Music Mavens

October 1, 2022
Upbeat minibiographies of women in the music industry. Expanding well beyond vocalists, the authors highlight composers, songwriters, producers, improvisational performers, an instrument designer, and others who have found successful career paths in music. They describe the contributions of those who work behind the scenes in sound engineering, cinematic scoring, and similar pursuits through attention to a globally diverse range of celebrated women in music. Drawing upon interviews with their subjects, Walker and Charles provide an antidote to the erasure that can limit young people's conceptions of what is possible by centering the achievements of those who inspire, inform, and expand the world of music. Covering many musical styles and genres, the ambitious scope and inclusive lens largely succeed at showing the talent, drive, determination, ingenuity, passion, and creativity of each mover and shaker. Unfortunately, the prose is rather trite and repetitive, and the brief portraits don't quite address hurdles so much as they gloss over them, framing stories in terms of a heroic arc in which a key, life-defining twist of good fortune yields an opportunity that changes everything. Nevertheless, the simple structure conveys optimistic narratives and helpful career options for young music lovers to consider. Women behind the music take center stage. (tribute to Sophie Xeon, authors' notes, playlist, resources, notes) (Nonfiction. 12-18)

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December 1, 2022
Grades 7-10 This collective biography, based on interviews with the subjects conducted by the authors, showcases diverse women in the music industry. As each approachable profile traces the music maven's career path, influences, and guiding principles, readers will appreciate the range of genres represented, note how few of these women came from musical families, and consider the challenges these women have faced working in a male-dominated industry. While the collection does include singers and performers, such as Janet Dacal (a Cuban American singer on Broadway) and Kaoly Asano (the leading percussionist in Japan's GOCOO band and founder of a new style of taiko drumming), it also features Irish American beatboxing champion Kaila Mullady, who uses beatboxing skills to help children with speech therapy, and Australian-born and partially sighted Lia Mice, whose work as a musical instrument designer focuses on inclusion. The overall effect is a rich and inspiring mix of talent and career directions. Boxed information lends further accessibility by explaining related terms, genres, and musicians. A playlist featuring each musician wraps up this high-interest volume with educational value.

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