Kid Sterling

by Christine Welldon

A new young adult novel from the author of Reporter in Disguise! Sterling Crawford is a poor African American boy living in New Orleans. Sterling plays the trumpet just like his idol Buddy Bolden, a major figure in the development of American jazz. Bolden's music inspires Sterling into the eclectic, inspiring and sometimes shady world of this art form. Kid Sterling is a wonderfully textured story of a young aspiring musician that takes us through the streets, the honky-tonks, and the prisons of a legendary city where great musicians burst with ideas about a music that would eventually take over the world.

Genres: Young Adult

432 pages, Paperback

Published May 27, 2020

Reviews

[Kathy Stinson]

I loved “Kid” from the first page of this novel, where we meet him shining shoes on a street corner in New Orleans, hoping his hero, jazz great Buddy Bolden, will come along for a “mirror shine” and teach him “some licks.”

The energy in the writing is hard to resist too — in the dialogue so convincingly authentic I felt I was there, listening in to characters real-life and fictional, and in the descriptions of setting that suggested music even when it wasn’t music that was happening.

It’s a tough life for a poor black kid in the south early in the 20th century when lynchings in the southern states were not uncommon, and Kid sure meets his share of trouble. But he’s a kid with a talent for composing music, and despite hardship and heartache along the way, the novel ends, appropriately and believably, on a high note.

Even the glossary makes for interesting reading and I appreciated the endnotes about the real-life figures in the story, and the insights into the writing of the novel provided by the author-interview at the end of the book as well.

[American Mensa]

Kid Sterling is honestly not a book I probably would pick off a shelf at a bookstore, it’s just not the type of story that I usually read. But honestly, after reading it, I have to say that passing it up would definitely be a mistake. This book is a historical fiction set in 1906 New Orleans, where there’s a new type of music going around in Buddy Bolden’s bold new jazz style. The story revolves not around this man, but a kid named Sterling Crawford who dreams of being a musician just like Buddy. (Get it? Kid Sterling, like the title of the book!) Being an African-American kid in this time period, however, means anything but smooth sailing, equality was not held high in the list of many people’s morals during this time, and it shows throughout the book. Sterling has to face people doing anything from bumping him around a little bit to full-on attacking him and getting him caught up in prison. Sterling’s brother, Syl, also plays a significant role in many ways. He’s someone to look up to, as he can provide for the family due to his skin tone being light enough to pass as “white,” but he’s also someone to hate, as brothers often are, in the way he sometimes goes a little over the top in pushing Sterling around. He’s obviously one of the more dynamic characters, and he is an important force driving the plot, so it’d be a disservice to leave him out of any review. Normally, this is where I’d talk about plot specifics, but honestly, I think that it’d be better to leave as much as possible as a surprise. This book does follow a normal plot and character development arc, as any good book does, but because you’re following someone’s life in real-world situations, it doesn’t have to stick to the same exact pattern as say, a completely fictional mystery book follows. It feels less like a book at times and more like a biography. (Although, there is more action in this book than in a biography, thankfully.) So while I do recommend you read it, I don’t really want to spoil much more than the exposition I have already given. Overall, I found this to be another spectacular adventure. As far as historical accuracy goes, I’m no expert, but there wasn’t anything so glaringly obvious that broke immersion at any point, and as far as I can tell, the author did a great job with their research. The book does a great job of explaining its environments and really pulling you in, and that is not something that can be said for just any book. If you have enough interest in this book that you read through this whole review, you should definitely pick it up, you won’t regret it.
Reviewed by Owen B, 15, East Central Ohio Mensa (ECOM)

[D Coneybeare]

Always exciting when a writer known (and nominated) for multiple non-fiction works makes the leap to historical fiction. If one done right, the final result should be a compelling yarn set against a canvas boasting both intricate research and perfect-pitch re the vernacular, the tone, of the era. This one was done right. Younger adults will become immersed for the sheer joy of sharing adventures with the flamboyant protagonist. Older fans of jazz will delight in hitherto unknown details -- and "forensic speculation" -- into the life and times of the enigma known as Buddy Bolden. A rare and ephemeral historical figure credited with birthing one of the most popular musical styles of all time, yet about which very little is actually known. Recommended!

[Barbra]

In 1906 the streets of New Orleans were full of jazz and racial division. Young Sterling Crawford loved music, especially the trumpet and aspired to be like the legendary Buddy Bolden. To accomplish this, he must first face the torturous barriers and social injustices exhibited against Black people. Through crime, orphanages and prejudice he perseveres and learns how to put his musical compositions to paper. A thought-provoking historical novel and a truly inspirational story about following your dreams.

