A Trip Through Music History

Music is all around us. From the music playing on the radio, in elevators, when you are on hold and when you watch TV. Even if you are not a big music fan you are still always surrounded by the symphony of life. So how do we process music and how does it affect our lives? The Science of Song: How and Why we Make Music by Alan Cross, Emme Cross and Nicole Martillaro and illustrated by Carl Wiens gives readers a detailed look at all things music from a scientific perspective.

This non-fiction middle grade text is filled with SO MUCH information about music and sound. Starting with an explanation about the way we hear and continuing on to explorations into instruments, artists and the way technology has changed over the course of history to distribute music to the masses. I particularly love the explanations about cassette tapes and 8 tracks, things that were ubiquitous to my childhood and are now considered old fashioned (yikes!). Each two page spread focuses on an element of music and includes a three song playlist relevant to the topic. The writing team chose songs throughout history from spirituals to  Beethoven to The Police and Billie Eilish, readers will get to hear music they may never have heard before as they navigate this book. Such an excellent way to connect readers to the subject matter.

At the end of the book there is a fantastic timeline that starts 50000 years ago and brings readers to the immediate present including the impacts to the music industry of the COVID-19 pandemic. A glossary and a list of additional sources for readers to explore round out the book and provide more learning opportunities for those interested.

Carl Weins’ illustrations are more like graphics strike the right balance of historic and futuristic vibe adding detail and high interest for readers.