Ray Charles

by Sharon Bell Mathis, George Ford (Illustrator)

A fascinating biography of the acclaimed musician invites young readers to follow Ray Charles from his childhood, when he became blind and learned how to read and write music in Braille, to his extraordinary success as a jazz and blues musician. A Coretta Scott King Award winner. Simultaneous.

Genres: Biography, Picture Books, Music, Nonfiction, Childrens, History, Art

40 pages, Hardcover

First published May 10, 1973

About the author

Sharon Bell Mathis (born 1937) is an American librarian and author who has written books mainly for children and young adults.

Mathis was born in Atlantic City, New Jersey. She started writing at an early age, and her love of reading was fostered by her parents. Her mother, a poet, encouraged her to write. In 1958, she earned a degree in Sociology from Morgan State College and, in 1975, went on to earn a master's in Library Science from the Catholic University of America.

Mathis has written many books for children and young adults, and has received many accolades in her career. Her book Ray Charles, a nonfiction biography of Ray Charles, received the Coretta Scott King Award. The Hundred Penny Box received a Newbery Honor Award and is a recipient of the Boston Globe–Horn Book Award and also an American Library Association Notable Children's Book. English Journal placed Mathis alongside writers such as Toni Cade Bambara and Nikki Giovanni, characterizing them as "describing a black consciousness of self- celebration rather like that which flowered during the Harlem Renaissance and was somehow lost, at least in literature, in the intervening years of social upheaval." Teacup Full of Roses was a New York Times Outstanding Book of the Year. It was described, also in English Journal, as "a celebration of black family life, not of the stereotypical enduring parents, but of the children who find their strength in giving to each other."

Reviews

[Tippy · Rating 5 out of 5]

"My eyes are my handicap, but my ears are my opportunity." This book isn't just about the career of Ray Charles. It's about how, being blind at a young age and being without family from the age of 15, Ray Charles was a self-sufficient man. He could do anything. Play any instrument. He learned music in braille. He even drove on his property! He had braille cards, checkers with black pieces larger than white pieces. When he was a kid, his mom made him do chores- even chopping wood with an axe. His neighbors were furious to see a blind kid using an axe. He could take apart a tv and put it back together again. And of course, he's rich and famous. Interesting read, fascinating person. It made me add a grown up Ray Charles biography to my to read list.

I read this book as part of the Coretta Scott King Book Awards 50th anniversary challenge promoted through the LA Public Libraries.

[Ron Turner · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dated. The wordy text and black and white illustrations don't age well.

[Daniel Kleven · Rating 5 out of 5]

Winner of the Coretta Scott King award. Great illustrated kids book about The Genius of Soiul

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

This short book with great drawings highlights Ray Charles' hard trip to becoming a star.

[Rosa Huerta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ray Charles refused to be restricted by his blindness and felt he could do anything he wanted. Mathis begins this biography of Ray Charles with an anecdote of Charles's elementary days when children would tease and trick him because of his differences. Although Charles was put down because of his blindness, he never stopped believing he could do anything he wanted. With the help of his neighbor Mr. Pittman, Charles learned to play the piano through reading braille notes. His passion for jazz, blues, and gospel music led Charles to writing melodies for local bands. When Charles was fifteen, his mother died. His brother and father had already passed away, so Charles was left without family. Charles decided to save up the money he made from working with bands, and go as far away as he could from Florida -- Seattle. This is where Charles began performing in nightclubs until he became widely recognized and noticed by music producers. Charles soon became the famous Ray Charles with the throaty soulful voice we all recognize and love.
Mathis and Ford beautifully intertwine text and illustrations in this biography by detailing every picture with raw emotions. We can see Charles’s facial expressions and thoughts through the visuals. Mathis more than tells us the biography of Ray Charles, but tells us his story. She brings his life goals and tragedies into the text and shows us how his motivated personality kept him on the road to success. This book can be used in a classroom as a way of helping students learn about blindness as a “handicap.” It could also motivate students to follow their passion no matter how challenging it may be to accomplish.

