American Latin Music

Rumba Rhythms, Bossa Nova, and the Salsa Sound

From the Series American Music Milestones

  • Interest Level: Grade 5 - Grade 12
  • Reading Level: Grade 6

The crowd sways to the melodic strumming of a bossa nova guitarist.
A vocalist belts out lyrics that blend English and Spanish.
Couples dance to salsa’s syncopated rhythms.
These are the sounds of Latin music.

Before Latin music exploded into the mainstream in the 1990s, it was on the sidelines of American pop. Ritchie Valens fused Latin dance music with rock. Julio Iglesias popularized Latin ballads in the United States. And Gloria Estefan was the first crossover artist. But after Ricky Martin’s “Livin’ La Vida Loca” exploded onto the pop scene in 1999, Latin music took center stage.

Follow the evolution of Latin music through the decades. Learn how its distinct sounds and catchy rhythms have been integrated into American pop. Discover how it is used for political expression. And read more about stars such as Victor Jara, Selena, and Shakira.

Format Your Price Add
978-1-5124-5274-7
$34.99
978-1-4677-5965-6
$39.99
978-1-5124-4153-6
$19.99
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Interest Level Grade 5 - Grade 12
Reading Level Grade 6
Genre Social Studies
Copyright 2013
Publisher Lerner Publishing Group
Imprint Twenty-First Century Books ™
Language English
Number of Pages 64
Publication Date 2014-08-01
Reading Counts! Level 6.6
Text Type Informational/Explanatory
BISACS JNF036050, JNF036000, JNF036020
Dewey 781.64089'68073
Graphics Full-color illustrations
Dimensions 9.75 x 9.75
Lexile 970
Features Awards, Bibliography/further reading, Glossary, Index, Reviewed, Sidebars, Source notes, Table of contents, Teaching Guides, Timeline, and eSource

Lerner eSource™ offers free digital teaching and learning resources, including Common Core State Standards (CCSS) teaching guides. These guides, created by classroom teachers, offer short lessons and writing exercises that give students specific instruction and practice using Common Core skills and strategies. Lerner eSource also provides additional resources including online activities, downloadable/printable graphic organizers, and additional educational materials that would also support Common Core instruction. Download, share, pin, print, and save as many of these free resources as you like!

American Music Milestones

This high-interest series looks at key musical landscapes in American music. Each book takes a peek at the key events, performers, albums, and songs in the evolution of a specific musical genre. View available downloads →

Awards

  • Booklist Top 10 Series Nonfiction, Winner, 2013

Reviews

School Library Journal, Series Made Simple

“From bluegrass to blue-eyed soul and bubblegum pop to hip-hop, readers discover the exciting evolution of music in America…. This informative set will be useful for reports and of high interest to reluctant readers.” —School Library Journal, Series Made Simple