Yona Zeldis McDonough

Can you imagine writing your very own song before you even learn how to read? Born in Austria in 1756, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was a true musical genius. He composed his first piece of music, a beautiful minuet, when he was just five years old! This fascinating biography takes you back in time to explore the incredible life of history's most famous child prodigy. You will learn how young Mozart traveled across Europe, performing his brilliant music for wealthy kings and powerful emperors. Even though he lived a short life, dying at the age of thirty-five, he left behind a massive legacy of more than 600 musical works. Step into the exciting world of eighteenth-century Europe and discover the history of opera, the evolution of musical instruments, and the extraordinary career of a boy who changed classical music forever.

Listen to the vibrant sounds of early jazz through the incredible life of a true musical genius. Growing up in a tough neighborhood in New Orleans, young Louis Armstrong found himself in a reform school, where a kind teacher handed him a cornet. That single instrument changed his life forever. You will follow his journey from playing in local brass bands to becoming a world-famous trumpet player and band leader. With his unique voice and brilliant improvisations, Louis pushed music into exciting new directions that no one had ever heard before. This inspiring biography shows how a young boy with a passion for rhythm overcame massive obstacles to shape American music and become one of the most beloved entertainers in history.