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How Sweet the Sound
Featuring artists ranging from Miles Davis to Kendrick Lamar, dive into this stunningly illustrated celebration of the history of Black music in America by the award-winning author of The Undefeated.
Listen to the sound of survival, courage, and democracy—the soundtrack of America. Hear Billie Holiday's raspy, mournful voice, and tap your foot to Louis Armstrong's trumpet. Scream with James Brown and bop your head to Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five. Can you spot the 80+ references to artists like Robert Johnson, Ella Fitzgerald, Jimi Hendrix, Whitney Houston, Lauryn Hill, and Beyonce?
Come dance to Kwame Alexander’s melodious narrative of the history of Black music in America, accompanied by the vibrant illustrations of Charly Palmer.
The book includes extensive back matter, providing even more context and history about the music and musicians.
Listen to the sound of survival, courage, and democracy—the soundtrack of America. Hear Billie Holiday's raspy, mournful voice, and tap your foot to Louis Armstrong's trumpet. Scream with James Brown and bop your head to Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five. Can you spot the 80+ references to artists like Robert Johnson, Ella Fitzgerald, Jimi Hendrix, Whitney Houston, Lauryn Hill, and Beyonce?
Come dance to Kwame Alexander’s melodious narrative of the history of Black music in America, accompanied by the vibrant illustrations of Charly Palmer.
The book includes extensive back matter, providing even more context and history about the music and musicians.
48 pages, Hardcover
Published January 14, 2025
3 people are currently reading
137 people want to read
About the author
Kwame Alexander
82 books3,146 followersKwame Alexander is a poet, educator, and New York Times Bestselling author of 21 books, including The Crossover, which received the 2015 John Newbery Medal for the Most Distinguished Contribution to American literature for Children, the Coretta Scott King Author Award Honor, The NCTE Charlotte Huck Honor, the Lee Bennett Hopkins Poetry Award, and the Passaic Poetry Prize. Kwame writes for children of all ages. His other works include Surf's Up, a picture book; Booked, a middle grade novel; and He Said She Said, a YA novel.
Kwame believes that poetry can change the world, and he uses it to inspire and empower young people through his PAGE TO STAGE Writing and Publishing Program released by Scholastic. A regular speaker at colleges and conferences in the U.S., he also travels the world planting seeds of literary love (Singapore, Brazil, Italy, France, Shanghai, etc.). Recently, Alexander led a delegation of 20 writers and activists to Ghana, where they delivered books, built a library, and provided literacy professional development to 300 teachers, as a part of LEAP for Ghana, an International literacy program he co-founded.
Kwame believes that poetry can change the world, and he uses it to inspire and empower young people through his PAGE TO STAGE Writing and Publishing Program released by Scholastic. A regular speaker at colleges and conferences in the U.S., he also travels the world planting seeds of literary love (Singapore, Brazil, Italy, France, Shanghai, etc.). Recently, Alexander led a delegation of 20 writers and activists to Ghana, where they delivered books, built a library, and provided literacy professional development to 300 teachers, as a part of LEAP for Ghana, an International literacy program he co-founded.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews
February 13, 2025
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh must buy for my classroom ASAP
February 22, 2025
I was in the mood to listen to a quick, educational audiobook while at work yesterday. As someone who used to be involved in my school’s band and choir, music has always been an interest to me. While I learned quite a bit listening to this audiobook, I can’t help but feel disappointed that there was…no music. I went into it thinking that there’d be samples of the songs they were talking about. Instead, it felt like I was listening to an encyclopedia. The audiobook was just under an hour, so I knew it wasn’t going to be incredibly detailed, but I still wish there was music to listen to.
January 18, 2025
Deep roots and beautiful imagery! Loved hearing Kwame talk about (and read from) his book. Such a treat!
December 20, 2025
3.5 - very interesting and educational, but agree with the person who said it would have been nice if there were actual examples of the songs being discussed. I know that's probably a copyright nightmare, but we can still dream.
March 18, 2025
Loved the lyrics (poetry) and bagillion references. But mostly I loved looking up the songs, listening to them and feeling so moved by all the beauty. I wish there was a playlist somewhere. This book seems prefect for a series of elementary school music lessons. It's a must buy.
Turns out there is:
https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/lit....
Turns out there is:
https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/lit....
October 8, 2025
An informative lyrical picture book that tells the story of the history of Black music in America. Beginning with the musical traditions of Africa, this beautiful book describes how the music was transformed from chants to today's modern music including spirituals, jazz, boogie-wooogie, scat, rock, soul and more. Don't miss the additional information at the back! This will be an invaluable resource to add to units about Black culture.
