The Nutcracker in Harlem

by T E McMorrow (Author) James Ransome (Illustrator)

The Nutcracker in Harlem
Reading Level: 2nd − 3rd Grade

A Bank Street College of Education Best Children's Book of the Year!

This jazz-inspired reinvention of The Nutcracker is a worthy tribute to the dreamlike wonder and magic of the Christmas season.

In this original retelling, set in New York City during the height of the Harlem Renaissance, one little girl finds her voice as a musician thanks to her enchanting adventures with a magical toy.

This quintessential holiday tale is brought to vivid life by debut picture book author T. E. McMorrow and Coretta Scott King Award-winning illustrator James Ransome. An author's note at the end provides additional information about the history of the Harlem Renaissance, and about the author's inspiration for this musical retelling.

Select format:
Hardcover
$17.99

Kirkus

Starred Review

An intriguing integration of The Nutcracker’s magic into a new setting and a welcome addition to the shelf of Nutcracker-themed picture books. (Picture book. 4-8)

Publishers Weekly

First-time author McMorrow sets this romantic reimagining of Hoffmann's holiday ballet in 1920s Harlem, streamlining the plot while tapping into the cultural, musical, and social resonance of the Harlem Renaissance. Looking on warily as her parents host the revelers, an African-American girl named Marie is reluctant to join in the singing or dancing, despite the reassurance of a woman named Miss Addie (inspired by singer Adelaide Hall). "Music lives inside everyone," she tells Marie. "You just have to let it out." This proves true when Marie falls asleep and helps her nutcracker (a gift from her Cab Calloway-inspired Uncle Cab) defeat an invading mouse army with the "dum-diddy-dum" of a drum she plays. Filled with motion, emotion, and period detail, Ransome's vivid watercolors celebrate the magic of both the fairy-tale world Marie dreams herself into and the vibrant real-life community that is eager to help her find her voice. Ages 4-8. (Sept.)

Copyright 2017 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

School Library Journal

K-Gr 3--Marie, an African American child, gets a drummer nutcracker figure from her Uncle Cab for Christmas and dreams about toy soldiers coming to life and their battle with the army of mice. Set in Harlem in the 1920s, this version of the classic tale features black characters, and the music is jazz, not Tchaikovsky. Ransome's watercolor illustrations enhance the story handsomely, and the author's end note gives a brief background on the Harlem Renaissance. VERDICT This is a fine addition to the canon of retellings of the E.T.A. Hoffmann tale and the perennially favorite holiday ballet.--Virginia Walter, UCLA Graduate School of Education and Information Studies

Copyright 2017 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Review quotes

 
Classification
Fiction
ISBN-13
9780061175985
Lexile Measure
-
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
HarperCollins
Publication date
September 26, 2017
Series
-
BISAC categories
JUV031020 - Juvenile Fiction | Performing Arts | Dance
JUV011010 - Juvenile Fiction | People & Places | United States - African-American
JUV031040 - Juvenile Fiction | Performing Arts | Music
JUV017010 - Juvenile Fiction | Holidays & Celebrations | Christmas & Advent
Library of Congress categories
History
New York (N.Y.)
20th century
Harlem (New York, N.Y.)
Christmas stories
Dreams
African American families
Christmas
Nutcrackers (Implements)
Bank Street College of Education
Best Children's Book of the Year

Subscribe to our delicious e-newsletter!