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Hey, Charleston!

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Hey, Charleston!
The True Story of the Jenkins Orphanage Band
by Anne Rockwell
illustrated by Colin Bootman
Library, 32 pages
Published November 1st 2013 by Carolrhoda Books 

This is a fascinating non-fiction picture book about the beginning of Rag music. It all started with a pastor of a small church in Charleston. The tender-hearted man began taking in orphans and caring for them. He not only saw to their basic needs, he taught them to care for themselves. The group outgrew his home and they found an old warehouse that was turned into an orphanage. The only problem was the prison next-door. The prisoners were loud and vulgar which was not the examples the pastor wanted for his charges. His decision to teach the boys music may have seemed like a small and rather insignificant thing, but it would change the course of all of their lives in a major way. It also would have a lasting influence in the world of music as well. This beautifully illustrated book is sure to get some attention when awards are being handed out this year! 
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