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mariahistryingtoread's review
5.0
I have trouble with graphic novels as I feel like a lot of them end up sacrificing character building because of the nature of the format. Graphic novels aren't that long and they don't have nearly as many words to tell a story given that, barring special cases, the majority are going to be largely visually driven. Obviously, I know that graphic novels are supposed to rely on the pictures more than the words to convey a story, but that doesn't stop me from wanting more words even if I acknowledge that it makes sense that there aren't more.
I did not have that problem with Scout Is Not A Band Kid. It was a delight from start to finish. I'm a bit biased because my middle school experience was extraordinarily similar in feel if not circumstance to Scout's. I didn't join band, I didn't lose my mom, and all of my friends were big old nerds in their own right. However, I still felt a kinship with Scout, who was stretched thin between who she once was and who she was becoming.
Losing friends is hard. Choosing to cut them loose particularly when they once were so supportive and you shared so much together is even harder; how do you reconcile simply not being compatible friends wise when you're so young? You can love someone to pieces and not be good for one another. It's scary to realize you have to actively hold yourself accountable to making good choices and maintaining your integrity.
I loved the casual inclusion of different gender identities. I liked the way Armstrong wove it in through the usage of little RPG-esque stats boxes. It was a quick way to inform the audience while preserving a kind of immersion in-story. I also liked that it related to the show Scout loved so much.
The book as a whole just made me super nostalgic. I remember being a little obsessed weirdo afraid of change. It’s funny how insignificant so much of it is now; literally nothing I thought was important matters any more. And I don’t even remember half of it.
Taking myself out of the adult perspective for a second, I think this will definitely be relatable for kids today. The themes are relevant outside of specific, individual experience. That being said, even if you don’t relate on any level - maybe you were secure in yourself and uber popular or not interested in ‘nerd’ culture - it’s still a fun, enjoyable story.
The story relies heavily on you buying into both Merrin and Scout’s point of view and I think Armstrong did a great job in creating realistic friction without demonizing either kid for having an alternate viewpoint or values. It was all the sweeter when the two finally became friends.
If you are in need of a pick-me-up this is the read for you.
I did not have that problem with Scout Is Not A Band Kid. It was a delight from start to finish. I'm a bit biased because my middle school experience was extraordinarily similar in feel if not circumstance to Scout's. I didn't join band, I didn't lose my mom, and all of my friends were big old nerds in their own right. However, I still felt a kinship with Scout, who was stretched thin between who she once was and who she was becoming.
Losing friends is hard. Choosing to cut them loose particularly when they once were so supportive and you shared so much together is even harder; how do you reconcile simply not being compatible friends wise when you're so young? You can love someone to pieces and not be good for one another. It's scary to realize you have to actively hold yourself accountable to making good choices and maintaining your integrity.
I loved the casual inclusion of different gender identities. I liked the way Armstrong wove it in through the usage of little RPG-esque stats boxes. It was a quick way to inform the audience while preserving a kind of immersion in-story. I also liked that it related to the show Scout loved so much.
The book as a whole just made me super nostalgic. I remember being a little obsessed weirdo afraid of change. It’s funny how insignificant so much of it is now; literally nothing I thought was important matters any more. And I don’t even remember half of it.
Taking myself out of the adult perspective for a second, I think this will definitely be relatable for kids today. The themes are relevant outside of specific, individual experience. That being said, even if you don’t relate on any level - maybe you were secure in yourself and uber popular or not interested in ‘nerd’ culture - it’s still a fun, enjoyable story.
The story relies heavily on you buying into both Merrin and Scout’s point of view and I think Armstrong did a great job in creating realistic friction without demonizing either kid for having an alternate viewpoint or values. It was all the sweeter when the two finally became friends.
If you are in need of a pick-me-up this is the read for you.
mehsi's review
5.0
I received this book from the publisher/TBR and Beyond Tours in exchange of an honest review.
