This entertaining and comprehensive informational text is a narrative history of the influence Motown had on music, American culture, and the civil rights movement. Author’s Note, Timeline, Discography.

Narrated by the Groove, the book explores the founding and development of the Motown Sound at Hitsville USA. The voice of the book brings a fun tone and delves into tough issues with a somber tone. This book needs a soundtrack! ( )

Superb stories about all the young artists who helped create the Motown sound of the 60s and the role their music played in the cultural revolution of that decade. This story looks into the lives of Berry Gordy, Smokey Robinson, Mary Wells, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder and Diana Ross. ( )

RHYTHM RIDE: A ROAD TRIP THROUGH THE MOTOWN SOUND by Andrea Davis Pinkney chronicles the rise of Motown music in Detroit.

Pinkney’s smooth narrative will draw readers into the world of Berry Gordy and the rise of Motown Records. Featuring well-known artists from Smokey Robinson and Stevie Wonder to the Jackson Five, Pinkney connects key political and cultural movements including the Civil Rights Movement to the evolving Motown sound. In addition to the well-known artists, Pinkney also weaves in fascinating information about song writers, choreographers, and others who worked behind the scenes.

The many captioned black and white photos will attract many readers. Students doing research will appreciate the author’s note, timeline, discography, source notes, further reading, and index.

Appropriate for both middle grades and young adults, librarians will find this work of nonfiction to be an excellent addition to the library’s music biography collection.

To learn more about the author, go to http://andreadavispinkney.com/.

Published by September 29, 2015 by Roaring Brook Press, an imprint of Macmillan. ARC courtesy of the publisher. ( )

I grew up worshiping the Motown sound and every month I walked to the newsstand to buy Right On magazine to read (and obsess) about the comings and goings of the Jackson Five, Diana Ross and other Motown stars. Rhythm Ride, written for middle school and older children, is a fast-paced, fun and lyrical trip through the history of Motown. We learn about the talented, and driven African-Americans who made the Sound of Young America omnipresent while also learning about the history of the the Civil Rights movement. Narrated by the "Groove" a deeply knowledgeable, expressive and passionate entity (we don't know who it is), the Groove takes us through the ups and downs and excitement of that time.

One of the best parts of the book was seeing how the company was built, star by star, song by song with everybody having to compete and elbow their way into the Motown sound. Everybody had the potential to be heard and count. The other part of the book that I really appreciated is that the Groove does not mince words about the racial issues of the time and really calls out how Black people were dehumanized and exploited by Whites. The Groove tells it like it is but also reminds us to take care of ourselves and comfort ourselves as we learn this harsh history. It is put into context of the Motown story and is real and right yet hopeful as we learn about the people who were working to make change and also make great music.

I do think that the author glosses over some of the difficulties that the stars and musicians, etc had about getting a fair share from Berry Gordy. By the end there was hard feelings about money, etc. and I don't think it should be a big part of the story I think it should be noted.

My daughter is 10 years old and I can't wait to give her a copy of this book.

Thank you for allowing me to review this book for an honest opinion,. ( )