From beloved Newbery Honor winner and three-time Coretta Scott King Award winner Rita Williams-Garcia comes a robust and heartfelt book about loss, family, and love that may appeal to followers of Jason Reynolds and Kwame Alexander.

Clayton feels most alive when he’s along with his grandfather, Great Papa Byrd, as well as the band of Bluesmen-he can’t wait around to join them, just when he has a blues tune of his own. But the unthinkable happens. Cool Papa Byrd dies, and Clayton’s mother forbids Clayton about Clayton Byrd Moves Underground from playing the blues. And Clayton understands that’s no chance to live.

Armed along with his grandfather’s brownish porkpie hat and his harmonica, he runs abroad in search of the Bluesmen, expecting he can join them on the highway. But in the trip that will take him through the brand new York Town subways and to Washington Square Recreation area, Clayton discovers some stuff that shock him.

National Book Honor Finalist * Kirkus Best Books of 2017 * Horn Publication Best Books of 2017 * Web publishers Weekly Ideal Books of 2017 * College Library Journal Best Books of 2017 * NAACP Image Awards Youngsters/Teens Champion * Chicago General public Library Ideal Books * Boston Globe Ideal Books of 2017

‘This slim novel strikes a strong chord.’-Publishers Regular (starred review)

‘This complex story of family members and forgiveness offers heart.” -College Library Journal (starred review)

‘Solid characterizations and stunning musical scenes add layers to the warm family tale.” -Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

“An attractive, realistic tale with regular elegant changes of expression.’ -The Horn Book (starred review)

‘Garcia-Williams skillfully finds melody in terms.” -Booklist (starred review)