Guitar Boy

Gr 6—9—Fourteen-year-old Travis has fallen on hard times in this gentle novel (Holt, 2010) by M.J. Auch. Travis has lived a poor but idyllic life in his Adirondack Mountain home, but things change when his mother lands in a nursing home after a debilitating car accident. The teen blames his father for the accident, and the grief-ridden man kicks his son out of their home. Alone and penniless, Travis has only his mother's beloved guitar to remind him of better times. The mountains are filled with generous people, and Travis soon finds a home with grandfatherly Clarence and a job with guitar-maker Scott McKissack. The three work together to produce a music festival and Travis begins to believe that music is the magic key to reach his mother and reunite his family. The story unfolds slowly but picks up speed. David Baker's excellent narration nicely distinguishes each character. Guitar music weaves in between and through the story, adding a lushness not found in the print version. An author interview at the conclusion adds to Travis's story.—Tricia Melgaard, Centennial Middle School, Broken Arrow, OK