AMY NATHAN's Web Site WELCOME!

To contact author AMY NATHAN:
amynbooks@gmail.com

Amy Nathan's books are available from online booksellers and can be ordered from any bookstore.

"An inspirational guide. . . . Throughout, the emphasis is on the pleasure that can come from making music, whatever one's skill level. Making music isn't just for professionals, according to this guide that aims to make the joys of playing and singing accessible to adults. . . . In this encouraging, engaging volume, she quickly dispels the notion that being musical requires innate talent or years of rigorous training that must begin in childhood." — KIRKUS Reviews on MAKING TIME FOR MAKING MUSIC

Amy Nathan Music Webinars (143 KB)

"Almost everything a parent needs to know about the challenges and rewards of children’s music lessons. . . . highly recommended source of advice and solace for anyone guiding a young musician’s life."
— KIRKUS Reviews

“With clarity and passion, Amy Nathan portrays the struggle of everyday citizens to end racial segregation in Baltimore. This compelling history, for and about young people, is simple but profound like freedom itself.”
--Taylor Branch, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of the trilogy America in the King Years.

YANKEE DOODLE GALS ". . . really sparkles when Nathan tells the stories of individual WASPs. Dozens of memorable black-and-white photographs showing the WASPs at work and play help round out this absorbing look at a group of gusty women who were ahead of their time." Wahington Post

MUSIC ADVICE ARTICLES by Amy Nathan (175 KB)

Articles that share advice from those who are featured in her music books from Oxford University Press.

“What a great book to have in a studio or rehearsal room, just waiting for young musicians to pick up and explore. Fascinating bits of advice from both professionals and student musicians fill every page.”
-- American Music Teacher

". . . filled with practical advice about how to find time to practice, how to calm down before playing in public, and how to handle that chatterbox who sits behind you at rehearsal."
-- The New York Times

"An excellent book to introduce young musicians to those who have traveled the path before them....An ideal gift...for any orchestra buff."
-- American Music Teacher

"An upbeat title that should find its way into every core music collection."
-- Center for Children's Books

"Young dancers will find inspiration in this collection of pros' tales... the subjects share the challenges they encountered in their rise to success."
--Dance Teacher magazine

"...a chatty and informative look at 16 dancers, their childhoods, their training and their professional lives."
--Kirkus Reviews

"Nathan has a knack for choosing genuinely original and informative aspects of the dancers' lives, and chapters are bedecked with sidebar tidbits."
--Center for Children's Books

"Meet the Dancers is a perfectly wonderful book for anyone who wants to understand why pursuing a career in dance is so demanding and rewarding."
--Amanda McKerrow, Former Principal Dancer, American Ballet Theatre

“Amy Nathan's book describes the courageous struggle by blacks and whites to end discrimination in the park, the city and the nation. Youths who read this book will walk away with a clearer understanding of segregation and the valiant Americans who fought against this injustice.”
--Debra Newman Ham, Professor of History, Morgan State University

"A profoundly moving tribute to the intrepid unsung heroes who risked their lives to help bring an end to Baltimore’s Jim Crow Era. . . . the author seamlessly interweaves eyewitness accounts of the long effort to desegregate Gwynn Oak with descriptions of what was simultaneously transpiring elsewhere around the country in the Civil Rights Movement. "
--Kam Williams, syndicated columnist

“Round And Round Together tells the inspiring story of how a generation of college and high school students provided the energy and enthusiasm that ended racial segregation in Baltimore’s Gwynn Oak Amusement Park and changed the direction of Maryland’s history.”
--James Henretta, Professor Emeritus, University of Maryland

"Nathan drew on the experiences of 265 parents and educators for this book of advice, emotional support, and important reminders of why the pursuit of music is worth the sacrifice."
—Peter Dobrin, Philadelphia Inquirer/ Philly.com

“. . . any music parent will find stories and advice that will resonate with them in this book. The sidebars and stories from professional musicians were particularly delightful . . . could also be considered essential reading for any music teacher. . . So whether you are a music parent (struggling or otherwise) or an educator who has found oneself counseling a frustrated music parent, this book is worthy of a place on your bookshelf!”
— American Music Teacher Magazine

“An important read for every family engaged in music studies: a delightful collection of ideas and moving accounts from loving, dedicated parents.”
— Aaron P. Dworkin, President, The Sphinx Organization

“I'm thrilled that Amy Nathan has provided such an encyclopedic guide. Now I can refer parents who ask about starting their kids in music to this thoughtful, balanced conversation among so many parents who have been there.”
— Theodore Wiprud, Vice President of Education, New York Philharmonic

TO BUY BOOKS, use this link to find an independent bookseller who can order ANY book you might want....

