The Train/Subway

The train, or subway, is the setting for the majority of the book including the chapters "Clayton Byrd Goes Underground," "Every Rider, Clap Your Hands," "Show Your Love," "Beat Boys," "The Opposite of Bluesman," "Chasing the Beats," "What He Told Himself," "In the Midst of the Swarm," "In Search of the Bluesmen," "Going Down," and part of "Without a Warning and Midnight Jam." With the exception of "Without a Warning," all of the other chapters take place on a single day. Williams-Garcia first introduces the train in "Midnight Jam" when Cool Papa and Clayton ride from Washington Square Park to Clayton’s home in Queens. When Clayton decides to run away from home, he takes the subway in "Clayton Byrd Goes Underground to find the Bluesmen," figuring he can join them and play the blues full time. Eventually his time on the train ends in Without...