Like, he actually, repeatedly says out loud that he does not want friends. Before long he’s joined by other musicians, and while they sound great and really seem to click, Terence repeatedly makes it clear that this is just a band-he’s not looking for friends at Franklin. Terence is just a bit of a music snob, something that really comes to light as he auditions people for his band. Terence, who plays bass, joins the school jazz band, but they’re not up to his standards, so he bails, searching instead to form his own band. There’s no money anymore for the private school tuition and Terence’s dad is in rough shape, debilitated by grief and, understandably, not doing the greatest job parenting or helping Terence grieve or adjust to his new school. Minneapolis teen Terence has spent a few years attending an arts school, but now is at Franklin Middle School, a public school, after his mom died and he and his father moved across town. The cover, plot, and deeper issues the story touches on all make this appealing for both fans of middle grade and fans of younger YA. While this is about 8th graders, and could easily be a YA title with not much tweaking, kids 10 and up could comfortably read this book. There’s a lot to like about this book, but the major thing that stands out to me is this: this is a great book for reluctant/struggling readers who want something that looks/feels “older” than they might normally read. From the acclaimed author of Brooklyn, Burning and Guy in Real Life comes a fresh, funny, genuine novel about enjoying life beyond the opening act. The teen sets out to build a rock band and, in the process, make a few friends. Luckily, Terence knows a universal one: music.
In eighth grade, he’s forced to transfer from a private arts school to a public school, where the kids seemingly speak a different language. Terence Kato is a prodigy bass player, but he’s determined to finish middle school on a high note.
Great music and great friendships aren’t always in harmony.
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