The Boy from Nine Miles: The Early Life of Bob Marley (Young Spirit Books)

Rating:
Summary: It made them cry
Review: I have read this book to my middle school ESE classes for the past three school years (present year included). Year after year, class after class, it has enchanted and enthralled each and every child. They cry.
Mind you, these are not your average students. My students come from extremely harsh environments and many of them have criminal histories. They are the so-called 'tough guys' of the school. Yet still, they cry. Every last one of them

Rating:
Summary: Not just for the young
Review: Gerald Hausman is a not only a distinguished writer, but has lived in Jamaica and knows the culture with eyes wide open. His daughter, Mariah Fox, was almost raised on the island and her drawings, more magical than real, speak of places beyond places. Cedella Marley was always there, heard all the stories, knows all the songs, and tells the story of Bob Marley's childhood from a daughter's view point. All my children have this book, as do my grandchildren, and one day so will my great grandchildren. Read it, look at the pictures, and smile. It is that good.

Rating:
Summary: The New World Has Just Begun
Review: I have seen this book reviewed in various media. The Ruminator, for example, calls it "...an intriguing biography...successfully captures a child's point of view...Rich rhythmic language, rife with biblical imagery, conjures the young Nesta's idyllic farm life with his beloved Mumma and grandfather...bordered ink and colored pencil illustrations help readers imagine both rural urban life on this small island in the 1950s." This last is not surprising since the illustrator, Mariah Fox, lived in Jamaica for thirteen summers and is the mother of three Jamaican children. Her work in the book complements Cedella Marley's soft, well-intentioned prose.

Rating:
Summary: Great for Kids
Review: This book continues to amaze me -- no matter how many times I read it. I also have shared the novel with many friends and family as gifts. The story of Bob Marley's childhood is revealed truthfully and vividly through beautiful illustrations by Mariah Fox and a wonderful collaboration by daughter Cedella Marley and seasoned author Gerald Hausman.

The message of this book rings as clear and soulful as Bob Marley's own songs. Adults and children alike can share in this experience and journey of a child - it's a fantastic learning tool especially for kids and the subject matter is sure to keep them interested. Highly Recommended.

Rating:
Summary: Keeping Marley Spirit Alive for Future Generations
Review: What a lovely book. With so much to choose from among Marley publications, this one truly distinguishes itself in that it capture the real spirit of Marley's origins. Since you could call Bob the ultimate Roots musician, Boy From Nine Miles is a kind of Roots for the Marley story. It is certainly geared towards the young ones, but it could easily win a place in the heart of older readers too. The illustrations are very simpatico with the earthiness of Marley's story and helps deliver the Marley tale with earnestness without becoming sappy. Marley was an earnest man after all and it is no surprise to me that the open hearted and earnest style of a children's book may be one of the surest ways to convey, aside from his music, Marley's roots in Jamaica, his spirit and his passion for justice and truth. There is no doubt if you have always loved Bob's music and have kids, this really does belong in your home library. I can totally understand why this would be a hit in the schools too as another reviewer testified. Very nicely done book.