Review by Booklist Review
Frazier, author of the Cleo Edison books, switches gears and transports middle-grade readers to 1950s Spokane, delivering a unique slice of local Black history. Melvin Robinson would give anything to have a strong voice that works exactly how he wants (like when talking to his crush, Millie Takazawa), but he can't seem to overcome his stutter. Unfortunately, the anxiety of starting high school exacerbates his speech impediment, making him a target for bullies. Enter Lenny Carini, a sax-playing Jewish kid who is confident, persuasive, and determined to be Melvin's best friend. They accomplish great things together--though, as the story progresses, Melvin, who is Black, realizes that racial discrimination exists insidiously in his community. He and his friends work to overcome prejudices that create roadblocks for people of color. The story weaves actual events and locations into the plot--the murder of Emmett Till, the Harlem Club, Rosa Parks' visit to Spokane--building effective historical context. Frazier authentically represents the experiences of the Robinsons and their community, with tight, warm relationships and realistic situations. Highly recommended!
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
In this richly layered historical novel set in 1955 Spokane, Wash., Frazier (The Other Half of My Heart) recounts the first few months of high school for freshman Melvin Robinson, one of two Black boys in his class. Always feeling inferior to his accomplished siblings, Melvin loves science, reading, and music, but is painfully embarrassed by his stutter, which has recently ramped up. The narrative follows Melvin's successes and setbacks in gaining control of the stutter, building a friendship with jazz-loving Jewish boy Lenny, fending off a bully, and shyly pursuing a relationship with Millie, who is of Japanese American descent. Frazier skillfully weaves in interpersonal moments (Melvin's brother is admonished as "not those kind of Negroes") and historical signposts (the lynching of Emmett Till) to shine a light on systemic racism in the United States. Young and adult characters are well developed, tension builds slowly and expectantly to a satisfying climax, and the author's familiarity with the landscape (per an author's note) is evident in the solid, detailed sense of place. A well-constructed and movingly told story of a thoughtful Black boy making his place in his family and in 1950s America. Ages 8--12. (Sept.)
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Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 4--7--In September 1955 in Spokane, WA, Melvin, a young Black boy, and his family are living in a predominantly white neighborhood. The presence of a small, supportive Black community within it does not stop the bigotry. Starting high school is intimidating enough, but between his stutter and the two racist bullies who will not leave him alone, life is tough. His brother Chuck gives him a list of dos and don'ts, but it is too difficult to follow the advice. Luckily, he meets Lenny, a Jewish sax player who quickly becomes a good friend. Lenny plays music, lives above the famous Harlem Club, and encourages Melvin to speak with Millie, the Japanese American girl whom Melvin has a crush on. Not only do the conversations with Millie make Melvin more confident, they increase his awareness of the treatment of Japanese people during World War II. Racial tensions build to a climactic confrontation that is based on experiences from the author's own family. VERDICT Set during the same time as the brutal murder of Emmett Till, this powerful novel weaves strong characters into the tapestry of civil rights, treatment of people with disabilities, fallout fear from the war, and ever-changing cultural shifts that defined the 1950s. An excellent middle grade purchase for any library.--Claire Covington, Broadway H.S., VA
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Review by Horn Book Review
As freshman year at predominantly white Cleveland High in 1955 Spokane, Washington, approaches, Melvin Robinson lives in his siblings' shadows: eldest brother Chuck, accomplished quarterback; older sister Marian, homecoming queen contender; and younger sister Maisy, who has designs on becoming Spokane's first Black journalist. What does Melvin have? A detested accordion, a pet turtle, and a severe stutter exacerbated by stress. In this vividly drawn work of historical fiction, Frazier launches readers into social issues of the time through her portrayal of the friendship between Melvin and Lenny, a Jewish boy who lives above a jazz club and uses his mother's maiden name (Carini rather than Friedman) to avoid discrimination; Melvin's crush on Millie, a Japanese American classmate whose parents refuse to discuss their internment during WWII; and historical events such as Emmett Till's murder. Melvin's authentic narration reveals a teen who is finding his voice and using it to speak out against racism and discrimination. When Melvin and Lenny win first place performing as the Swingin' Saxoccordions on a local TV variety show, Melvin gains confidence for such greater challenges as introducing Rosa Parks at an NAACP gathering. An author's note reveals that Frazier drew many elements of this compelling story from her family's own life. Michelle H. Martin September/October 2021 p.94(c) Copyright 2021. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
An African American teen struggles with a stutter in 1950s Spokane, Washington. "Mmmmmy nuh-nuh-name is Mmmmmelvin." Starting high school is an anxiety-provoking milestone for anyone, but for Melvin Robinson, his stutter makes it that much worse. He wants a strong, smooth "he-man voice" so that he can actually say what he is thinking, especially to his crush, Millie Takazawa. But the stress of high school, where he is one of only two Black kids in his class, is making his stutter worse, and the class bully is taking every opportunity to put him down. Melvin does make a friend: saxophone-playing Lenny, a nonstop talker who lives above the Black-owned but nevertheless segregated Harlem Club and encourages Melvin to be himself. When Lenny suggests they try out for the local TV variety show with Melvin playing his accordion and Lenny on the sax, Melvin must decide if he is mighty enough to show everyone who he really is. Through a multicultural cast of characters--Lenny is Jewish, Millie is Japanese American, and Melvin and his family are Black--author Frazier explores the depth of racism everywhere and the tightknit community bonds necessary for surviving it. Infused with specificity--it's inspired by Frazier's family's real-life experiences integrating a White neighborhood in Spokane in the 1940s and '50s--it deftly explores universal themes. A gentle historical novel about finding your voice. (author's note) (Historical fiction. 8-12) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
