Ella Fitzgerald

K-Gr 2—Born in New York in 1917, Fitzgerald grew up in a time when jazz musicians were popular—and she never missed a chance to see them perform in Harlem. As a teenager, she won a talent contest at the Apollo Theatre and this launched her singing career, one that would span 50 years. Fitzgerald was the first African American woman to win a Grammy and she recorded more than 2,000 songs in her own distinctive style. Vegara highlights a few aspects of Fitzgerald's life. Colorful, one-dimensional drawings fill the pages from edge to edge and the brief text of two or three sentences is located on alternate pages. A fact section and contemporary photographs complete the brief volume. This title's brevity might encourage readers to explore additional sources and perhaps inspire them to listen to and learn more about jazz music.