Allegra

by Shelley Hrdlitschka

Overview

Allegra thinks being at a performing-arts high school will change her life and make her a better dancer.

But high school is still high school, complete with cliques, competition and cruelty. Allegra's refuge comes in the form of a class she doesn't want to take—music theory, taught by a very young, very attractive male teacher. Soon all Allegra can think about is music composition—and Mr. Rochelli. But has she misunderstood his attention, or is he really her soul mate?

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781459801998
Publisher:	Orca Book Publishers
Publication date:	04/01/2013
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	280
Lexile:	HL640L (what's this?)
File size:	905 KB
Age Range:	12 - 17 Years

About the Author

Shelley Hrdlitschka has written many novels for teens, including Sister Wife, which was nominated for a Governor General's Literary Award. She lives in North Vancouver, British Columbia, where she hikes, snowshoes and hangs out with grizzly bears at the Grouse Mountain Refuge for Endangered Wildlife.

Editorial Reviews

In Hrdlitschka’s absorbing exploration of contemporary teen life, aspiring dancer Allegra Whitford, daughter of two musicians, is allowed to focus on her passion by spending her senior year at a performing arts high school, Deer Lake. Even Allegra’s lifelong social anxiety seems to be improving, since friendships come more easily at the new school, including a potential romance. But the most important relationship she starts to build is with the young, handsome, and charismatic music teacher, Mr. Rocchelli, who challenges her to compose a complex piece of music. The composition takes over Allegra’s life, as she uncovers her talent, skill, and excitement for the art form, which comes hand in hand with a budding infatuation with Mr. Rocchelli. Meanwhile, Allegra’s rock-star father realizes, a little too late, that his life on the road has estranged his wife, a classically trained harpist. Hrdlitschka (Sister Wife) realistically depicts teenage emotional turmoil as Allegra’s growing obsession with Mr. Rocchelli combines with despair at her parents’ separation and the ups and downs of her new friendships. The main characters’ devotion to the arts enriches the drama; the conclusion, while somewhat facile, is nevertheless satisfying. Ages 12–up. (Apr.)

Publishers Weekly

"Hrdlitschka does an excellent job of illustrating the subtle, gradual and easily understandable shift in [the] relationship [between Allegra and her teacher]...Allegra's vulnerability and need to connect with somebody make her a sympathetic character, whom readers will like...A story of transformation."

Canadian Children's Book News

"Readers will enjoy the exploration of topics such as friendship, dating, divorce, music, anxiety disorders and high school culture. Shelley Hrdlitschka has once again put a very human face on an issue which has made sensational headlines...A powerful novel which addresses the complex issue of controversial teacher-student relationships in a sensitive and thoughtful manner."

Resource Links

"As an examination of mental health troubles, the book is a sophisticated and subtle anomaly in a genre that often places emphasis on the 'issues' first and characters second. Hrdlitschka's prose is clean and clear...Avoiding the one-dimensional depictions often foisted on older generations in YA, Allegra's mother and father are fully realized, flawed, and believable...You can't hear the music, but you can feel it in this fresh, engrossing story."

Quill & Quire

"Hrdlitschka takes a close look at the atmosphere of a performing arts academy and the pressures faced by students who are ambitious and anxious to excel...Allegra will appeal to young adult female readers who are interested in the performing arts...An interesting and enjoyable read."

CM Magazine

"I ADORED the musical connection. I know exactly what that feels like. This is a wonderful book for the serious teenage musician."

YALSA Teens' Top Ten Galley Review

"Hrdlitschka balances well the importance of family and friendship in a difficult situation...There is a lot going on in this story, and it does not end in a way readers might suspect—so much the better."

Tales and Sails blog Shells

Gr 8 Up—Allegra Whitford is thrilled to finally be at Deer Lake School for the Fine and Performing Arts. Although she is the daughter of two musicians (her dad plays in a popular band and her mom is an orchestra harpist), Allegra has her sights set on becoming a professional dancer. However, her excitement is dimmed by the school's requirement that she take a music-theory class. Despite her initial reluctance, Allegra soon begins to enjoy the class due to the charisma of its young and attractive teacher. The challenging project that Mr. Rocchelli assigns her and the tentative friendships that the shy teen begins to make at her new school all seem to bode well for Allegra's senior year. But the intensity of creating music and the increasing time she spends alone with Mr. Rocchelli start to make everyone, including Allegra herself, wonder if there could be something more to their relationship. The musical creations-whether through a rock-band jam session, playing a classical harp, or composing with a digital program-are described with loving detail but a light touch, appealing to both veteran musicians and neophytes, who will relish this opportunity to better appreciate the power of music. Allegra's artistic pursuits-and intense commitment-will resonate particularly with equally passionate teens, while her social anxiety and strained home life might be familiar, albeit painfully so, to a broader audience.—Evelyn Khoo Schwartz, Georgetown Day School, Washington, DC

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