Struts & Frets [Hardcover]

Jon Skovron (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 2009

Told in a voice that’s honest, urgent, and hilarious, Struts & Frets will resonate not only with teenage musicians but with anyone who ever sat up all night listening to a favorite album, wondering if they’d ever find their place in the world.
 
Music is in Sammy’s blood. His grandfather was a jazz musician, and Sammy’s indie rock band could be huge one day—if they don’t self-destruct first. Winning the upcoming Battle of the Bands would justify all the band’s compromises and reassure Sammy that his life’s dream could become a reality. But practices are hard to schedule when Sammy’s grandfather is sick and getting worse, his mother is too busy to help either of them, and his best friend may want to be his girlfriend.
 
When everything in Sammy’s life seems to be headed for major catastrophe, will his music be enough to keep him together?

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 9 Up—Music is the center of Sammy Bojar's world, despite his therapist mother's urging that he pursue a more profitable career and stable lifestyle. Though he is now sinking into dementia, Sammy's grandfather, a jazz musician, is still able to encourage his grandson to follow his dream: "You're like me…. Always reaching for the moon." When Sammy's band decides to enter a competition that could result in a chance to record in a real studio, he fluctuates between his extravagant dreams of rock-star fame and his nagging fear that the group is far from ready to perform. Meanwhile, he struggles with the realization that a longtime friend wants to be his girlfriend. When it becomes clear that their romance is about to become more physical, Jen5 responsibly blurts out a reminder not to "forget to…uh…go to the drugstore before you come over." The resulting hilarious scene in which Sammy is utterly baffled by the vast variety of condoms on display is just one of the narrative's many entertaining depictions of the turmoil of growing up. A playlist identifies the songs mentioned in the text, while a classroom scene in which Sammy's teacher reads aloud from Macbeth makes the origin of the book's title clear. This debut novel will find an audience not just with music fans, but also with those who appreciate a good coming-of-age story.—Ginny Gustin, Sonoma County Library System, Santa Rosa, CA
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About the Author

Jon Skovron is a music geek who can play nine instruments, but none of them well. This is his first novel. In his spare time, he writes technical manuals and tries to forget about his sordid past as an actor. He lives with his wife and two kids outside Washington, D.C. To learn more about him, the book, or the music, visit him at www.strutsandfretsbook.com.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 14 and up
  
• Hardcover: 304 pages
• Publisher: Amulet Books (November 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0810941740
• ISBN-13: 978-0810941748
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.1 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,320,754 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Jon Skovron writes books for teens and the troubled at heart. After attempting to be a rock star in high school, then studying acting at a university conservatory program, he returned to his first love, writing. He currently lives with his two sons outside Washington, DC.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Buy This Book, October 25, 2009

By 

Saundra Mitchell (Indiana, USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Struts & Frets (Hardcover)

Struts & Frets is about Sammy- a teen boy who wants nothing more than to make music. This dream is unfortunately complicated by the members of his band, and his grandfather's descent into dementia. Sammy is so real and wonderfully drawn; I could feel his hesitation about singing publicly, and watching him avoid and avoid unpleasant things until he had to deal with them just rang so true. I love how, despite the very strong emotions and dark moments in this book, it's never angsty or wallowy- it's just really honest from beginning to end.

I loved so much seeing a male protagonist fall in love with a smart, competent girl that... he continues to love when she continues to be smart and competent. I thought the way their relationship unfolded was so real and such an oasis in the middle of so much turmoil. I loved that he figured out forgiveness- that some people could be, and other people couldn't be.

And every word works. Unlike dense, packed-page novels where the words are stacked nine-deep and you might figure out what they mean if you diagram (although the stacking itself is gloriously lush), the words in Struts & Frets work. It means something when the characters hurl insults. It means something when these characters make promises. It means something with the main character has revelations- small and great.

I love this book, and I look forward to sharing it again and again.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect for music lovers..., November 20, 2009

By 

Sarah Woodard (Bremerton, WA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Struts & Frets (Hardcover)

Struts and Frets tells the coming of age story of Sammy Bojar. He is a high school rock and roll garage band. Music is in his blood, and his grandfather was a jazz musician. So, maybe his band could be huge one of these days, if the fighting stops and does not self-destruct first. The upcoming Battle of the Bands would justify all the band;s compromises and it would also reassure Sammy that
his dream could become a reality. Practices are hard to schedule when Sammy's grandfather is sick and getting worse, his mother is too busy to help either of them, and his best friend may want to be his girlfriend. When everything in Sammy's life seems to be headed for major catastrophe, will his music be enough to keep him together?
Sammy was an interesting character and I really like him. Jen5 was also amazing, too. She was such a kick ass girl. Sammy and Jen5 were so cute with another, but I felt that their relationship was a bit rushed. The plot was interesting and entertaining. It was a really original book. I loved the fact that there were many layers to this book. Skovron was an amazing writer and I could tell that he loved music. I recommend that you check out this book, if you love music.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great coming of age story, October 23, 2009

By 

V. Kelley "Gini" (Arizona) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Struts & Frets (Hardcover)

Great coming of age story that is entertaining for all ages. Would highly recommend this book - good character development which make a story believeable. You like the characters and find yourself easily relating to them. The main character deals with parents, grandparents, friends and not-so friends while starting the dream of most of us -to have a rock band. Good read!