Guitar Boy

Travis Delaney's life changes when a car accident leaves him with severe injuries and claims his mother's life. As he works through physical therapy and grief, Travis discovers an old guitar in his grandfather's basement. The guitar becomes Travis's lifeline as he teaches himself to play, finding both comfort and purpose in music. His progress on the instrument parallels his journey of healing, even as he faces challenges at school and tensions within his grieving family. Travis forms connections with other musicians, including a local guitar maker, while navigating new family dynamics with his father and younger sister. The story follows his path through recovery, musical growth, and the gradual rebuilding of his world. This coming-of-age novel explores themes of resilience, the healing power of art, and how music can bridge divides between people during times of loss. The narrative stands as a testament to finding one's voice in the aftermath of tragedy.

Readers find this middle-grade novel relatable and engaging for its realistic portrayal of a young musician's journey after a family tragedy. Readers liked: - The authentic depiction of learning guitar - Focus on family relationships and healing - Travis's character growth - Integration of music terminology and concepts - Age-appropriate handling of grief Common criticisms: - Slow pacing in the first third - Some predictable plot elements - Side characters need more development Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (203 ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (21 ratings) From reader reviews: "The guitar learning scenes felt real - reminded me of my own early lessons" - Goodreads reviewer "Story takes too long to get moving but pays off in the end" - Amazon reviewer "A good book for young musicians, but the plot follows expected patterns" - School Library Journal reader review

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🎸 Author M.J. Auch learned to play guitar specifically while researching this book to better understand her main character's journey. 🎼 The book addresses the real medical condition of selective mutism, which affects about 1% of children and can be triggered by trauma. 🏠 The foster care system, which plays a central role in the story, serves over 400,000 children in the United States annually. 🎵 The vintage Gibson guitar featured in the story is based on a real 1952 Gibson Les Paul model, one of the most sought-after electric guitars in history. 👥 Many details in the book were inspired by M.J. Auch's conversations with music therapists who use guitar playing to help trauma survivors heal.