Notes From An Accidental Band Geek [Hardcover]

Erin Dionne (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2011 | Age Level: 10 and up | Grade Level: 5 and up

Elsie Wyatt is a born French horn player, just like her father and her grandfather before her. In order to qualify for the prestigious summer music camp of her dreams, she must expand her musical horizons and join - gasp! - the marching band. There are no French horns in marching band (what the heck is a mellophone??), but there are some cute boys. And marching band is very different from orchestra: they march, they chant, they . . . cluck? Elsie is not so sure she'll survive, but the new friends she's making and the actual fun she's having will force her to question her dad's expectations and her own musical priorities.

--This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 10 and up
  
• Hardcover: 288 pages
• Publisher: Dial (September 1, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0803735642
• ISBN-13: 978-0803735644
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #69,898 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Funny, musical, and amazing!, October 21, 2011

By 

L. K. Messner "Kate Messner" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Notes From An Accidental Band Geek (Hardcover)

Confession: I will always be a band geek at heart. My junior high and high school years were spent marching around fields and up and down neighborhood streets in parade formation in my small town, riding the band bus, and ogling the boys in the trumpet section. So really...was there any way I was NOT going to like this book? Probably not... but I didn't just like it - I loved it.

Elsie Wyatt is a great twist on the classic fish-out-of-water story, a classic orchestra kid who's forced to join marching band to show "ensemble diversity" for her elite music camp application. Her marching band life is a story of baptism by fire (On the first day, she drops her hat with the big fluffy plume, inspiring the entire band to chant "Chicken down" song at her until she starts clucking.) Things don't get any more dignified from there.

This is a hilarious book that celebrates the best of marching band life in ways that had me both laughing out loud and getting goosebumps, remembering what it was like to be part of something so big and loud and awesome for all those years. And on top of all that, it's a tender, sweet, and funny story about family dynamics (Elsie's dad is a symphony horn player), making friends, first crushes, and figuring out who you really are.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Notes From An Accidental Band Geek, September 6, 2011

By 

princess bookie "Cin" (IL, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Notes From An Accidental Band Geek (Hardcover)

My Thoughts: I still need to read Dionne's other novels! I ended up getting the chance to read this one and was very excited. It sounded like such a cute and fun little read. And it was!

We are introduced to Elsie who is a new freshman at a new school. Elsie is a talented french horn player. Her dad is a famous musician and she wants to follow right in his footsteps. In order to audition for a special music group, she must spice up her musical resume a little bit so she joins Marching Band. Her dad doesn't think this is such a good idea. He thinks it will take up too much of her time and distract her. But what choice does she have?

She joins Marching Band and meets a few new friends. She actually enjoys her time spent with them and with the people in Marching Band. The one thing she isn't thrilled about at first is playing the Mellophone. She has to play this instead of her french horn since they don't carry heavy instruments around.

She does feel overwhelmed at times but she's confident and goal orientated. She wants her audition to go smoothly but she also likes her new life. She finally feels like she belongs to something worth while. And yes, there is a bit of romance throughout the novel.

Notes From An Accidental Band Geek was a really cute sweet novel. It brings back memories of high school and makes me wish I could play an instrument, I can't.

Overall: I really enjoyed it! This is one of those feel good novels! Yes, there is a lesson to be learned here but its a fun novel.

Cover: Its cute as heck! Love the horn! Love her skirt and shoes! Very cute cover.

What I'd Give It: 4/5 Cupcakes
________________________________
Review Based On Hardcover Edition

Taken From Princess Bookie (blog)

5.0 out of 5 stars A must read for musicians and anyone who has ever been a teenager!, November 23, 2011

By 

CECS (Connecticut) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Notes From An Accidental Band Geek (Hardcover)

A former "band geek" herself, Dionne has written yet another fabulous coming of age story with an interesting twist. Elsie knows the value of hard work and perseverence, but many of her ideas about herself (and her fellow musicians) are challenged as she adapts to the strange new world of marching band. Dionne's characters are rich and funny, and this book will make you laugh, cry, and perhaps consider taking up an instrument yourself!