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

Clayton feels most alive when he’s with his grandfather, Cool Papa Byrd, and the band of Bluesmen—he can’t wait to join them, just as soon as he has a blues song of his own. But then the unthinkable happens. Cool Papa Byrd dies, and Clayton’s mother forbids Clayton from playing the blues. And Clayton knows that’s no way to live.

Armed with his grandfather’s brown porkpie hat and his harmonica, he runs away from home in search of the Bluesmen, hoping he can join them on the road. But on the journey that takes him through the New York City subways and to Washington Square Park, Clayton learns some things that surprise him.

National Book Award Finalist * Kirkus Best Books of 2017 * Horn Book Best Books of 2017 * Publishers Weekly Best Books of 2017 * School Library Journal Best Books of 2017 * NAACP Image Awards Youth/Teens Winner * Chicago Public Library Best Books * Boston Globe Best Books of 2017

"This slim novel strikes a strong chord."—Publishers Weekly (starred review)

"This complex tale of family and forgiveness has heart.” —School Library Journal (starred review)

"Strong characterizations and vivid musical scenes add layers to this warm family story.” —Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

“An appealing, realistic story with frequent elegant turns of phrase." —The Horn Book (starred review)

"Garcia-Williams skillfully finds melody in words.” —Booklist (starred review)

What happens when the music that connects you to family is the one thing you’re forbidden to play?

A Grandfather and Grandson Story: Clayton’s best friend is his grandfather, Cool Papa Byrd, the legendary bluesman who taught him everything he knows about life, love, and music.
Deep Family Conflict: After Cool Papa’s sudden death, Clayton’s grieving mother bans the blues, taking away the one thing that keeps his grandfather’s memory alive.
Finding Your Voice: Armed with a porkpie hat and a harmonica, Clayton sets out on his own to find the Bluesmen and prove he has a blues story worth telling.
A Subway Adventure: From the tunnels of the NYC subway to the chaos of Washington Square Park, Clayton’s journey to find his band becomes a powerful quest to find himself.

Clayton Byrd Goes Underground

Clayton Byrd Goes Underground