"Listen to the Amazing Grace
of the Jubilee Singers
to the joyful noise
of Sunday morning gospel
and Let the Church Say
Amen. Amen. HALLELUJAH"
"Listen to the Amazing Grace
of the Jubilee Singers
to the joyful noise
of Sunday morning gospel
and Let the Church Say
Amen. Amen. HALLELUJAH"
June 23, 2025
very unique! poem with a lengthy historical explanation after (as far as i understood it) very very interesting
April 18, 2025
There is so much content, history, and skill worked into this book - more than 80 musical artist references and accompanying gorgeous, gorgeous artwork representing the history of American music. I read the book at least 5 times and then read all of the notes. Then I listened to the audiobook which brings even more of the layers to life by incorporating some of the music and sounds featured in the text. It’s a masterpiece.
March 26, 2025
First sentence: Listen to the fireside chorus
of the motherland
to the talking drums
dancing beneath the golden sun
that beat a bold tapestry
of yesterday's stories
and tomorrow's dreams.
To the magnetic chants that welcome each day
and the praise songs that sing us farewell.
Premise/plot: Picture book for older readers. How much older? A lot older. The premise is simple enough: an overview or history of Black Music in America. The delivery is anything but simple. How Sweet The Sound requires a LOT of unpacking--which requires effort and diligence. NONFICTION POETRY. History is conveyed through poems. Poetry in and of itself requires a good bit of unpacking to appreciate. The lines are coded; in other words, each poem features many coded lines--insider code that requires unpacking. Meaning can only be clarified/understood if you're in the know. Each poem has a decoder, if you will, annotations that go into greater depth explaining most every word. If you don't read the back matter, then you've missed the point.
My thoughts: I read it the first time and skipped the back matter. I was not impressed. Not really. Sure I knew that my appreciation was expected, was required, was almost mandatory. (Some books are like that.) I decided that before I gave it a review, I'd reread it. I decided to start with the back matter. Would I recommend this method? Maybe. Probably. It wouldn't hurt. I would either a) suggest starting with the back matter b) suggest reading a spread/poem at a time and then flipping to the back matter.
I don't know that I love this one. I think in part because I keep wanting the book to be something else. Which is not at all fair. I'll try to clarify. I love, love, love, love, love reading picture books about jazz, for example. Fiction. Nonfiction. I have read many picture book biographies of black jazz musicians, for example. I've read picture book biographies of other musicians--not just jazz. This book isn't about one genre, or even a handful of genres. It is all encompassing. ALL genres, many centuries, many decades. There's some name-dropping here and there--mainly coded. But this is like a fly-over or skimming. It isn't a deep-dive. Poetry is a natural choice for the narrative. It is. It truly is. It makes sense in so many ways. Yet poetry is another barrier for me personally.
of the motherland
to the talking drums
dancing beneath the golden sun
that beat a bold tapestry
of yesterday's stories
and tomorrow's dreams.
To the magnetic chants that welcome each day
and the praise songs that sing us farewell.
Premise/plot: Picture book for older readers. How much older? A lot older. The premise is simple enough: an overview or history of Black Music in America. The delivery is anything but simple. How Sweet The Sound requires a LOT of unpacking--which requires effort and diligence. NONFICTION POETRY. History is conveyed through poems. Poetry in and of itself requires a good bit of unpacking to appreciate. The lines are coded; in other words, each poem features many coded lines--insider code that requires unpacking. Meaning can only be clarified/understood if you're in the know. Each poem has a decoder, if you will, annotations that go into greater depth explaining most every word. If you don't read the back matter, then you've missed the point.
My thoughts: I read it the first time and skipped the back matter. I was not impressed. Not really. Sure I knew that my appreciation was expected, was required, was almost mandatory. (Some books are like that.) I decided that before I gave it a review, I'd reread it. I decided to start with the back matter. Would I recommend this method? Maybe. Probably. It wouldn't hurt. I would either a) suggest starting with the back matter b) suggest reading a spread/poem at a time and then flipping to the back matter.
I don't know that I love this one. I think in part because I keep wanting the book to be something else. Which is not at all fair. I'll try to clarify. I love, love, love, love, love reading picture books about jazz, for example. Fiction. Nonfiction. I have read many picture book biographies of black jazz musicians, for example. I've read picture book biographies of other musicians--not just jazz. This book isn't about one genre, or even a handful of genres. It is all encompassing. ALL genres, many centuries, many decades. There's some name-dropping here and there--mainly coded. But this is like a fly-over or skimming. It isn't a deep-dive. Poetry is a natural choice for the narrative. It is. It truly is. It makes sense in so many ways. Yet poetry is another barrier for me personally.
