This is a quirky but fun read, led by a young protagonist who is so unlikable, you cannot help but root for her. Music, love and life all blend together with lyrical prose to make a charming story come to life. Note: This review was based on an Advanced Reader's Edition.
Cute story about a very precocious 9 year old. Her (deceased) mother was a jazz singer (among other things) and she aspires to be one too. Her father is almost completely out of the picture. He spends all day every day stuck in his room with the door locked. Madeleine pretty much takes care of herself, along with the help of neighbors and local shop owners who knew her mother. The Cat's Pajamas is a jazz club in town. It used to be the #1 club, but has been declining in recent years. The whole book takes place in just 1 day - Christmas Eve Eve.
I enjoyed the book. There is some bad language. When Madeleine sings, strange things happen, That part was kinda cool, but completely unbelievable. Just accept it and keep going.
I enjoyed the book. There is some bad language. When Madeleine sings, strange things happen, That part was kinda cool, but completely unbelievable. Just accept it and keep going.
A young girl dreaming about signing, a young teacher trying to find love, and a club owner who is hoping to keep his family business open through many hurdles. All three of these characters get the chance to share their own story and this book takes place all in one day with the time ticking through the book.
Not my favorite book with a whole heck of a lot of quirky characters and not one really grabbed me in one way or another, this book just kind of fell flat for me. If you are a fan of of books filled with quirk then this one may be more up your alley than it was mine.
Not my favorite book with a whole heck of a lot of quirky characters and not one really grabbed me in one way or another, this book just kind of fell flat for me. If you are a fan of of books filled with quirk then this one may be more up your alley than it was mine.
Review
The story begins at 7 A.M. on Christmas Eve Eve in a seedy part of Philadelphia. There is quite a cast of quirky characters, not the least of which is Madeleine, a smart-mouthed, rebellious nine-year-old whose mother has died, and her father is absent with grief. Madeleine loves to sing, and she hears of a jazz club called The Cat's Pajamas that she wants to go to. Time progresses in increments, as the cast of characters are introduced, until it is 2 A.M. at The Cat's Pajamas. There were parts of this story I really liked, but then other parts I felt lost on. Overall, it was a fun read, if a little bit off-beat.
The story begins at 7 A.M. on Christmas Eve Eve in a seedy part of Philadelphia. There is quite a cast of quirky characters, not the least of which is Madeleine, a smart-mouthed, rebellious nine-year-old whose mother has died, and her father is absent with grief. Madeleine loves to sing, and she hears of a jazz club called The Cat's Pajamas that she wants to go to. Time progresses in increments, as the cast of characters are introduced, until it is 2 A.M. at The Cat's Pajamas. There were parts of this story I really liked, but then other parts I felt lost on. Overall, it was a fun read, if a little bit off-beat.