This was a fun book about a girl named Scout who got it in her head to go to band so she would be able to attend a festival. At first she is horrible at music and you just want to shake Scout a bit to just do the practice but then things go better and better and friendship is found and I just loved seeing Scout grow. Get better. Scout was so relatable. Haha. I just loved that girl. And I also liked Scout’s friends Merrin and Lou! I loved for each friend (and also Scout) we got a small introduction with pronouns and what they were good at. That was fun! There were a few things I was less a fan of but that had to do mostly with how done the graphic novel was. Sometimes text bubbles were empty (thus no clue what they were talking about), some pages had full colour, others had nothing or just a dot here and there, some were just sketches. It was a tad confusing. So I will definitely be buying the book to add to my collection and see the finished product. I would give this book drum roll: Star rating, 5 stars
Read my blog for 15 reactions I had for this book: https://twirlingbookprincess.com/2022/04/blog-tour-scout-is-not-a-band-kid-by-jade-armstrong-15-reactions-while-reading/
This was a fun book about a girl named Scout who got it in her head to go to band so she would be able to attend a festival. At first she is horrible at music and you just want to shake Scout a bit to just do the practice but then things go better and better and friendship is found and I just loved seeing Scout grow. Get better. Scout was so relatable. Haha. I just loved that girl. And I also liked Scout’s friends Merrin and Lou! I loved for each friend (and also Scout) we got a small introduction with pronouns and what they were good at. That was fun! There were a few things I was less a fan of but that had to do mostly with how done the graphic novel was. Sometimes text bubbles were empty (thus no clue what they were talking about), some pages had full colour, others had nothing or just a dot here and there, some were just sketches. It was a tad confusing. So I will definitely be buying the book to add to my collection and see the finished product. I would give this book drum roll: Star rating, 5 stars
Read my blog for 15 reactions I had for this book: https://twirlingbookprincess.com/2022/04/blog-tour-scout-is-not-a-band-kid-by-jade-armstrong-15-reactions-while-reading/
mjtal's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
moholub's review
5.0
Scout is absolutely not a band kid, until--several months, hours of practice, one disastrous concert, and a new friendship later--being a band kid doesn't seem so bad. A fun and sweet middle grade story that explores growing and changing friendships, responsibility and commitment, and what it means to work towards something you are passionate about. Love the art style and the little notes from the author throughout.
servemethesky's review
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
This was really cute and made for a fun, wholesome read! As a former clarinet player / band nerd, it definitely resonated.
Scout’s friends at the beginning were awful! I’m surprised she didn’t cut them off more completely/intentionally. I loved seeing her friendship with Merrin flourish and watching her commit to her own art!
Scout’s friends at the beginning were awful! I’m surprised she didn’t cut them off more completely/intentionally. I loved seeing her friendship with Merrin flourish and watching her commit to her own art!
madden_b's review
5.0
I really loved this graphic novel! It had a cool story centering music and art which is AWESOME! It was also amazing to see a middle grade comic that had queer kids in it and were so chill about it, it wasn't the main focus at all! I especially liked how every time that a new character was introduced, it stated their pronouns. This was 4.5 stars rounded up, because I didn't fully love the art, but I gave it the benefit of the doubt because I really enjoyed it.
geekwayne's review
4.0
'Scout Is Not a Band Kid' with story and art by Jade Armstrong is a graphic novel about a young girl who joins band under false pretenses.
When Scout finds out that her favorite author will be at a end of year festival along with her school's band, she sees it as a chance to meet her idol. She joins band and ends up in the trombone section, even though she doesn't know how to play or read music. Soon she is being tutored by the first trombone who takes band very seriously and can't stand what Scout is doing.
As a band nerd, and former trombone player, I enjoyed this story of a person with no right to be in band who finds her place. The art was fine for the story, but I hope there is more color in the finished product.
I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Random House Children's and NetGalley. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.
When Scout finds out that her favorite author will be at a end of year festival along with her school's band, she sees it as a chance to meet her idol. She joins band and ends up in the trombone section, even though she doesn't know how to play or read music. Soon she is being tutored by the first trombone who takes band very seriously and can't stand what Scout is doing.
As a band nerd, and former trombone player, I enjoyed this story of a person with no right to be in band who finds her place. The art was fine for the story, but I hope there is more color in the finished product.
I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Random House Children's and NetGalley. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.
bookish_mrs_w's review against another edition
4.0
This was such a relatable middle grade graphic novel. Working in a Middle School, I found Scout's struggle to fit in with her friends while hiding who she really is to be such an honest view of this age. The relationship building between Scout and Merrin was a joy to read. The art style Scout is Not A Band Kid will absolutely resonate with the teens who pick this up. So many kids will see themselves in these pages! I can't wait to recommend this one for our school library!
[Read an ARC through NetGalley for an arc in exchange for an honest review.]
[Read an ARC through NetGalley for an arc in exchange for an honest review.]
martereadsbooks's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0