September 1, 2025
The revered and illustrious Kvame Alexander invites readers to listen as he shares his take on the soundtrack for America in multiple double-page spreads in glorious color (art by Charly Palmer). Listen to the fireside chorus
Listen to the deep blue-black moans and simple melodies
Listen to the jazz, the hymns, the message
Yeah, just listen
to the eloquent words of Kvame Alexander as he whisks readers away to bygone important times from a history we must not forget and never repeat. Alexander's joyful songs are filled with pain, but also healing, strength, and "everlasting hope". Through poetry Alexander delivers generations of contributions by Africans and African Americans to the soulful beautiful tempos of the world of music.
Palmer's illustrations paint the pain and the joy in deep hued stained glass church windows and the faces of Whitney, Michael Jackson, James Brown, and less familiar talents from Jamaica and Congolese Blacks in Cuba. The art jumps off the pages with vibrancy.
A combination of artist and author presenting a combination of music and dance from around the world by amazing Black musicians.
Listen to the deep blue-black moans and simple melodies
Listen to the jazz, the hymns, the message
Yeah, just listen
to the eloquent words of Kvame Alexander as he whisks readers away to bygone important times from a history we must not forget and never repeat. Alexander's joyful songs are filled with pain, but also healing, strength, and "everlasting hope". Through poetry Alexander delivers generations of contributions by Africans and African Americans to the soulful beautiful tempos of the world of music.
Palmer's illustrations paint the pain and the joy in deep hued stained glass church windows and the faces of Whitney, Michael Jackson, James Brown, and less familiar talents from Jamaica and Congolese Blacks in Cuba. The art jumps off the pages with vibrancy.
A combination of artist and author presenting a combination of music and dance from around the world by amazing Black musicians.
April 26, 2025
This is the history of American music from spiritual, to rhythm and blues to jazz. Basically everything that makes rock n roll what it is has roots to African music. Unless it's Polka music. That all European.
Kwame has a little poem for each special bit of music in our past and he keeps building. He tucks in lyrics here and therre from the famous songs and by the time he gets to the modern era, we see Prince, Whitney and Michael show up. They are the giants that top the heap, standing on shoulders of their ancestors.
The artwork is amazing. It looks like acrylic or some other pain medium. The energy in the artwork really brings the poems to life. You can hear the music in the paint strokes. Very beautiful colors and details.
Anyone interested in a little music history in a fun poem format will love this.
Kwame has a little poem for each special bit of music in our past and he keeps building. He tucks in lyrics here and therre from the famous songs and by the time he gets to the modern era, we see Prince, Whitney and Michael show up. They are the giants that top the heap, standing on shoulders of their ancestors.
The artwork is amazing. It looks like acrylic or some other pain medium. The energy in the artwork really brings the poems to life. You can hear the music in the paint strokes. Very beautiful colors and details.
Anyone interested in a little music history in a fun poem format will love this.
June 20, 2025
Five-star fabulous! For an adult audience, that is, and perhaps young music aficionados who can decipher all the allusions to musical styles, interpret the jargon, recollect the song titles, and recognize all the names being dropped throughout Alexander’s sophisticated and beautifully crafted poem. Expressive illustrations with bold, brash colors and lots of action convey the vibe of each type of music and capture the soul of many famous performers. The extensive Musical Notes in back pages provide an excellent introduction to the musical styles, famous songs, and notable performers mentioned in the poem.
March 22, 2025
Kwame's words and Charly Palmer's colorful collages are a winning pair. Recognizing the words and titles of famous songs throughout and the back matter that gives more background to the words and illustrations is lovely. I am, however, a Detroiter, and feel that Motown musicians deserved a bigger nod. (Selfish, I know.)
This book reminds me of my favorite book by Carole Boston Weatherford. It traces the gifts of black musicians from the slave trade to modern times. Jazz is my favorite in both of these books.
This book reminds me of my favorite book by Carole Boston Weatherford. It traces the gifts of black musicians from the slave trade to modern times. Jazz is my favorite in both of these books.
April 25, 2025
Listen to the sound of survival, courage, and democracy--the soundtrack of America. Hear Billie Holiday's raspy, mournful voice, and tap your foot to Louis Armstrong's trumpet. Scream with James Brown and bop your head to Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five. Can you spot the 80+ references to artists like Robert Johnson, Ella Fitzgerald, Jimi Hendrix, Whitney Houston, Lauryn Hill, and Beyonce? Come dance to Kwame Alexander's melodious narrative of the history of Black music in America, accompanied by the vibrant illustrations of Charly Palmer. "--
February 25, 2025
Lyrical depiction of the development of the blues and gospel, Jazz and doo wop and funk - music that is truly American. Reggae and rumba, country and folk - Kwame covers them all.
He also seamlessly incorporates titles from many popular songs.
At the end there is an in-depth explanation of the different instruments, music, and artists mentioned and depicted in the book.
