Skit-Scat Raggedy Cat

By Roxane Orgill, Sean Qualls (Illustrator)

Orphaned and hungry, a young girl discovers her voice and changes her fate.

3.9/5 Goodreads · 276 ratings

48 pages

$17.99Save 7%

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Bookroo's summary

In 1930s Yonkers, young Ella Fitzgerald dances for spare change, but dreams of more. Orphaned and struggling, she finds her true calling at Harlem's Apollo Theater. Her voice, a powerful revelation, propels her from street performer to jazz sensation. As Ella joins Chick Webb's band and scores a radio hit, her journey is a testament to resilience and talent. Will her newfound fame heal the wounds of her past, or will the challenges of the era prove too great? Discover the inspiring rise of a jazz legend in this vibrant tale of hope and music.

From the publisher

A swinging bio of young Ella Fitzgerald, who pushed through the toughest of times to become one of America’s most beloved jazz singers. When Ella Fitzgerald danced the Lindy Hop on the streets of 1930s Yonkers, passersby said good-bye to their loose change. But for a girl who was orphaned and hungry, with raggedy clothes and often no place to spend the night, small change was not enough. One amateur night at Harlem’s Apollo Theater, Ella made a discovery: the dancing beat in her feet could travel up and out of her mouth in a powerful song –and the feeling of being listened to was like a salve to her heart. With lively prose, Roxane Orgill follows the gutsy Ella from school-girl days to a featured spot with Chick Webb’s band and all the way to her number-one radio hit “A-Tisket, A-Tasket.” Jazzy mixed-media art by illustrator Sean Qualls brings the singer’s indomitable spirit to life.Back matter includes resources for further information, and an index.

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