(2) K-3 Illustrated by Keith Henry Brown. Loose free verse with pared down language picks up on the sounds of Miles Davis's (1926–1991) childhood as he hones the trumpet style that will later make him a jazz great. Text and illustration alike for this picture book biography have an appropriately improvisational feel; Brown's unfinished-looking ink drawings are enhanced by energetic watercolors. Interspersed quotes from Davis in a handwritten font lend immediacy to the text.

Reviewer: Laura Koenig | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2019

(4) 4-6 Innovators series. This standard-issue biography describes Davis's rise to jazz greatness and his contributions to the genre; the text skims over his problems with drugs, alcohol, and depression. After briefly mentioning his early life, the volume focuses mostly on his career and how Davis transformed modern jazz. The writing is accessible but bland. Many vivid photos help liven things up. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Cyrisse Jaffee

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Marek Los. Based on a true episode, this fictionalized account is told from the perspective of musician Miles Davis, who traveled to New York as a teenager in hopes of meeting his idol, Charlie Parker. The text mimics the rhythms of jazz, while the color illustrations effectively convey Davis's isolation in the big city. However, younger readers are unlikely to have much interest in the older protagonist or his quest.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta