How Sweet the Sound, Alexander

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 references to artists like Robert Johnson, Ella Fitzgerald, Jimi Hendrix, Whitney Houston, Lauryn Hill and Beyoncé? 

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.

Author: Kwame Alexander
Illustrator: Charly Palmer
Format: Hardcover, 48 pages
Publisher: Little Brown Books for Young Readers (2025)
ISBN: 9780316442497