Befiddled [Hardcover]

Pedro de Alcantara (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 3 and up

Becky Cohen has a rough life. She’s an outsider everywhere she goes: shunned and mocked at school, at her violin lessons, and at home by her disapproving mother. Her only true friend is her brilliant little brother, newspaper-loving Benjy. She dreams of becoming a great violinist, but at the group lessons she’s forced to take at the Y, Becky panics and plays badly. Then Becky meets Mr. Freeman, her building’s handyman. He has a lot to teach her about becoming a musician, and being a friend.
Gradually, Becky begins speaking her mind more often, and finds that people are actually listening. Then Mr. Freeman tells Becky about a local performing arts high school’s scholarship contest. With the lessons learned from Mr. Freeman and Benjy, can Becky overcome her fears and play what’s in her heart?

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 4-7–Life really stinks for 13-year-old Becky Cohen. Shes not even close to being pretty, has no friends except her brilliant 12-year-old brother, and her overworked, widowed mother constantly finds fault with her. She desperately misses her father. The family has no money for private violin lessons, so Becky is forced to suffer through group classes at the Y with odious, hypercritical Mrs. Stark. Although she willingly practices for hours every day, the girl doesnt begin to improve until she meets mysterious Mr. Freeman, who teaches her to relax and actually love playing music. With his coaching, Becky pushes herself out of her comfort zone and dares to play with her heart instead of by rote, which pays off with wonderful results. Brazilian native, professional musician de Alcantara soars when describing Beckys musical development, but other characters seem more stock. Readers will empathize with the protagonists struggles and will cheer with great satisfaction as she stretches to reach her potential.–Susan Riley, Mount Kisco Public Library, NY
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About the Author

Pedro de Alcantara is a Brazilian citizen living in Paris. This is his first novel.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Hardcover: 192 pages
• Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers; First Edition edition (November 8, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0385732651
• ISBN-13: 978-0385732659
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.8 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,398,539 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Pedro de Alcantara's books include the children's novels "Befiddled" and "Backtracked" (both published by Delacorte Press) and works of non-fiction for adults, including "Indirect Procedures: A Musician's Guide to the Alexander Technique" (published by the Oxford University Press and translated into French, German, and Japanese), "Integrated Practice: Coordination, Rhythm & Sound" (also published by the OUP), and "The Alexander Technique: A Skill for Life" (published by Crowood). Pedro is currently finishing a new novel for young readers. Pedro travels the world giving seminars and master classes.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Empowering, December 8, 2005

By 

T. Pateas (New York) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Befiddled (Hardcover)

This is a great read for kids.
The story explores a young musician's struggle to understand the adults in her life and to find her way among her peers as she explores her art. Becky's exploits will captivate you and carry you on to a wonderful and empowering conclusion.
She and her younger brother will make you laugh out loud.
Readers will learn some things about music and life. I think it is an excellent novel that will inspire whoever reads it.
I have decided to give this book to several children this Christmas season.
You can be sure that Becky will thrill boys and girls whether or not they have any interest in music at all.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A thoroughly enjoyable book!, December 3, 2005

By 

Liam Fitzpatrick (Rome, Italy) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Befiddled (Hardcover)

'Befiddled' is a beautifully written book that has it all; it's extremely funny, full of angst, and peppered with just a dash of love and confusion; well just like the life of any thirteen your old. Read the first page and you'll be hooked. I guarantee it. Becky, the narrator, is so nervous as she's called on to play her violin under the evil eye of her teacher and the other hyena like students in her class, you can't help but turn the page and then the next page and the next....until you're done. We've all been in her shoes and like me, you'll be rooting for Becky all through the book, just as if you were rooting for yourself. And maybe you are. Go out and buy it. Buy it for all the kids you know. That's what I'm doing. What you'll get is a great story, a funny story, and one that has that extra special touch, Becky's love of music, that makes it so original and unforgettable.

Oh and just wait until you read Benjy's (Becky's younger brother) newspaper, "The Splinter". You'll be cracking up!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It is amazing!, January 18, 2006

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Befiddled (Hardcover)

Befiddled is one of the best novels that I have read in years and I read A LOT of books! It has a great story-line and great characters. You can feel what the writter is meaning by the words and 'emotion' that he uses. I would reccomend this book to 11-15 year olds and I can't wait for Pedro de Alcantara's next book!