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434th out of 1,176 books
—
6,249 voters
Four Seasons
Allegra Katz has been playing piano since she was four. But these aren't just any piano lessons. She studies at the Julliard School in New York, where careers are being formed—or not.
Between strict practice schedules, music classes, and regular school, Ally doesn't have time for much else. Sometimes she wishes she could break free, but she's never known any other way. Her...more
Between strict practice schedules, music classes, and regular school, Ally doesn't have time for much else. Sometimes she wishes she could break free, but she's never known any other way. Her...more
Hardcover, 336 pages
Published
February 8th 2011
by Knopf Books for Young Readers
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I was introduced to this book by a librarian from our public library. What drew me to this book was that the main character named Ally, studied piano at the Julliard school, which happens to be the very school I wish to attend. While reading the book, the similarities between Ally's life and mine were so shocking, that it was as if the author were writing about me! Here are the many ways that our lives parallel each other: we both play the piano, our mothers are professional opera singers, our d...more
Reviewed by teen reviewer Joselyn
This book is about a teenaged pianist named Allegra Katz, or Ally, who is thinking about quitting piano by is scared because she’s been taking piano lesson from when she was four years old. Her mother is a singer and her father a professional violinist. It’s a hard decision for Ally because she studies at Julliard School in New York.
I liked this book because Ally goes through everyday life like everyone else, but she has to try to balance school with the hours sh...more
This book is about a teenaged pianist named Allegra Katz, or Ally, who is thinking about quitting piano by is scared because she’s been taking piano lesson from when she was four years old. Her mother is a singer and her father a professional violinist. It’s a hard decision for Ally because she studies at Julliard School in New York.
I liked this book because Ally goes through everyday life like everyone else, but she has to try to balance school with the hours sh...more
view 1 comment
Feb 17, 2011
Sue Morris
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
teens and young musicians
Recommended to Sue by:
review req. publisher
Shelves:
my-library,
young-adult
4 1/2*
Fourteen year-old Allegra Katz is a piano prodigy who has been taking lessons from Miss Pringle, the best piano teacher at Julliiard School in New York, where 14 year-old Ally attends Pre-College. She has been taking these lessons since the age of 4, practicing at least 4 hours a day plus 2 more on her scales. With so much piano activity Ally has no time for anything else but High School, where she is also involved playing the piano.
Ally's parents are accomplished musicians in their own ri...more
Fourteen year-old Allegra Katz is a piano prodigy who has been taking lessons from Miss Pringle, the best piano teacher at Julliiard School in New York, where 14 year-old Ally attends Pre-College. She has been taking these lessons since the age of 4, practicing at least 4 hours a day plus 2 more on her scales. With so much piano activity Ally has no time for anything else but High School, where she is also involved playing the piano.
Ally's parents are accomplished musicians in their own ri...more
Thirteen Year Old Allegra Katz is a piano prodigy. She studies at Julliard with one of the most acclaimed teachers of all time. Not to mention, she has the best friends in the world. Also, she has parents that expect the very best, for they are very accomplished musicians as well. But is she happy? Her teacher is a very critical teacher that never gives words of encouragement. She expects everything from all of her students. So, when she starts to contemplate this issue, she realizes she wants m...more
This is an emotionally engrossing novel that takes us through four seasons of Ally's life, from almost-thirteen to almost-fourteen. She's been taking piano lessons since the age of four, and now all of her free time is taken up with lessons and classes at Julliard. Ally is torn between loving the piano and wanting to be a normal kid and have free time to spend with her friends. She struggles to find the motivation to practice as much as she should (boy, can I relate to that - I was having flashb...more
Ally Katz is a thirteen-year-old piano genius, having played since she was four years old. She attends a private music school and practices up to six hours a day. She eat, breathes, and sleeps music, especially with very important recital coming up that will determine her musical future. As you can imagine, this rigorous schedule does not leave a lot of time for a social life. With criticisms getting stronger and stress levels rising, Ally begins to long for something outside of playing piano. A...more
It was O.K and I liked it but..... there wasn't really anything THERE for me. All I got from this book is that I'm so very glad I haven't devoted my life to playing an instrument. This is a story about a girl named Ally and her growing up and deciding what to do with her life. Whether to quit piano or to continue even though she hates it sometimes. Even though it was interesting to look through the window at child prodigies and their devotion to their music, I had to run and grab the book to rem...more
Oh how I love a good child prodigy story. And a child PIANO prodigy? Even better. This definitely had me waxing nostalgic for my piano days. Also, being well-written and thoughtful didn't hurt either. My heart was with Ally all the way, particularly during her tough times.
There's a lot of classical music terminology and discussion of different pieces, so this may not appeal so much to folks without that background. HOWEVER, I think it will speak strongly to over-achiever-type teens and young pe...more
There's a lot of classical music terminology and discussion of different pieces, so this may not appeal so much to folks without that background. HOWEVER, I think it will speak strongly to over-achiever-type teens and young pe...more
Reading Level: Grades 6-8
Allegra Katz is going to be a concert pianist. Her family of musicians has know that since she was four. Ally has been attending the Julliard School's Saturday Pre-College Division music program for years. Now Ally is almost thirteen and she longs for a life with more choices. Allegra doesn't know what she wants or even how to tell her parents she is having doubts about her future. If you are born with a tremendous gift MUST you choose it as your life's path?
