Playing at the Border: A Story of Yo-Yo Ma

The New York Times bestselling author of Eyes That Kiss in the Corners, Joanna Ho, delivers a poignant picture book biography about the musician Yo-Yo Ma, immigration, and using music to build bridges.

Winner of the Ezra Jack Keats Award Honor * Featured in Book Riot's Must Read September 2021 List

"By examining the life of Ma, whose story resonates with courage, persistence, and unity, Ho inspires readers to break barriers of their own." --Horn Book (starred review)

"Everyone can benefit from Ho's message of music bringing calm and peace to the world." --Booklist

"Hopeful and lovely." --Kirkus

"An ambitious portrait of a storied humanitarian with a clear message of advocacy." --Publishers Weekly

Joanna Ho's lyrical writing and Teresa Martinez's vibrant art weave together to tell an inspiring story of Yo-Yo Ma, who challenges conventions, expectations, and beliefs in order to build bridges to unite communities, people, and cultures. A beautiful picture book biography to enjoy and share in the home and the classroom.

Before Yo-Yo Ma became one of the most renowned and celebrated cellists, he wanted to play the double bass. But it was too big for his four-year-old hands. Over time, Ma honed his amazing talent, and his music became a reflection of his own life between borders, cultures, disciplines, and generations.

Since then, he has recorded over a hundred albums, won nineteen Grammy Awards, performed for eight American presidents, and received the National Medal of the Arts and the Presidential Medal of Freedom, just to name a few accomplishments.

Staying true to himself, Yo-Yo Ma performed at the US-Mexico border at the Rio Grande on April 13, 2019, as part of his multi-continent "Bach Project" tour to prove a point--through music, we can build bridges rather than walls between different cultures.

Author: Joanna Ho
Publisher: HarperCollins
Published: 09/28/2021
Pages: 40
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 1lbs
Size: 10.10h x 10.20w x 0.50d
ISBN: 9780062994547
Audience: Ages 4-8

Accelerated Reader:
Reading Level: 6.6
Point Value: 0.5
Interest Level: Lower Grade
Quiz #/Name: 516367 / Playing at the Border: A Story of Yo-Yo Ma


Award: Ezra Jack Keats Book Award - Honor Book


Review Citation(s):
Booklist 06/01/2021 pg. 72
Publishers Weekly 07/05/2021
Kirkus Reviews 08/15/2021
Horn Book Magazine 09/01/2021 pg. 118

About the Author
Ho, Joanna: -

Joanna Ho is passionate about equity in books and education. She has been an English teacher, a dean, and a teacher professional development mastermind. She is currently the vice principal of a high school in the San Francisco Bay Area. Homemade chocolate chip cookies, outdoor adventures, and dance parties with her kids make Joanna's eyes crinkle into crescent moons. Her books for young readers include Eyes That Kiss in the Corners. Visit her at www.joannahowrites.com and @JoannaHoWrites.