The Musical Debut of Amy Cheney Beach
February 15, 2023
Grades 2-4 This biography tells the history of Amy Cheney Beach, a composer and pianist in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries who was a pioneer for women in music. Going from her humble farm beginnings in New Hampshire as a musical child prodigy to her education in Boston to her debut at the Boston Music Hall at age 16, the story explores a girl pursuing the profession of music at a time it wasn't considered "proper." But when her Aunt Franc convinces her mother to let her touch the piano, it is like a dam of talent is unleashed. Paired with Jay's vibrant illustrations, with a cracked-paint-like texture that pops off the page like paintings of the period, this lively tale will introduce young readers to a new and important historical figure who--in ways such as playing by ear or memory to linking colors with sounds--proves a truly remarkable person. This charming introduction to Beach's life and career is explored in further historical detail in the extensive back matter.
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February 6, 2023
In a picture book exploration of the childhood of composer and musician Amy Cheney Beach (1867–1944), DeLems spotlights a barrier-breaking feminist in the male-dominated 19th-century music industry. Growing up in a musical New Hampshire household, Cheney Beach early on exhibits characteristics of a musical prodigy—talents that alarm her traditionalist mother. Finally relenting to their daughter’s begging, the Cheneys allow their daughter to study piano, hoping the skill will help her find a husband. Ambitious Cheney Beach has no intention of settling, however, and as her excellent piano playing attracts attention, she resolves to defy convention by performing on stage. DeLems focuses on Cheney Beach’s childhood through her stage debut, energizing detail-rich text with interspersed staccato sentences and all-caps emphasis, while Jay’s crackled illustrations establish the mood of her rural upbringing through earth-toned paintings. Copious back matter discusses Cheney Beach’s marriage and career as a composer. Ages 7–10.
March 1, 2023
Gr 2-5-A cheery picture book biography about Amy Cheney Beach, a white 19th-century musician who was composing songs before she turned two years old. Born into a middle-class New England family in 1867, Beach longed to play her mother's piano. Her conservative parents forbade her to perform and play in public. But the little girl couldn't contain her love of music and persisted in composing. Eventually, her tenacity won out, and Beach was able to take piano lessons, perform at recitals, and debut at the Boston Hall of Music at 16. She went on to publish her first symphony not long after and became the first American woman to receive widespread acclaim as a composer of a large-scale work for orchestra. DeLems shares Beach's accomplishments with a sprightly text. Jay's signature artwork illuminates the young woman's rise to fame with bright yellows and sky blues. The lively narrative and images combine to give a rambunctious feel to the work. An author's note, time line, period photos, musical glossary, and bibliography are included in the back matter. Readers will be inspired by her verve and dedication. VERDICT A joyous picture book biography about a little known, gifted female musician, that would make a great choice for most nonfiction shelves.-Shelley M. Diaz
Copyright 2023 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
Starred review from January 15, 2023
A profile of the early life of a 19th-century musical prodigy. As a child, Amy Cheney Beach (1867-1944) hummed in perfect pitch and sang an entire anthem at age 2 to amazed family and friends. Ironically, her music-teacher mother, who had "strong religious beliefs" and didn't want her child drawing attention to herself, was one of her biggest obstacles to progress. DeLems presents the ongoing battle and the child's perseverance with an abundance of strong verbs: Aunt Franc, who ultimately intervened, "plopped" the 4-year-old on the piano bench. "Mama objected. Aunt Franc persisted. And Amy pounced into action." Three original waltzes flowed out. Jay's New Hampshire landscapes channel Grant Wood's painting The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere, with its saltbox homes and curving pathways. The crackle varnish on her oil compositions lends an aged appearance appropriate to the subject. Jay creates energy and interest by displaying classical composers dancing through the sheet music as Amy practices and Mother Goose characters skipping through dynamic musical staves as the girl composes her own melodies for the nursery rhymes. Readers see multiple images of her beautifully poised hands as she plays at her Boston Music Hall debut, indicating the fullness of her sound. The narrative concludes with that performance at age 16, but extensive backmatter covers the rest of her life. Amy was White, as are most of the characters depicted. (This book was reviewed digitally.) Carefully chosen details paint a portrait of a remarkable young person. (author's note, photographs, timeline, glossary, bibliography, websites, places to visit, picture credits) (Picture-book biography. 5-10)
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