and a Christopher Award; her debut middle grade novel Finding Langston, which received a Coretta Scott King Honor and five starred reviews; its companion, Leaving Lymon, which received three starred reviews; and Being Clem, which received five starred reviews and was a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection. She lives in upstate New York.

James E. Ransome's has illustrated many award-winning books for children. His numerous accolades include a Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award for The Creation; a Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor for The Bell Rang, Before She was Harriet, and Uncle Jed's Barbershop; and an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literary Work for Let My People Go. He lives in upstate New York.

Reviews

★ "The well-established author-illustrator team achieves a strong, unified vision."—School Library Journal, Starred Review

★ "A now-essential piece of reading for music lovers. . . Ransome's detailed, relaxed line captures historical periods with precision and vibrancy, and his illustrations of the jazz musicians who made the instrument famous are especially striking. It's a biography whose warm, mellow tone matches that of the instrument itself."—Shelf Awareness, Starred Review

★  "Cline-Ransome invites readers' empathy through clearly established stakes as Sax triumphs over critics, while Ransome's initially muted cityscapes give way to vibrant celebrations of band music, and end-paper portraits celebrate a diverse array of saxophonists."—Publishers Weekly, Starred Review

"Richly detailed, wonderfully expressive illustrations complement the text perfectly. . . . A satisfying story of a persistent, creative genius. Readers will almost be able to hear soft saxophone music playing in the background."—Booklist

"Engagingly links the jazz saxophone with its European roots."—Kirkus Reviews

"Ransome's illustrations shine with careful detail. . . ."—The Horn Book