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(2)
4-6
Previously homeschooled eleven-year-old Millie Nakakura wants nothing more than to make friends at her new arts school. Her parents, however, think friends are just a distraction from earning a flute scholarship, despite Millie's distaste for classical music and her apathy for the instrument. After secretly joining an afterschool club for Japanese pop music fans, Millie inadvertently becomes its vice president, as she is the only other member. An opportunity to gain new members arises when the club president decides to form a cover band, but Millie's failing grades (stemming from her struggles with the transition from homeschool) and tensions among members threaten to break up the band before it has even had a chance to perform. In this fish-out-of-water story, Millie learns about friendships and unspoken rules of student life. Bowman also creates a diverse cast of four distinct supporting characters, all with their own troubles. Told from Millie's point of view, the story brings readers close to her feelings as she balances appeasing her parents' wishes and making herself proud as a student and as a friend.
(4)
K-3
Making Music series.
These introductions to key instruments in each family border on simplistic (e.g., "a trumpeter pulls the water key to let water out"), but they have attractive photos that are well labeled, and the layout is uncluttered and accessible. In addition to covering basic parts, techniques, and historical background, each book concludes with a profile of a well-known performer. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Making Music titles: Drums, Flute, Guitar, Piano, Trumpet, and Violin.
32 pp.
| Tradewind
| February, 2012
|
TradeISBN 978-1-896580-57-9$16.95
(4)
K-3
Illustrated by
Pulak Biswas.
After a flood kills her parents, Chandra lives with her cruel uncle. One day, she hears the music of her mother's flute, and magical things start happening. Another flood hits, and Chandra's swept away, only to find the magic flute--and a loving family. Though Biswas's black and color-washed illustrations are murky, they portray both the anguish and hope in Gilmore's mystical story.
40 pp.
| Lerner
| September, 2010
|
LibraryISBN 978-0-7613-5420-8$27.93
(3)
4-6
Ready to Make Music series.
Budding musicians contemplating lessons may find these thorough introductions useful in helping to choose which instrument to study. Topics include styles of music and famous virtuosos. In addition, diligent practice is encouraged and useful quizes to determine if the instrument is "right for you" are appended. Many photos of smiling children and professional players are included. Reading list, websites. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Ready to Make Music titles: Is the Flute for You?, Is the Guitar for You?, Is the Trumpet for You?, and Is the Violin for You?
32 pp.
| Star Bright
| April, 2008
|
TradeISBN 978-1-59572-058-0$17.95
(4)
K-3
This adaptation of Mozart's Magic Flute opera story is difficult to follow, entangled as it is by its plot. More effective are the colorfully painted paper collage illustrations showing doll-like characters that dance through the pages, offering a visual interpretation of the complex and twisting love fantasy.
127 pp.
| Barefoot
| July, 2008
|
TradeISBN 978-1-84686-114-7$16.99
(2)
4-6
Illustrated by
Helen Cann.
Chinese bamboo flautist Guo Yue offers a fictionalized account of his boyhood in Beijing. Written with a well-judged level of detail, the first-person narration is authentic in its allegiance to a child's view. The Red Guards' arrival provides larger context without sacrificing the book's intimate perspective. Tidy line and watercolor paintings sit well in the unfussy but elegant design.
Reviewer: Roger Sutton
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
September, 2008
40 pp.
| Candlewick
| February, 2007
|
TradeISBN 978-0-7636-3078-2$15.99
(4)
K-3
Egg Dimity, "shy and timid as a field mouse," lives in an egg-carton caravan with her more outgoing circus-acrobat family. When her troublemaker brother, Humpty, takes his well-documented fall (while spray-painting his name on a wall), reticent Dimity finds her voice and rescues him. Graham's fancifully detailed watercolor and ink illustrations are the main attraction of this rather diffuse tale.
32 pp.
| Heinemann
| September, 2006
|
LibraryISBN 1-4034-8187-3$28.21
(4)
4-6
Learning Musical Instruments series.
Operating on the theme that "music brings people together," these volumes introduce the histories, styles, technical details, and famous players of various musical instruments. The unfocused and sometimes redundant narratives wander, but instrument diagrams are concise and useful. "Recordings to Listen To" suggests particular versions of pieces for that instrument in different genres (usually classical, jazz, and one or two others). Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Learning Musical Instruments titles: Should I Play the Flute?, Should I Play the Piano?, Should I Play the Drums?, Should I Play the Trumpet?, Should I Play the Clarinet?, Should I Play the Guitar?, and Should I Play the Violin?
119 pp.
| Pleasant
| September, 1999
|
TradeISBN 1-56247-847-8$$9.95
|
PaperISBN 1-56247-752-8$$5.95
(3)
4-6
Irritated by and jealous of her best friend's new pal, Jenna enters a music competition with sixth-grade outcast Heather. The pair's daily flute practice helps Jenna battle her stage fright and gives her a glimpse into Heather's troubled home life. The story and writing are formulaic, but the protagonist is likable and characterizations push beyond narrow, good guy/bad guy labels.
32 pp.
| Dutton
| December, 1999
|
TradeISBN 0-525-46314-3$$15.99
(4)
K-3
Illustrated by
Lyn Gilbert.
The flute Lindiwe's mother gives her makes a horrible noise, so Lindiwe fills it with the songs of six African birds, including a hoopoe, a hornbill, and a Paradise flycatcher. Although the rounded, black-outlined acrylic illustrations are sometimes awkward, the portraits of the birds and other small African animals are quite recognizable.