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mdevlin923's review against another edition
3.0
An introduction to Motown Music, and a history of its creation in 1950s-1960s Detroit by Berry Gordy and his family. It covers Gordy's childhood, creation of the Motown record label, various bands formed in Detroit, and modern-day artists that were influenced by Motown sound.
mikkelsonch's review against another edition
4.0
I think once you could convince a young reader to pick up this book they would really love it. It might seem long and a bit too educational, but the author's style and voice is superb and with pictures and wide margins it's not that long. Pinkney does a splendid job of explaining concepts kids might need while not talking down to them. Eighth graders will like and need to Google songs along the way.
molly_dettmann's review against another edition
4.0
1. Snazzy cover
2. Interesting and thorough history of Motown Records and Berry Gordy
3. I could hear all the music mentioned in my mind as I was reading this. It made for a very fun read! For kids who might not listen to their local oldies station, it might be cool to have them listen to some songs on YouTube at least, before and after reading this book. I can see this being kind of boring if you'd never heard any of the music before.
2. Interesting and thorough history of Motown Records and Berry Gordy
3. I could hear all the music mentioned in my mind as I was reading this. It made for a very fun read! For kids who might not listen to their local oldies station, it might be cool to have them listen to some songs on YouTube at least, before and after reading this book. I can see this being kind of boring if you'd never heard any of the music before.
novelesque_life's review against another edition
4.0
RHYTHM RIDE: A Road Trip Through Motown Sound
Written by Andrea Davis Pinkney
2015; 176 Pages (Roaring Books Press)
(I received an ARC from the NETGALLEY)
Rating: 4 Stars
(Review Not on Blog)
"Berry Gordy began Motown in 1959 with an $800 loan from his family. He converted the garage of a residential house into a studio and recruited teenagers from the neighborhood-like Smokey Robinson, Mary Wells, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, and Diana Ross-to sing for his new label. Meanwhile, the country was on the brink of a cultural revolution, and one of the most powerful agents of change in the following decade would be this group of young black performers from urban Detroit. From Berry Gordy and his remarkable vision to the Civil Rights movement, from the behind-the-scenes musicians, choreographers, and song writers to the most famous recording artists of the century, Andrea Davis Pinkney takes readers on a Rhythm Ride through the story of Motown." (From Publisher)
What a great day to read this (Women's March) as I really got into the era and music. I am a big fan of 1960s Motown so this was right up my alley. It is a book for children, but I still think it is a great book for any ages - a good beginner's book. I enjoyed Pinkney's writing and the way she transforms you in the time and place where Motown began.
Written by Andrea Davis Pinkney
2015; 176 Pages (Roaring Books Press)
(I received an ARC from the NETGALLEY)
Rating: 4 Stars
(Review Not on Blog)
"Berry Gordy began Motown in 1959 with an $800 loan from his family. He converted the garage of a residential house into a studio and recruited teenagers from the neighborhood-like Smokey Robinson, Mary Wells, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, and Diana Ross-to sing for his new label. Meanwhile, the country was on the brink of a cultural revolution, and one of the most powerful agents of change in the following decade would be this group of young black performers from urban Detroit. From Berry Gordy and his remarkable vision to the Civil Rights movement, from the behind-the-scenes musicians, choreographers, and song writers to the most famous recording artists of the century, Andrea Davis Pinkney takes readers on a Rhythm Ride through the story of Motown." (From Publisher)
What a great day to read this (Women's March) as I really got into the era and music. I am a big fan of 1960s Motown so this was right up my alley. It is a book for children, but I still think it is a great book for any ages - a good beginner's book. I enjoyed Pinkney's writing and the way she transforms you in the time and place where Motown began.
crystal_reading's review against another edition
4.0
I really appreciated this look into the history of Motown. I learned a lot about the work the went into the sound and enjoyed listening to the songs online along the way. I also appreciated the groovy voice of the narrator.
The tone of the book is upbeat though it includes some of the ugliness of racism along the way and the struggles in the US through war and the civil rights movement. The point isn't to teach African American history, but you do get some here that you might have missed during general American History classes.
Overall, it's a celebration of Motown and all that was accomplished. It led me to wonder about the darker side to all of that careful control. I wondered how the artists felt being molded into the ideal. They got amazing things for their work, but I just had to wonder if there was a lot left out of the book about that aspect.
The tone of the book is upbeat though it includes some of the ugliness of racism along the way and the struggles in the US through war and the civil rights movement. The point isn't to teach African American history, but you do get some here that you might have missed during general American History classes.
Overall, it's a celebration of Motown and all that was accomplished. It led me to wonder about the darker side to all of that careful control. I wondered how the artists felt being molded into the ideal. They got amazing things for their work, but I just had to wonder if there was a lot left out of the book about that aspect.
raechsreads's review against another edition
4.0
I found this to be a thoroughly delightful book. I recognized several of the artists names and didn't realize that they found success in Detroit. The history of Motown through the decades is an interesting realization of how much music can reflect the times.
froggylibrarian1's review against another edition
4.0
This book was an interesting look at the History of Motown - how it started and evolved and the social backdrop. I have obviously heard of Motown but did not really know that much about it. As an adult I enjoyed the book. I could see this book working as part of a curriculum looking at the 60s and 70s and the Civil Rights Movement and Vietnam. In my own school I am not sure the book would find an audience but I feel like the bookwould be successful in the right hands.
pwbalto's review against another edition
4.0
I read Rhythm Ride while my husband was reading Once in a Great City by David Maraniss. Both books covered Berry Gordy and the unique factors that made Detroit ground zero for hit after hit after hit throughout the 60's and 70's. But Andrea's book reads like your cool auntie telling you a story, and Bob didn't finish the Maraniss book. So there.
All my picks for best books to give this holiday are at http://www.unadulterated.us/pink-me/2015/12/give-it-all-the-goodies-for-this-holiday-season.html
All my picks for best books to give this holiday are at http://www.unadulterated.us/pink-me/2015/12/give-it-all-the-goodies-for-this-holiday-season.html
stenaros's review against another edition
3.0
Read for Librarian Book Group
Sit back and go for a journey of Motown's story with a velvet-voiced DJ. I loved the level of detail and there were so many small facts I delighted in. They layout was good, with ample pictures. The voice of the DJ totally worked for me. Certain things in Motown's history were glossed-glossed-glossed over, but as this is more of an appreciation of Motown than a down-and-dirty history, I rolled with it.
I read this with my phone handy, so I could listen to the songs I wasn't familiar with. I found them all on YouTube, most without commercials.
Sit back and go for a journey of Motown's story with a velvet-voiced DJ. I loved the level of detail and there were so many small facts I delighted in. They layout was good, with ample pictures. The voice of the DJ totally worked for me. Certain things in Motown's history were glossed-glossed-glossed over, but as this is more of an appreciation of Motown than a down-and-dirty history, I rolled with it.
I read this with my phone handy, so I could listen to the songs I wasn't familiar with. I found them all on YouTube, most without commercials.
bluebookroad's review against another edition
funny
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
5.0