Hi everyone, are you in the mood for some musical tween reads? Well, today’s post will give you a booklist of specially curated tween reads just for you music lovers out there!! So, if you want to find out what they are, you know what to do next…
This first title, Where in the world by Simon French (Little Hare Books; 2002) is a story set in Australia about an ordinary boy with an extraordinary talent for music. Ari has had to leave his grandfather, Opa, behind while his family moves to Australia after a tragic loss of a parent. Despite these changes, Ari never forgets that music means more than getting the notes right. Music not only makes things happen in the present, it also helps him remember the past. This is an unforgettable story about finding your place in the world. This beautifully written story by Simon French deals with how a young child views the loss of a parent amidst growing up with a life filled with music. If you are after a poignant read with a musical flavour, then this is one for you.
This next one, Echo: a novel by Pam Munoz Ryan (Scholastic Press; 2015) is a mysterious and magical read. This begins with young Oto who meets three mysterious sisters and suddenly finds himself entwined in a puzzling quest, involving a prophecy, a promise, and a harmonica. Decades later, Friedrich in Germany, Mike in Pennsylvania, and Ivy in California each, in turn, become interwoven with the very same harmonica. They face daunting challenges and are ultimately pulled by the invisible thread of a destiny, their suspenseful solo stories converge into an orchestral crescendo. Another enchanting musical story with fantasy elements that intricately weave the three children’s stories into an uplifting masterpiece. It is not surprising that this amazing read was nominated for the Newbery Medal in 2016!
The next few are stories I went looking for to complete this booklist and they did not disappoint.
In Karina Yan Glaser’s latest book, A duet for home (Clarion Books; 2022) we meet a pair of young children who find themselves in a homeless shelter. June is still coming to terms with her new home, while Tyrrell, who has been at Huey house for three years, shows June the good things about living there: friendship, hot meals, and a classical musician whose practice they can hear through the windows. But as June finally realises how Huey House could be the right place for her family, a new government policy begins to push families out before they are ready. I found this gorgeous read living past all of my expectations. Karina Yan Glaser has created another masterpiece which inspires and informs us to be aware of the strength of friendship and courage, and the different types of family we create for ourselves. The dual voices of June and Tyrell play a perfect symphony in delivering this amazing story!! .
This next title, I am drums by Mike Grosso (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt; 2016)is all about a young girl who dreams of playing drums. Sam knows she wants to be a drummer. What she doesn’t know is: how to afford a drum kit, why her parents argue all the time, why the budget for her school music’s program is cut. Sam would do just about anything to play the drums, but when she starts hiding the truth to take secret drum lessons, is the cost of chasing her dreams too high? I found this a truly delightful read!! For anyone interested in drums this is perfect!! Since I don’t have any knowledge about drums but an understanding of music this was quite an educational and fascinating read!! The musical elements, details of the drum classes and even the school scenes are expertly crafted and interwoven into the family dynamics of Sam’s life..
My last read, Searching for Lottie by Susan L. Ross (Holiday House; 2019)takes the reader from present day to World War Two Europe. Twelve-year-old Charlie’s great aunt Lottie was once a young and talented violin soloist in Europe. But Lotti’s life, once so full of promise, was upended by the Nazi’s at the start of World War Two – and no one ever heard from her again. When Charlie decides to research Lottie’s life for a school project, Charlie’s mom gently warns her not to be too optimistic that she’ll discover anything new about Lottie’s fate. Lottie was Jewish, and almost certainly perished in the Holocaust. But the more Charlie digs into her family’s past, the more confusing Lottie’s story becomes. A long-lost cousin, a mysterious necklace, an old-diary, a beloved grandmother, and a surprising helping hand from her brother, Jake, all lead Charlie to a new truth about her namesake – and her own musical path – in this intriguing, intergenerational mystery. I actually love these kinds of mysteries. Filled with family secrets, school dramas and some funny scenes thrown in, this story takes the reader on an unforgettable journey from beginning to end.
So there you have a small selection of musical tween reads. If you have read any others, I’d love to hear from you!!
Stay safe and keep reading
Miss Mahee
Miss Mahee's Library of Reads 