"An excellent book to introduce young musicians to those who have traveled the path before them....An ideal gift...for any orchestra buff."
-- American Music Teacher

"An upbeat title that should find its way into every core music collection."
-- Center for Children's Books

"Perfectly pitched to its target elementary audience . . . a good choice for elementary classrooms as part of a Civil Rights unit. A winner." KIRKUS Discoveries

PBS's Judy Woodruff on
COUNT ON US:
"With vivid detail, Amy Nathan paints a picture that puts women where they belong -- not on the sidelines, but at the center of our nation's history. This fascinating book is for everyone who is interested in the American military, or in American women."

AMY NATHAN is an award-winning author of books for young people & adults on music, civil rights, women's history, dance — and more!
For each book, CLICK on the TITLE in the LIST to the right444448

TOGETHER "An ambitious account of the legacies of Plessy and Ferguson . . . Undeniably timely and representative of the necessary work ahead." —Kirkus Reviews

TOGETHER: "Past and present are intertwined to provide a reflective space about race in America and the decisive action of advocates who fought and continue to fight for equal civil rights." — School Library Journal

WEBINAR ON USING TOGETHER WITH STUDENTS

WEBINAR for Teachers on TOGETHER

Video about TOGETHER

Video on TOGETHER with Keith Plessy and Phoebe Ferguson, at Community Book Center, New Orleans.

Kirkus Review of "A Ride to Remember"

A RIDE TO REMEMBER: One of best picture books of 2020—BROWN BOOKSHELF

"Delivers a beautiful and tender message about equality from the very first page."

—Kirkus Reviews / Star Review

"A Ride to Remember and Round & Round Together are both invaluable tools for engaging in challenging conversations about our nation and state's history. Now more than ever, Americans would be well served to acknowledge our fraught past and apply those lessons as we navigate another divisive time. The youth especially will need this knowledge and accompanying resources, as they will be the leaders who shape what values define our country for years to come." -- David Armenti, Maryland Historical Magazine, 2020

REVIEW of A RIDE TO REMEMBER and ROUND AND ROUND TOGETHER in Maryland Historical Magazine, 2020. (352 KB)

KIRKUS REVIEWS link on MAKING TIME FOR MAKING MUSIC

"An inspirational guide."

OpEd on MAKING TIME FOR MAKING MUSIC

"Don't fall for the myth that you 'can't sing'"

NPR interview with AMY NATHAN on NYC's WNYC midday program, "All of It"

Interview starts at MINUTE 39 and lasts for 10 minutes

KIRKUS REVIEWS on ROUND AND ROUND TOGETHER

"A snapshot of the civil-rights movement in one city provides insight into the important role of individual communities as change moved through the country." — Kirkus Reviews

Huffington Post on the NEW, UPDATED: YANKEE DOODLE GALS

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AMERICAN MUSIC TEACHER Review of THE YOUNG MUSICIAN'S SURVIVAL GUIDE

KIRKUS REVIEWS on TAKE A SEAT—MAKE A STAND

KIRKUS REVIEWS on MEET THE DANCERS

WASHINGTON POST link on MAKING TIME FOR MAKING MUSIC

"MUSIC IS WAY TOO FUN TO LEAVE TO THE PROS"

KIRKUS review of THE MUSIC PARENTS' SURVIVAL GUIDE

"Almost everything a parent needs to know about the challenges and rewards of children's music lessons." — Kirkus Reviews

Blog post on music parenting's surprise benefits!

NPR interview with Amy Nathan and Civil Rights hero, Sarah Keys Evans, whose story is told in Amy Nathan's book: TAKE A SEAT--MAKE A STAND

Involving Kids in Music: A Lifelong Gift - Oxford University Presss Music Blog