September 1, 2026 by Beach Lane Books (Simon and Schuster)
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
Amelia's friend, Madge, from Muffled is a keen and talented trombone player who hopes to one day play for the Boston Pops. Her mother, who died in a car accident when she was one, was also a musician, so Madge's Oma gets sentimental when Madge's ambitions are discussed. Now that sixth grade is starting, both Amelia and Madge try out for Jazz Notes, a group that has more 7th and 8th graders in it. Madge makes it; Amelia does not. Since the fantastic new librarian, Ms. Madias, has shared with students that a local group, Liberty Guardians, is contesting some of the titles in the library, especially those with underrepresented characters, Amelia isn't too upset. Instead, she dedicates herself to a group of students fighting to keep titles in the library and spreading awareness about the issue and works closely with Rhonda, who is her new "bestie". Madge struggles with band; she was the best trombone player in fifth grade, but doesn't have the improvisation technique that older students who have taken private lesson have developed. Madge likes hanging out with the older kids in the band, and even has an awkward moment with Zan, an 8th grader on whom she has a crush. Madge is struggling a little in other areas; it's hard to practice an hour a day and keep up with homework, she knows that her grandmother struggles to take care of her, and she wants to know something about her father, whom she has never known. She and Amelia and increasingly at odds, with Amelia, who has sound sensitivity, wanting to speak up in support of banned books and not being happy when Madge assumes that she will stay quiet. When Ms. Madias' job is on the line, will the girls be able to work together to save the library?
Strengths: This is a timely book in a fraught age, where librarians do lose their jobs and books are under attack in many areas. What I loved about this, though, was the depiction of a school band. Tryouts, solos, jockeying for seats-- this was all big stuff for me from 5th grade on, and is rarely depicted in middle grade novels. The friendship difficulties will be intriguing to middle school readers, who love to see how other people navigate difficult times with friends. I love Oma, and the fact that she was trying her best to raise her granddaughter. It was interesting to see a continuation of Amelia's story from Madge's perspective.
Weaknesses: As important an issue as this is, my students have not picked up the books on this subject. Maybe we are just really fortunate that the issue hasn't yet touched our library? (Not that it is an issue in this book, but they also haven't picked up books about dress code enforcement, because we don't have a dress code.)It did seem a bit odd to me that Ms. Madias' found time to knit at work. It would be cool to do that, but it wouldn't work in my day!
What I really think: This is a good choice for readers who enjoyed like Swartz's Same Page, Levithan's The Answer in the Pages, Gratz' Ban This Book, Varnes' Property of the Rebel Librarian, Yang's Finally Seen, Levy's Not Another Banned Book, and King's Attack of the Black Rectangles. Guess I shouldn't have gotten rid of Hentoff's 1982 The Day They Came to Arrest the Book. I would definitely love to read Betty Miles' 1980 Maudie and Me and the Dirty Book again!
Strengths: This is a timely book in a fraught age, where librarians do lose their jobs and books are under attack in many areas. What I loved about this, though, was the depiction of a school band. Tryouts, solos, jockeying for seats-- this was all big stuff for me from 5th grade on, and is rarely depicted in middle grade novels. The friendship difficulties will be intriguing to middle school readers, who love to see how other people navigate difficult times with friends. I love Oma, and the fact that she was trying her best to raise her granddaughter. It was interesting to see a continuation of Amelia's story from Madge's perspective.
Weaknesses: As important an issue as this is, my students have not picked up the books on this subject. Maybe we are just really fortunate that the issue hasn't yet touched our library? (Not that it is an issue in this book, but they also haven't picked up books about dress code enforcement, because we don't have a dress code.)It did seem a bit odd to me that Ms. Madias' found time to knit at work. It would be cool to do that, but it wouldn't work in my day!
What I really think: This is a good choice for readers who enjoyed like Swartz's Same Page, Levithan's The Answer in the Pages, Gratz' Ban This Book, Varnes' Property of the Rebel Librarian, Yang's Finally Seen, Levy's Not Another Banned Book, and King's Attack of the Black Rectangles. Guess I shouldn't have gotten rid of Hentoff's 1982 The Day They Came to Arrest the Book. I would definitely love to read Betty Miles' 1980 Maudie and Me and the Dirty Book again!
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