Gr 4—6—Jeremiah Birnbaum comes from a wealthy family and has everything a kid could ever ask for. However, because he is not able to control many aspects of his life, he feels trapped in his overly proper existence and wishes he could be a more "normal" kid. One day, Jeremiah discovers he has a passion for banjo music. Facing disapproval from his loving but misguided parents, who want him to play only the piano, he secretly sets out to build his own banjo and learn how to play it. With the help of his friend Luella and a few supportive adults, Jeremiah achieves his goal and eventually convinces nonbelievers of the beauty of the instrument. Using simple, straightforward language injected with humor and heart, Fagan presents a sweet, quiet, and neatly packaged tale that emphasizes the importance of hard work and following your dreams in the face of adversity. The story is set in an undetermined place, although references to things like the Internet indicate the modern day. Black-and-white spot illustrations at the start of each chapter add a bit of whimsy. While the pace of the narrative is slow at times, and the content might not interest all children, readers will relate to Jeremiah's feelings of frustration with not being allowed to make decisions for himself and may even be inspired to pick up a unique hobby of their own.—Rita Meade, Brooklyn Public Library, NY
Jeremiah's nouveau riche parents want only the best for their gawky son--private school plus lessons in etiquette, dancing, art, and piano. When Jeremiah hears a banjo playing, he becomes obsessed with following his true destiny. Fagan's straightforward, nondidactic narrative hints at the fact that individualism has its own rewards. An appended author's note encourages readers to build their own banjos.
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