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pershie13's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
My childhood self would have given this book five stars every time I read it...which was at least three or four times in middle school. As a horn player myself, I loved to see someone along a similar life path to me represented in a book, and while Elsie and I were quite different, I loved this story and related to her in many ways. I loved watching her experience marching band despite not wanting to be involved in an ensemble where she had to play a new instrument or step outside of the orchestral realm. I enjoyed the experiences and emotions that the band went through, individually and collectively, throughout the season. And I loved the themes of friendship and growth that bloomed in this coming-of-age story. When I read this as a middle schooler, I had no experience in marching band but knew the joy that playing in a concert group could bring. Now, after playing in concert groups for over 10 years and experiencing two years of college marching band, I can appreciate this middle grade book in a new way and think back to some of my memories as a band kid, both as a concert player and as the new kid in a college marching band as one of very few players with no experience on mellophone or marching drill. I appreciate what marching band gave me in terms of section bonding and forming lifelong relationships with my band mates, and some of those memories came flooding back while reading this book. It may be a middle grade book intended for a much younger audience than a master's student long done with marching band, but I enjoyed it just as much as I did as I did as a teenager - just with a new perspective and some incredible memories. I love this book so much and am glad that I was able to enjoy it again after all these years.
Content Warnings
Minor: Injury/Injury detail and Toxic friendship
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