This book is a powerful testament to the power of faith, hope , music and a people. As an African American woman it gave me an opportunity to discuss the hard subjects of the middle passage and slavery as it pertains to African Americans, with my children ,in a way that was not sad or confrontational. Just conversation opening. Using music as the thread that could hold a people and Imani the grasshopper together during the middle passage journey was a wonderful literary device easily picked up on even by my six year old. Because of this book she has vowed to me that she will sing everyday. This book has become her favorite book and when I hear her voice in the morning it becomes mine too.