"Gus and Grandpa and the Piano Lesson" is about a boy named Gus who is learning how to play the piano. He practices for a half hour everyday and takes piano lessons with Mrs. Moore. She tells Gus to count out loud and to not have squishy fingers. At his piano recital, Gus is worried that he will forget how to play "The Race Horse" without having his music in front of him. He began to play the song perfectly, hitting every note. Then, suddenly, Gus couldn't remember the rest. Mrs. Moore walked on stage and handed Gus his music and he finished playing the song. His grandpa looked at him proudly. Later on, Grandpa took out his violin that he hadn't played in forty years. Gus's father retrieved his trombone. Gus, his grandpa, and his father all began playing "The Race Horse" together and his mother even beat on a toy tambourine. They played the song over and over again. Now, Gus understand how to get the music in his fingers. This story can show readers that just because playing the piano was hard for Gus at first, he never gave up and eventually learned how to play well and began to love playing it. Some children may deal with the struggles of music lessons, wanting to give up and quit playing. But, by practicing and staying committed, eventually you too will learn how to get the music in your fingers. ( )

Illustrations: water color and pencil. This book is about a boy named Gus who played the piano. He didn't like playing the piano. He would rather go outside and play basketball with his friend than practice piano. Gus had to practice a song called The Horse Race and when it came to the recital, his teacher wanted him to play the song without sheet music. He made it towards the end of the song, then he forgot the rest. He was very embarrassed, but when he went home, his grandpa brought out his fiddle and his dad brought out his trombone and they all played the song together. This book is realistic fiction because it is a story that could actually happen with real people. Age appropriateness: intermediate.

The short chapter book, "Gus and Grandpa and the Piano Lesson" is great for beginning readers. Since they will be spending time with chapter books in the future, this one is a great start. Gus thinks practicing on the piano is the worst thirty minutes ever. Instead, he wanted to be outside playing basketball with his friend, Ryan. Mrs. Moore, his piano teacher, complains that his fingers are squishy instead of being strong and that he needs to count out loud while playing. Not only that, but a month later he would have to play "The Horse Race" at the recital and he's not so sure that he is ready for it. At the recital he does well at first by having strong hands and playing loud. However, he forgets the rest of his notes so Mrs. Moore had to quickly bring them to him on stage. Once they went home, grandpa pulled out his violin and started playing Gus's song. Joining in, his dad got his trombone and his mom counted time with the tambourine. Even the dog was a part of the band. He may have not liked playing the piano, but he sure did love playing together with his family. Children may get discouraged while playing instruments, but with family, it could become interesting and fun, making them love making the sound of music. ( )

How lovely to finish my 99th book this summer with a musical read about a reluctant piano students. I have taught many a Gus. What I love about this book is that Gus actually doesn't perform well during the recital, but his family gathers around him (grandpa and dad both play instruments). Within the context of family, Gus starts to appreciate that music "in his fingers" is magic. ( )

A good example of realistic fiction because although it is not evident that Gus and his family are literal, existing people, this struggle to practice something or to keep at something even when there are more appealing things is prevalent in almost every person's life. Gus is taking piano lessons but does not want to practice. His friend comes to the door and wants to play, but Gus's mother says he must practice his piano first. Gus spends time with his grandpa who likes opera and decides even piano isn't as bad as that. At piano lessons, Gus's teacher can tell he hasn't been practicing the way he was told so she insists that he improve. Gus has a piano recital and gets through almost all of the song and gets stuck. Going home, Gus feels like he failed so to cheer him up and give him a new perspective on this piano adventure, Gus's grandpa gets out his violin, Gus's father gets out his trombone, and Gus's mother gets out a tambourine and they all play the song that Gus was learning. This makes him remember it better and sheds a more enjoyable light on learning piano. This book shows that with some hard work and perseverance, one can achieve goals and find satisfaction and pleasure out of a task.

Media: watercolor and charcoal ( )