Scout Is Not a Band Kid by Jade Armstrong
Published by Random House Graphic on April 5, 2022
ISBN: 0593176235
Pages: 272
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Graphic Novel
Goodreads

Scout is an eighth grader who is obsessed with meeting her favorite author. This author is getting up in years and will be retiring soon. She learns the author will be at an event far from her home, and she is convinced she has no way to get there…. Or does she…. When she finds out the band from her school will be at this festival, Scout decides to join the band. The only problem is that she can’t play an instrument. How hard can that be—turns out, it is much harder than she thought.

Scout is a very self-centered character who has no problem lying or doing whatever it takes to get what she wants. Even when it affects others in the band, she puts herself first throughout most of the story. She does manage to redeem herself and somehow make it all work out. Merrin, is a serious and accomplished trombone player who is called on to help Scout. Readers will feel Merrin’s pain as she struggles to tutor the unmotivated Scout and not lose her cool. The illustrations are a spot on depiction of middle grade students and their school lives and band days.

The back pages include character sketches, band member and instrument sketches as well as a note from the author discussing their inspiration for the story. This is an excellent graphic novel that will be of particular interest to band kids and kids who understand the importance of meeting your favorite author.

Reviewed by Terri Bauld, Louis T. Graves Memorial Public Library, Kennebunkport, ME