Other storie...more
Allegra Katz is going to be a concert pianist. Her family of musicians has know that since she was four. Ally has been attending the Julliard School's Saturday Pre-College Division music program for years. Now Ally is almost thirteen and she longs for a life with more choices. Allegra doesn't know what she wants or even how to tell her parents she is having doubts about her future. If you are born with a tremendous gift MUST you choose it as your life's path?
Other storie...more
When I first saw Four Seasons in the library, I passed on it because of the cover. (Pink nail polish doesn't appeal to me too much. And yes I'm guilty of judging books by their covers.) The next time I was there, I decided to try it because after closer examination, I saw it had praise from Gordon Korman (who I like), so I took it.
The lessons learnt here are fairly obvious, and straightforward, but it was a bit too sappy for my taste. I mean, how many times is her mother going to cry?! Maybe thi...more
The lessons learnt here are fairly obvious, and straightforward, but it was a bit too sappy for my taste. I mean, how many times is her mother going to cry?! Maybe thi...more
*Spoiler Alert?
GoodRead's Summary:
Allegra Katz has been playing piano since she was four. But these aren't just any piano lessons. She studies at the Julliard School in New York, where careers are being formed—or not.
Between strict practice schedules, music classes, and regular school, Ally doesn't have time for much else. Sometimes she wishes she could break free, but she's never known any other way. Her parents—a professional violinist and a singer—would kill her if they knew she was thinking...more
GoodRead's Summary:
Allegra Katz has been playing piano since she was four. But these aren't just any piano lessons. She studies at the Julliard School in New York, where careers are being formed—or not.
Between strict practice schedules, music classes, and regular school, Ally doesn't have time for much else. Sometimes she wishes she could break free, but she's never known any other way. Her parents—a professional violinist and a singer—would kill her if they knew she was thinking...more
Reviewed by Marta Morrison for TeensReadToo.com
Ally is a master at playing the piano. She has been taking lessons since she was four. She is now thirteen. She takes lessons from one of the most talented teachers in New York City at the pre-college program at Juilliard.
You have to audition to get into the program, and to stay in the program you have to live and breathe music. She needs to practice at least six hours a day, and she goes to lessons during the week and all day on Saturdays. Her teac...more
Ally is a master at playing the piano. She has been taking lessons since she was four. She is now thirteen. She takes lessons from one of the most talented teachers in New York City at the pre-college program at Juilliard.
You have to audition to get into the program, and to stay in the program you have to live and breathe music. She needs to practice at least six hours a day, and she goes to lessons during the week and all day on Saturdays. Her teac...more
I could definitely relate to this book, probably because I am a pianist myself. I didn't like Ally as much as I should have; but I enjoyed watching her slow journey to her breaking point.
I sometimes consider if it's worth it to quit, and I was going through one of these phases when I was reading this book. Four Seasons did play an influence in my decisions.
I'm still playing piano today. And I love it. :)
I sometimes consider if it's worth it to quit, and I was going through one of these phases when I was reading this book. Four Seasons did play an influence in my decisions.
I'm still playing piano today. And I love it. :)
This book was fascinating to me on so many levels. At the top of that list is the idea that you can be one of the most skilled people in your field, but if you are surrounded all the time only by people who are as good or better than you, then you really can forget how good you actually are. Especially when people you trust are always criticizing and never praising.
I was drawn to this book by its cover. I always love a book that centers around music. This book adeptly shows the pressure that kids at Julliard feel from parents, teachers and peers. The main character is believable and lovably human despite her genious for playing the piano.
Spent forever waiting for something to happen. Though appealing in theory and well written enough to earn a third star, it turned into an "I will finish this or die trying" grudge match. Most intriguing characters: the parents.
Allegra Katz is a very talented pianist attending the Julliard School of Music. However, she is not sure that is exactly what she wants to do with her life anymore, but the expectations of her parents weigh so heavily on her that she feels trapped.
Allegra is selfish, short-sighted, and makes some bad decisions. The writing feels a bit preachy and heavy-handed at times.
Allegra is selfish, short-sighted, and makes some bad decisions. The writing feels a bit preachy and heavy-handed at times.
A bit slow, but very warm, and it made me want to go home and play the piano. Great exploration of the pressure on young people to choose their paths early, particularly in the performing arts.
I only picked up this book because I was looking for a junior "Z" author, but I was pleasantly surprised.
Jun 11, 2013
Marilyn
added it
I enjoyed reading a serious YA novel featuring a serious musician. Refreshing!
I was too bored with it to finish.
This was a typical teenage 'does he like me?' book except for the fact that this teenager goes to Julliard. I had fun reading about all the piano pieces she was learning, otherwise just an okay story line.
Even after almost a year since reading this, I can still relate to it. Being a pianist myself, I totally understand where this girl is coming from.
Silly book about a young girls conflicting desires to become a pianists and to have a normal life. Read Bunheads instead-much better.
Jun 11, 2013
Chloe
marked it as to-read
Jun 07, 2013
Riley
marked it as to-read
Jun 03, 2013
Zehra
marked it as to-read
May 30, 2013
Gabrielle
marked it as to-read
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