
Blues Boy: the B. B. King Story
HarperCollins · Print & ebook · January 27, 2026
A Biography pick for readers exploring Blues Boy: the B.
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- Who it’s for
- Trace B. B. King’s path from a childhood in the Jim Crow South to blues stardom.
- Themes
- Family and community, Music and history, Empathy and justice
- Genres
- Musicians' Lives for Kids, African American Life (U.S.), Performers' Biographies for Kids
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For older readers: King: a Life, Strange Fruit, Volume II, Escaping the Delta
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Start with this bookAbout this book
From his childhood in the Jim Crow South to his triumphant reign as the King of Blues, Blues Boy tells the aspirational story of American music icon B.B. King. For readers of Trombone Shorty, When Marian Sang, and Drum Dream Girl. Includes a timeline, author’s note, and suggestions for reading and listening. At twelve years old, Riley B. King borrowed fifteen dollars from his boss to buy a used guitar.
Continue reading
Before long, he was playing his music for jubilant crowds all over the world. Blues Boy chronicles B. B. King’s inspiring journey from his childhood in the Jim Crow South to global stardom. It is a compelling biography about the widely known and celebrated American music figure as well as a beautifully illustrated picture book with themes of family, community, history, kindness, empathy, and justice. Acclaimed author Alice Faye Duncan makes B.B. King’s story both accessible and inspiring for young readers. The text is sometimes uplifting and sometimes heart-wrenching, but always carries emotional depth, much like the music it celebrates. Illustrator and visual artist Carl Joe Williams provides artwork that is rich and distinctive, bringing B.B. King’s story to life on every page. Blues Boy will find a place on the shelf with books like Trombone Shorty and Radiant Child. Includes backmatter.
B. B. King’s Journey
Trace B. B. King’s path from a childhood in the Jim Crow South to blues stardom.
Come here for
- B. B. King’s journey from the Jim Crow South to global stardom
Expect
- A timeline
- Suggestions for reading and listening
Where it sits
| Musicians' Lives for Kids | 93% |
|---|---|
| Performers' Biographies for Kids | 38% |
| African American Life (U.S.) | 28% |
Percentages are BookFrontier’s reading of the book.
Publisher categories
- Musicians' Lives for Kids
- African American Life (U.S.)
- Music History
- Jazz
- Authors
- Alice Faye Duncan
- Publisher
- HarperCollins
- Published
- January 27, 2026
- Format
- Print & ebook
- Theme
- Family and community · Music and history · Empathy and justice
- Reading lane
- Musicians' Lives for Kids