The Jazz Man
By Mary Hays Weik
Published by Aladdin Paperbacks
Copyright 1966
42 Pages
Chilrens's Book

Th Jazz Man is a story about a young boy named Zeke who lives in Harlem. Everyday he sits by the window and watches the window across the street waiting for any signs of life. One day he sees a piano being brought up into the room and a man sits down and starts playing it. Zeke's father calls him a jazz man because of the type if music he plays. Zeke and his mother and father sit by the window everynight listening to the Jazz Man and his band play. It makes them feel happy even thought they are going through a rough time. Zeke's father is unemployed and his mother is always working. One day his mother holds him on her lap until he falls asleep and when he wakes up she's gone. He waits all day but she never comes in from work. Zeke and his father try to carry on without her but his father starts drinking and coming home late. Then one day his father doesnt come home. Zeke is left alone for a couple days. One night he realizes that he has forgotten all about the Jazz Man and how the music used to make him feel happy. He goes downstairs and outside. Across the street he notices a building with musice coming out of if. When he walks in, he sees the Jazz Man and his band playing. Everyone turns to look at him and smile as if they've been waiting for him. Suddenly his father wakes him up and he realizes it was a dream. But was isnt a dream was his mother standing next to his father. His father had left to go find his mother and now they were all back together again.
When i first started reading this book i was a little sceptic at first. I didnt like the fact that the mother left or that the father started drinking and then he too took off. but the end is so good and it brings everyone back together. i also love how the jazz music that the Jazz Man played really affected everyone's attitudes.
I would recomend this book to anyone. i really liked it.
The only problems i see are the fact that the parents left and Zeke was by himself for days.