The Boy Who Was Saved By Jazz

The Boy Who Was Saved by Jazz follows the tale of Robert, a young boy from small-town Saskatchewan, who spends his childhood living with his grandparents after his mother left him. Despite never meeting his father, Robert feels him through the channel of ghostly advice letters. Robert finds an ancient pump organ, and his interest in music paves the way to learning secrets about his family, like his Communist grandfather and the true fate of his father. Along the way, Robert comes to accept his bisexuality, Métis heritage, and vivid imagination. This coming-of-age novel addresses themes of self-discovery and belonging. The novel’s focus on identity, family, and cultural heritage can be used to address the theme of belonging and self-discovery in English language arts and social studies lessons. Robert’s Métis identity also provides an opportunity to include Indigenous voices in line with the curriculum’s emphasis on learning about various cultures and histories. The book’s historical context and exposition of social issues can also be integrated into social studies lessons to foster critical thinking and empathy in students.