Oscar Peterson

Gr 7–10—Peterson may not be a household name in the U.S., but, in his native Canada, the legendary jazz pianist is a pretty big deal. Few pianists could match Peterson in terms of technical virtuosity, but fellow countryman (and former jazz reviewer) Batten goes beyond the music and shows that hard work and parental support helped the musician distinguish himself among the many jazz greats of his day. The author seems unable at times to pinpoint his intended audience. For instance, while discussing the racism Peterson faced touring in the American South, he uses awkward and clichéd language that seems geared toward elementary students. Yet when describing Peterson's playing, he highlights intricacies of the music that only a jazz fan would understand. The book's design is also largely problematic; in many cases, photographs on a given page have absolutely nothing to do with the surrounding text. Take the discussion of Peterson's father's failing health, which shares space with a photo of Peterson and Fred Astaire joking together. While certainly worthy of a biopic, this book will be a hard sell for most young readers. The esoteric subject, inconsistent writing, and subpar organization make it an additional purchase.—Sam Bloom, Blue Ash Library, Cincinnati, OH