BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3), EL - ADVISABLE
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
In the 1940s, people from different New York neighborhoods weren't supposed to dance together. Italians, Puerto Ricans, Black people, and Jews danced in their own places. Then a band called Machito and his Afro-Cubans started a new kind of music called Latin Jazz. Latin Jazz was very popular; everyone was dancing to it - but not together. until the Palladium Ballroom hired Machito's band and welcomed everyone! So many cultures! Soon they were all dancing the Mambo together.
I'm glad this picture book was a little oversized because Eric Velasquez's illustrations were incredible. Almost like photographs. ¡Mambo Mucho Mambo! the Dance That Crossed Color Lines is the true story of a ballroom desegregating dancing in New York City and helping set the groundwork for the civil rights movement. I wanted to listen to Latin Jazz after reading this exciting non-fiction. The characters are real people who went on to receive acclaim for their dancing. Includes an author's note and resources.
Lisa Librarian
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