Playing Through the Turnaround

by Mylisa Larsen, James Fouhey (Read by)

Overview

Sparkling wit and heart combine in a tale of young musicians protesting budget cuts and navigating shifting friendships, clueless adults, and unexpected loss as they discover the power of speaking out and the value of listening.

“A brave and dazzling debut, this timely novel is a blueprint for hope.” —Katherine Applegate, Newbery Medalist and bestselling author of The One and Only Ivan

“Keen and clear and fiercely funny.” —Linda Sue Park, Newbery Medalist and bestselling author of A Long Walk to Water

“Brilliant, sharp, comic, poignant, and true.” —Gary D. Schmidt, two-time Newbery Honor–winning author of The Wednesday Wars

“A splendid novel filled with honesty and heart.” —Karina Yan Glaser, bestselling author of the Vanderbeekers series.

Fifth period is hands down the best time of day in Connor U. Eubanks Middle School, because that’s when Mr. Lewis teaches Jazz Lab. So his students are devastated when their beloved teacher quits abruptly. Once they make a connection between budget cuts and Mr. Lewis’s disappearance, they hatch a plan: stop the cuts, save their class.

Soon they become an unlikely band of crusaders, and their quest quickly snowballs into something much bigger—a movement involving the whole middle school. But the adults in charge seem determined to ignore their every protest. How can the kids make themselves heard?

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9798212161411
Publisher:	HarperCollins Publishers
Publication date:	10/11/2022
Product dimensions:	5.20(w) x 5.70(h) x 0.00(d)
Age Range:	8 - 12 Years

About the Author

Mylisa Larsen was born in Idaho, has lived in eight states and two countries, and currently resides in upstate New York with her family. She is the author of several picture books, including How to Put Your Parents to Bed, and the novel Playing Through the Turnaround. mylisalarsen.com.

James Fouhey is an actor and narrator living in New York City. He received classical training at Boston University and the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts. He has recorded more than forty audiobooks across a variety of genres, including science fiction, romance, young adult fiction, and children’s fiction.

Editorial Reviews

★ 10/17/2022

In this poignant novel by Larsen (Ho Ho Homework), a middle school jazz band uses artistic activism to fight for a say in their school’s education budget spending decisions. Connor U. Eubanks Middle School eighth graders Jake, Cassie, Lily, Mac, and Nick, each wrestling with myriad interpersonal challenges, “make the mad go away” in Jazz Lab, an audition-only music elective. Playing jazz helps them communicate things they can’t find the words for, but a fiscally conservative school board member alludes to budget cuts and their beloved mentor unexpectedly quits, jeopardizing Jazz Lab. When they learn that other electives are also on the chopping block, the musicians—with the help of rebellious troublemaking classmate Quagmire—resolve to use their instruments, and their voices, to persuade the adults to listen to their needs. Through emotionally charged, alternating present-tense perspectives and expertly developed characters, the narrative eschews easy answers in this powerful portrayal of a ragtag group of students coming together to accomplish a common goal. Larsen elevates this optimistic, community-focused tale by mimicking jazz’s “back-and-forth” conversational style to parallel the listening and response that effective activism requires. Characters follow a white default. Ages 8–12. Agent: Erin Murphy, Erin Murphy Literary. (Oct.)

Publishers Weekly

In an effort to get grown-ups to listen to them, middle schoolers do something extraordinary. So does Larsen, in her debut—by introducing characters so distinct and alive that each sparkles and yet becomes much more as they together tackle the challenging task of asserting their right to a say in their own educations. A magnificent medley of cogent themes and memorable moments.” — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

“[A] powerful portrayal of a ragtag group of students coming together to accomplish a common goal.” — Publishers Weekly (starred review)

"The perfect amount of tension draw[s] readers in to a funny, sad, and heartwarming story that celebrates the importance of independence, belonging, and the arts." — Horn Book Magazine

"With fast-paced, voice-driven chapters and a musical flair, this is perfect for readers of Carrie Firestone's Dress Coded (2020) and Maleeha Siddiqui's Barakah Beats (2021)." — Booklist

From the Publisher

★ 2022-07-27
In an effort to get grown-ups to listen to them, middle schoolers do something extraordinary.

So does Larsen, in her debut—by introducing characters so distinct and alive that each sparkles and yet becomes much more as they together tackle the challenging task of asserting their right to a say in their own educations. Drawn together by their common devotion to twice-weekly Jazz Lab, five eighth grade musicians are dismayed when grizzled, legendary adviser Mr. Lewis is replaced by random subs as rumors of budget cuts swirl. Popular efforts to drum up signatures for a petition lead to disturbing revelations that cuts have been quietly paring away elective activities for years. But finding a bundle of signed petitions chucked in the garbage unread and seeing students’ concerns waved off by the school board really motivate the quintet. Enter professional problem student Quentin “Quagmire” Tiarello, bringing his gift for alienating powers that be, a wonderful ongoing duel with a certain English teacher who (to his discomfiture) really sees him, and a surprising level of technical savvy with light and sound boards—all of which prove invaluable in setting up an inspired, foot-stomping, showstopping, thoroughly unauthorized musical climax. Does it create magically sweeping changes? Maybe not…but more people join the youths in listening to one another, and that’s a worthy result. Mr. Lewis’ reappearance adds a final sweet, poignant note. Main characters read White; names cue ethnic diversity in the supporting cast.

A magnificent medley of cogent themes and memorable moments. (Fiction. 10-14)

Kirkus Reviews