[Robin Hodgson]

A wonderful book about following your dream. I highly recommend Kid Sterling - a pleasure to read! The author obviously researched the subject in depth and created a realistic and credible portal into black lives and culture of the time. Kudos to Ms. Welldon!

[Poppsmoke]

I tracked this book down because a friend recommended it and I love-love-love jazz. Did not expect how emotional it would be. Great story. Adults not just kids.

[Glenna Jenkins]

I absolutely loved this book! The story of Kid Sterling and his love of jazz and Buddy Bolden and his dream of becoming a jazz musician in the Deep South will pull you in from start to finish. This book is exceptionally well written. Christine Welldon’s devotion to her craft shows in the details of the story, the relationships and the trials and tribulations of her young protagonist as he navigates the hardships of New Orleans in pursuit of his quest.

[Stephanie Tournas]

It’s the year 1906, and New Orleans is bustling with music, musicians and Honky Tonks. It’s also home to 10 year old boys like Sterling, who would much rather ditch school to play his battered trumpet with pals or with one of the many brass bands that play in the street. But, as an African American kid, there are lots of pitfalls with white folks and police in the Jim Crow South. There are people looking out for Sterling, but even his mother, his teacher, and his adored big brother Syl can’t protect him from Jim Crow. He ends up in the “Colored Home for Boys” for his part in defending himself from a Klansman intent on evil.

Welldon does a wonderful job setting the stage for turn of the century “Nawlins,” from the characters’ dialect, to the descriptions of ragtime and jazz, and the sounds, smells and sights of the city. When Sterling gets to the Home, I am prepared for a horrific experience, like the one in Colson Whitehead’s The Nickel Boys, but the school is run by mainly kind people and actual teachers who want to give the boys an education. Sterling actually flourishes there and learns much about music theory and notation, as a way to put down on paper the many tunes he has written in his head.

This is a stirring historical novel with an all-African-American cast, and a deep look at music AND racism. I felt truly immersed in the time and place. Some of the scenes, as in brothels or with the Mafia, are what we expect to see in books for older readers, and the scenes of Jim Crow violence are genuinely horrifying.

Many of the musicians depicted are based on actual people from the time. Welldon includes a section at the end with brief bios. There is also a glossary of terms, and an interview with the author.

I wish this were an #ownvoices title. But, I believe that Welldon has respected the true experience of African Americans at the time.

[Lorna Nicholson]

Wow. I was so impressed with this novel. The setting is brilliantly written, and I honestly felt like I was there on the streets with Kid Sterling as he delved into the world of Jazz. The characters were so well drawn and the suspense just kept going and going. But I think what impressed the most was the research. Well done.

[Nanci Francis]

I loved this story! It’s perfect for adults as well as teens! Halfway through the book I had to set it aside as I was becoming too emotional. But, I persevered and then couldn’t put it down! I have recommended it to all my friends!

[Diana Dines]

Great read. Thoroughly engaging story.

[Lib Boggs]

Written by my dear friend Christine!

[Jonine Bergen]

I really liked the rhythm of the language in Kid Sterling. It fits the theme of music. It is a slow moving story of a young black boy's journey to be a "musicianer." It is also a snapshot of a culture and time - New Orleans in 1906.

[Michelle]

#ownvoices I won’t support a story that is not told by the appropriate storyteller.

[Jada D.]

3.5 stars!

[Anne]

Kid Sterling is a beautifully and meticulously researched young adult novel which tells the story of Sterling Crawford, a young black boy living in New Orleans in 1906 and who shines shoes on the street to help his family. More than anything, Sterling wants to become a "musicianer" like his idol "Buddy Bolden" who is now considered a founder of American style jazz. Sterling has determination as well as talent and Welldon embroiders a pretty wild back story for him as he strives to make music. There's lots of tension and struggle as the reader comes to know what it was like during Jim Crow in the deep south, especially the terrible racism. This is a strong book but the narrative is choppy - almost as if there are two many scary climaxes for Sterling on his musical journey. As our hero, Sterling could also have been a little more rounded out - somewhat reminiscent of Christopher Paul Curtis' "Bud, Not Buddy" a book which also has a jazz undercurrent. Welldon also does an excellent rendering of the local dialect and vernacular of the time.