Playing Through the Turnaround

Starred review from October 17, 2022
In this poignant novel by Larsen (Ho Ho Homework), a middle school jazz band uses artistic activism to fight for a say in their school’s education budget spending decisions. Connor U. Eubanks Middle School eighth graders Jake, Cassie, Lily, Mac, and Nick, each wrestling with myriad interpersonal challenges, “make the mad go away” in Jazz Lab, an audition-only music elective. Playing jazz helps them communicate things they can’t find the words for, but a fiscally conservative school board member alludes to budget cuts and their beloved mentor unexpectedly quits, jeopardizing Jazz Lab. When they learn that other electives are also on the chopping block, the musicians—with the help of rebellious troublemaking classmate Quagmire—resolve to use their instruments, and their voices, to persuade the adults to listen to their needs. Through emotionally charged, alternating present-tense perspectives and expertly developed characters, the narrative eschews easy answers in this powerful portrayal of a ragtag group of students coming together to accomplish a common goal. Larsen elevates this optimistic, community-focused tale by mimicking jazz’s “back-and-forth” conversational style to parallel the listening and response that effective activism requires. Characters follow a white default. Ages 8–12. Agent: Erin Murphy, Erin Murphy Literary.

October 15, 2022
Grades 5-8 Upper-middle-grade readers with a passion for music will easily find a character to relate to in this mutli-POV novel by Larsen. The kids of the jazz band--a half dozen students who each narrate their own short chapters throughout the book--are distraught when their elderly teacher quits out of the blue. Without easy answers and with a school board election on the calendar, they assume budget cuts are to blame and unite the other kids, who have lost their extra curriculars, in protest. Full of musical joy, mischief, complicated family dynamics, and unexpected camaraderie, this quick read is ideal for those looking for something outside the traditional band-camp narrative. However, because of the multiple narrators (with no clear race or ethnicity assigned), some character arcs feel unresolved, and ultimately, the story behind their teacher's absence is so far off from their assumptions that their protests tower over the emotional valley of the story. With fast-paced, voice-driven chapters and a musical flair, this is perfect for readers of Carrie Firestone's Dress Coded (2020) and Maleeha Siddiqui's Barakah Beats (2021).

COPYRIGHT(2022) Booklist, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

September 1, 2022
Eighth graders Jake, Cassie, Lily, Nick, and Mac all face very different, complicated struggles, but each has found comfort and confidence in a musical instrument and now in one another in a special class at their Upstate New York middle school. "Any dumb thing that might have happened before this doesn't matter anymore, because it's a good day whenever it's Jazz Lab day." The third-person-omniscient narrative alternates among the perspectives of these five characters plus one more: a detached, defiant, and chronically misunderstood student known as Quagmire. As their stories knit together and unforeseen circumstances threaten the future of Jazz Lab, these students find themselves at risk of losing what they depend on to propel them through their daily challenges. Each distinctly developed character has an engaging story and voice. As they plot to save Jazz Lab (and ultimately many other small electives and activities), the novel's pacing heightens and intensifies. Their struggle to make their position heard by the cast of outrageously obtuse adults both at home and at school -- with a few effective exceptions -- creates the perfect amount of tension to draw readers in to a funny, sad, and heartwarming story that celebrates the importance of independence, belonging, and the arts. Julie Roach

(Copyright 2022 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

Starred review from August 15, 2022
In an effort to get grown-ups to listen to them, middle schoolers do something extraordinary. So does Larsen, in her debut--by introducing characters so distinct and alive that each sparkles and yet becomes much more as they together tackle the challenging task of asserting their right to a say in their own educations. Drawn together by their common devotion to twice-weekly Jazz Lab, five eighth grade musicians are dismayed when grizzled, legendary adviser Mr. Lewis is replaced by random subs as rumors of budget cuts swirl. Popular efforts to drum up signatures for a petition lead to disturbing revelations that cuts have been quietly paring away elective activities for years. But finding a bundle of signed petitions chucked in the garbage unread and seeing students' concerns waved off by the school board really motivate the quintet. Enter professional problem student Quentin "Quagmire" Tiarello, bringing his gift for alienating powers that be, a wonderful ongoing duel with a certain English teacher who (to his discomfiture) really sees him, and a surprising level of technical savvy with light and sound boards--all of which prove invaluable in setting up an inspired, foot-stomping, showstopping, thoroughly unauthorized musical climax. Does it create magically sweeping changes? Maybe not...but more people join the youths in listening to one another, and that's a worthy result. Mr. Lewis' reappearance adds a final sweet, poignant note. Main characters read White; names cue ethnic diversity in the supporting cast. A magnificent medley of cogent themes and memorable moments. (Fiction. 10-14)

COPYRIGHT(2022) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

July 1, 2022
Eighth graders Jake, Cassie, Lily, Nick, and Mac all face very different, complicated struggles, but each has found comfort and confidence in a musical instrument and now in one another in a special class at their Upstate New York middle school. "Any dumb thing that might have happened before this doesn't matter anymore, because it's a good day whenever it's Jazz Lab day." The third-person-omniscient narrative alternates among the perspectives of these five characters plus one more: a detached, defiant, and chronically misunderstood student known as Quagmire. As their stories knit together and unforeseen circumstances threaten the future of Jazz Lab, these students find themselves at risk of losing what they depend on to propel them through their daily challenges. Each distinctly developed character has an engaging story and voice. As they plot to save Jazz Lab (and ultimately many other small electives and activities), the novel's pacing heightens and intensifies. Their struggle to make their position heard by the cast of outrageously obtuse adults both at home and at school -- with a few effective exceptions -- creates the perfect amount of tension to draw readers in to a funny, sad, and heartwarming story that celebrates the importance of independence, belonging, and the arts.

(Copyright 2022 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)