Scout is Not a Band Kid by Jade Armstrong - HIGH

 Scout is Not a Band Kid by Jade Armstrong, 266 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL. RH Graphic (Penguin Random House). 2022. $21

Language: G (0 swears); Mature Content G; Violence: G

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

8th grade Scout is totally into comics and wants to meet her favorite author at the end of the year. The only way she can scheme to get to the festival is to join the Holy Moly Catholic school band. Scout knows nothing about band but that doesn’t stop her from pretending to know how to play the trombone. The only other trombonist, Merrin, is at first excited, but then horrified when she discovers Scout doesn’t even care about learning trombone. Merrin’s life revolves around her trombone and getting a music scholarship.

Fun story about finding yourself and following your dreams, no matter what they are. Merrin and Scout clash, but the journey is delightful and both discover things about each other and themselves. The art is strong and colorful and you will soon be cheering for both Merrin and Scout. 

 Michelle in the Middle