[Megan Nelson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ray Charles is a famous musician known for his Jazz/Blues, soulful songs. He was born on September 23, 1930 in Albany, Georgia, but he moved to Greenville, Florida when he was very little. Ray Charles was not born blind, but he became blind because his left eye was "diseased" and his right eye lost vision. Being blind did not stop Ray from working hard to live for himself, and he went on to achieve a multitude of greatness in the music industry. Ray first learned to play the piano when he was about four-years-old, and he taught himself how to read/write music by using Braille. Ray Charles is a music legend; he truly loved his music and that was evident to the thousands of people who went to his concerts or bought his records.
I REALLY liked this book! I didn't know much about Ray Charles (besides the fact that he is a music legend) before reading this, but after reading this, I have come to realize how inspiring he was. His story is a powerful one, and I truly enjoyed reading it.
I could use this book in the classroom during Black History Month, or even during a music lesson (because he was such a famous musician/singer). It would also be a good book to read about having courage and persevering through hard times; it would also be good to read to talk about rising above the odds and living a happy life.

[L11_Nick Mamula · Rating 2 out of 5]

A brief glimpse in the life of the former Ray Charles. A man that has clearly accomplished a great deal in his life, was done an injustice with this version of his biography. Sharon Bell Mathis is able to highlight the notable accomplishments of Ray Charles, but does she give the whole story? It is true that achievements should be highlighted in a biographical book, however should the tragedies and the challenges be downplayed? Even though the story emphasizes that Ray Charles is blind, it does not do justice to all of the trials and tribulations in which Ray Charles faced.
Besides the weakness of the story, the images are very powerful and are noteworthy to say the least. Mathis does an excellent job of depicting the facial expressions for which Ray Charles is so famous. Unfortunately, the illustrations are the only positives for the book.
In order to receive a true glimpse of Ray Charles, an author must present the man behind the fame and the fortune. Mathis must change the intended audience and incorporate more events that will help the audience grasp how amazing Ray Charles was.

[529_Quincy Owens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ray Charles is a picture book by Sharon Bell Mathis and illustrated by George Ford. Ray Charles is an iconic musician who has provided entertainment to audiences worldwide. His accomplishments make it hard to imagine he was really blind. Charles was not born blind; he lost his sight as a child. Charles’ mother is often credited with instilling an insurmountable about of self-sufficiency in him despite his disability.

As a teacher I believe this book would be a great way reinforce the power of; self sufficiency, courage, and intelligence. This book can be read and enjoyed by students of all ages. Also, with the increased attention that bullying is getting in our media the first part of the story in which Ray Charles is tricked into running into the pole would be a timely and quick way to broach the subject with students.

[Alex Wingrove · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is all about the life of Ray Charles. He was a musical genius. He was born completely normal, but then became blind. He faced many obstacles with his loss of sight, but never stopped trying to become the musical genius that he was. He played all kinds of music by writing and reading in braille. After his mom died when he was 15, he moved to Seattle, where he began his real career as a musician.
I liked this book because it told about his whole life, and I didn't know any of the things about him, other than that he was a blind musician.
I think this book would be cool to read to students to show them that even though obstacles will come their way, it shouldn't stop them from making something great of themselves. Ray Charles had every reason to give up on life, but he pressed on and made himself something, and that's encouraging to young kids.

[Whitney Mertin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had great illustrations and was a very uplifting biography on Ray Charles. Wow what an amazing man who was an inspiration to many people and still is today. After reading this I felt inspired and it helped me realize how easy I have it and I am truely blessed.

[Brindi Michele · Rating 3 out of 5]

1974 CSKing Author Winner
1974 CSKing Illustrator Winner (first CSKing Illustrator award)

[GPPL Youth]

https://swanlibs.ent.sirsi.net/client...

[Ama · Rating 3 out of 5]

Writing style dates the text.