# Playing at the Border: A Story of Yo-Yo Ma - Hardcover

by **Joanna Ho** (Author), **Teresa Martinez** (Illustrator)

**The _New York Times_ bestselling author of _Eyes That Kiss in the Corners_, Joanna Ho, delivers a poignant picture book biography about the musician Yo-Yo Ma, immigration, and using music to build bridges.**

**Winner of the Ezra Jack Keats Award Honor \* Featured in Book Riot's Must Read September 2021 List**

**"By examining the life of Ma, whose story resonates with courage, persistence, and unity, Ho inspires readers to break barriers of their own." --_Horn Book_ (starred review)**

**"Everyone can benefit from Ho's message of music bringing calm and peace to the world." --_Booklist_**

**"Hopeful and lovely." _--Kirkus_**

**"An ambitious portrait of a storied humanitarian with a clear message of advocacy." --_Publishers Weekly_**

Joanna Ho's lyrical writing and Teresa Martinez's vibrant art weave together to tell an inspiring story of Yo-Yo Ma, who challenges conventions, expectations, and beliefs in order to build bridges to unite communities, people, and cultures. A beautiful picture book biography to enjoy and share in the home and the classroom.

Before Yo-Yo Ma became one of the most renowned and celebrated cellists, he wanted to play the double bass. But it was too big for his four-year-old hands. Over time, Ma honed his amazing talent, and his music became a reflection of his own life between borders, cultures, disciplines, and generations.

Since then, he has recorded over a hundred albums, won nineteen Grammy Awards, performed for eight American presidents, and received the National Medal of the Arts and the Presidential Medal of Freedom, just to name a few accomplishments.

Staying true to himself, Yo-Yo Ma performed at the US-Mexico border at the Rio Grande on April 13, 2019, as part of his multi-continent "Bach Project" tour to prove a point--through music, we can build bridges rather than walls between different cultures.

**Number of Pages:** 40

**Dimensions:** 0.5 x 10.1 x 10.2 IN

**Illustrated:** Yes

**Publication Date:** September 28, 2021

**Award:** Ezra Jack Keats Book Award (2022)

**Accelerated Reader:**

**Quiz Name:** Playing at the Border: A Story of Yo-Yo Ma

**Interest Level:** Lower Grades, K-3

**Reading Level:** 6.6

**Point Value:** 0.5

## Details

- **Price:** 19.99 USD
- **Vendor:** Books by splitShops
- **Type:** Books
- **Tags:** Books by splitShops, Shopify Collective

## Variants

| Variant | Price | Available |
|---------|-------|-----------|
| Default Title | 19.99 USD | In stock |

## Images

- Playing at the Border: A Story of Yo-Yo Ma - Hardcover

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> Updated: 2026-07-21