BIG STAR FALLIN' MAMA
Five Women in Black Music
by Hettie Jones

"An extraordinary book"                                                          -Best Sellers "Hettie Jones patronizes neither her subjects nor her readers. Her warm sympathetic studies contain more accurate and interesting information than most earlier works geared to adult audiences. . . A loving introduction to America's greatest song style.."                                                                    -Anthony Heibut, author of The Gospel Sound  "The passionate, personal music of Black America is one of this nation's greatest cultural treasures. The essence of this art, as it has been evolving over the years is extraordinarilly dificult to put into words, but Hettie Jones has done just that, and extremely well, for readers of all ages."                                                                                     -New York magazine "Written with candor and sensitivity . . . Gives a great deal of information about popular music in this country and the contributions of many Black performing artists as well as of the five biographees.                                                                    -Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books "Well organized and smoothly written, the discussions of music and society are well woven into the biographical material."                                                                                                     -Booklist

  "The blues-what is it, or what are they? Singular or plural-a way to sing or the way you feel? Big Star Fallin' Mama 
    tells what the blues is about, in an extraordinary narrative of five black women and black music.  With grace and
    style, Hettie Jones explores the lives and times of Ma Rainey, Bessie Smith, Mahalia Jackson,
    Billie Holiday, and Aretha Franklin. Each of  these gifted singers made a unique contribution to the blues.
    and to the world.
                                                                                                                             -from inside jacket
    

Hettie Jones lives in New York City, where she writes and teaches. She is the author of several books for children
    and young adults.
   

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