Book excerpt: Make music come alive for students in grades 5 and up with American Popular Music! This 96-page book explores how the roots of American music began and developed. From European musical traditions in the seventeenth century to African American music today, this book uncovers a foundation and appreciation of AmericaÕs music. It features genres such as ragtime, blues, Dixieland, swing, big band, musical theater, folk, country western, rock and roll, disco, funk, punk, rap, alternative, and contemporary Christian.