Dark Was the Night: Blind Willie Johnson's Journey to the Stars (Hardcover) (ISBN-13: 9781524738884)

The poignant story of Blind Willie Johnson--the legendary Texas musician whose song "Dark Was the Night" was included on the Voyager I space probe's Golden Record

Willie Johnson was born in 1897, and from the beginning he loved to sing--and play his cigar box guitar. But his childhood was interrupted when he lost his mother and his sight. How does a blind boy make his way in the world? Fortunately for Willie, the music saved him and brought him back into the light. His powerful voice, combined with the wailing of his slide guitar, moved people. Willie made a name for himself performing on street corners all over Texas. And one day he hit it big when he got a record deal and his songs were played on the radio. Then in 1977, his song--"Dark Was the Night"--was chosen to light up the darkness when it was launched into space on the Voyager I space probe's famous Golden Record. His immortal song was selected for the way it expresses the loneliness humans all feel, while reminding us we're not alone.

Author: Gary Golio
ISBN-10: 1524738883
ISBN-13: 9781524738884
Publisher: Nancy Paulsen Books
Language: English
Published: 08/25/2020
Pages: 32
Format: Hardcover
Weight: 0.83lbs
Size: 11.30h x 8.70w x 0.40d

Accelerated Reader:
Reading Level: 4.2
Point Value: 0.5
Interest Level: Lower Grade
Quiz #/Name: 512095 / Dark Was the Night: Blind Willie Johnson's Journey to the Stars


Review Citation(s):
Bulletin of Ctr for Child Bks 07/01/2020
Kirkus Reviews 06/15/2020
Booklist 06/01/2020 pg. 70
School Library Journal 08/01/2020 pg. 91
Publishers Weekly 11/16/2020
Horn Book Magazine 11/01/2020 pg. 124
Hornbook Guide to Children 07/01/2020 - Superior,Well Above Average