Befiddled

November 28, 2005
Budding musicians, especially those who suffer from stage fright, will be drawn to this first novel about a nervous violinist. However, the story's underdeveloped characterizations and improbable conclusion ultimately may disappoint readers. Thirteen-year-old Becky loves her violin and spends hours practicing, but whenever she performs in front of others—especially her critical teacher and taunting peers—she breaks into a sweat and loses control ("How can my fingers be so weak? Why is my bow skidding on the string? How can anyone play so out of tune?
" she asks herself when playing a solo in front of her violin class). Then Becky meets handyman Mr. Freeman, a former educator, who teaches her how to relax and have fun with her music. While Becky gains some self-confidence, her potential as a musician is never clearly established. She does win a scholarship to a high school of performing arts, but does so in an unconventional way, playing an improvisation instead of sticking to the program and performing the piece she has worked so hard to prepare. With the exception of Mr. Freeman, the adults in the novel—Becky's mother and her teachers—all seem to be cut from the same cloth, using degradation and humiliation as disciplinary measures. It is no wonder that Becky becomes an anxious wreck. Unfortunately, her relatively quick cure is less convincing. Ages 8-12.