This is an excellent and accessible book.
Take a peek under the dust jacket - the cover of the book is different.
He also seamlessly incorporates titles from many popular songs.
At the end there is an in-depth explanation of the different instruments, music, and artists mentioned and depicted in the book.
This is an excellent and accessible book.
Take a peek under the dust jacket - the cover of the book is different.
August 13, 2025
Is it possible to hear music by reading words in a book? If Kwame Alexander is the author, then the answer is a resounding YES!!!!!
At the end of the book are "Musical Notes." - Information about the instruments, hymns, moans, messages, rhythms, and more that you should pay attention to when listening to this type of music.
The Art (illustrations) are both beautiful and bold and were done by Charly Palmer.
An Outstanding book!
At the end of the book are "Musical Notes." - Information about the instruments, hymns, moans, messages, rhythms, and more that you should pay attention to when listening to this type of music.
The Art (illustrations) are both beautiful and bold and were done by Charly Palmer.
An Outstanding book!
February 23, 2025
What a fantastic journey through the history of music created by Black artists. From hymns and litanies to jazz to R&B to reggae to rap. From Bessie to Billie to Ella to Tina to Whitney to Beyonce. From Duke to Louis to Marvin to Smokey to Jimi to Prince to 50 Cent. And plenty before, after and in between.
March 8, 2025
Music teacher and mom—we loved it. My only issue is the first page—they mention a talking drum and there’s a picture of a djembe. These are 2 different instruments—they’re played differently, come from different places, and sound different. This is certainly nit-picky, but musicians (especially percussionists) will notice! But I loved it overall!
May 7, 2025
I recently took a group of fifth graders to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame to see an exhibit on the history of hip hop, and I wish I had read this book with them first. It's a beautiful, poetic love letter to African American musical traditions, accompanied by Palmer's expressive art. The musical notes at the end of the book provide rich context for the poem.
November 22, 2025
The backmatter is excellent and thorough, explaining all the references in the main text in depth and providing lots of context about music in US Black communities.
I'm curious about how this would feel to read a first time if you didn't have all the references, but the rhythm of it still feels good and the illustrations are great.
I'm curious about how this would feel to read a first time if you didn't have all the references, but the rhythm of it still feels good and the illustrations are great.
December 31, 2025
I found this book on the history of black music in America very informative and intriguing. Kwame Alexander just has such a way with words that keeps you hooked from start to finish. Readers of all ages can learn from this short but impactful book. This would be great in libraries of all kinds, including on home bookshelves and in classrooms. Thank you to Libro.fm for the ALC!
January 17, 2025
striking, the rhythm, the illustrative work. an absolute joy--but one that would be more enjoyable within the company of an adult? by an adult? or perhaps an older child who has a good musical education or is inspired to learn it.
January 25, 2025
I absolutely love this and am spending time getting ready to share it with the 5th graders on Feb. 3rd. I've loved just finding out all the different genres of music, many with which I was unfamiliar or at least didn't have a name for it. Not sure kids will like it, but adults sure will.
February 11, 2025
Overall this is an excellent poem dedicated to African-American musical history. The back matter is extensive. My only issue was that a few of the people depicted don't look like themselves. But I really appreciate how exhaustive the exploration of Black music is.
February 28, 2025
Beautiful vibrant illustrations of poems that trace music's path through black Americans' history. Song titles are woven into the poems, and there is an extensive Musical Notes section that explains the references made on each page. Excellent for school research projects!
March 7, 2025
The poetry, illustrations, word play, imagery, AND extensive "Musical Notes" that references and defines every word, song, musician, and style in the book are amazing!!! What a learning opportunity that covers so many topics!
March 13, 2025
Hey Kwame! Make an audio version of the book! This book allows readers to travel with the Black music from chants in the motherland to hip hop in the hood. There is an incredible afterword (Kwame calls in "Musical Notes") providing additional information on each genre.
March 16, 2025
4 stars (I really liked it)
Wow. This was amazing!
I will say that I didn't connect that much to a lot of the text because I didn't always get the references but I absolutely love the back matter that explains everything. This is certainly a love letter to music.
Wow. This was amazing!
I will say that I didn't connect that much to a lot of the text because I didn't always get the references but I absolutely love the back matter that explains everything. This is certainly a love letter to music.
March 24, 2025
Beautiful book full of rich illustrations and descriptions of music. Gives the breadth and depth of African American music. I would want to pair it with actual recordings of the music mentioned in the book to give a better understanding of what the author is saying.
April 14, 2025
An energetic, colorful, and poetic look at black music through the centuries. However, not really the book for me, since I am white, and was unfamiliar with most of the songs listed, especially more recent ones.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews