Sign in with Facebook
Loading...
113th out of 170 books
—
427 voters
Notes from an Accidental Band Geek
by
Erin Dionne (Goodreads Author)
Elsie Wyatt is a born French horn player, just like her father and her grandfather before her. In order to qualify for the prestigious summer music camp of her dreams, she must expand her musical horizons and join - gasp! - the marching band. There are no French horns in marching band (what the heck is a mellophone??), but there are some cute boys. And marching band is ver...more
Hardcover, 288 pages
Published
September 1st 2011
by Dial
(first published May 12th 2011)
Friend Reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book,
please sign up.
Community Reviews
(showing
1-30
of
1,153)
Oct 15, 2012
YAL Book Briefs
rated it
1 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
People Who aren't Easily Annoyed
To see full review click here: http://yalbookbriefs.blogspot.com/201...
Confession: When I was in high school I was in band. Actually, I've mentioned that before. What I didn't mention was marching band.
Honestly, some of my worse memories are from marching band. I was a double alternate (i.e. they gave up trying to teach me how to march in step). The ironic thing is, despite this I actually excelled at actually playing my instrument. I was the only one in my school to qualify for the All-State ba...more
Confession: When I was in high school I was in band. Actually, I've mentioned that before. What I didn't mention was marching band.
Honestly, some of my worse memories are from marching band. I was a double alternate (i.e. they gave up trying to teach me how to march in step). The ironic thing is, despite this I actually excelled at actually playing my instrument. I was the only one in my school to qualify for the All-State ba...more
So anyone who has read any of my reviews knows that I'm a sucker for a book about a talented kid whether they be a dancer, singer, soap maker, etc but this is my first one about a marching band member and it kind of made me wish I hadn't quit the clarinet in 8th grade (though it was probably for the best for all concerned, especially those who had to hear me play).
Elsie, a 9th grade French horn player, has only joined marching band so that she can have a required extracurricular to get into an...more
Elsie, a 9th grade French horn player, has only joined marching band so that she can have a required extracurricular to get into an...more
Wow this definitely brought back some memories. If you're a current or former band nerd, I recommend you pick this up, if only for the nostalgia aspect. It's really light but it's a fun read. I was actually surprised how specific the book got. If you've never played an instrument before, you might actually feel a little left out. I didn't understand why Elsie's friends got so upset with her. She was a little abrasive, but nothing serious and even though Elsie made up with her father, I didn't fe...more
Elsie is the daughter and grand-daughter of French horn players who each members of the Boston Symphony. She plans to be the third generation of French Horn players to play for the Boston Symphony. First on her own list of stepping stones to that goal is a summer camp program that requires applicants to have ensemble experience. The only ensemble that will work with Elsie's schedule happens to be her high school's marching band.
Culture shock is a mild term for what happens next as Elsie realize...more
Culture shock is a mild term for what happens next as Elsie realize...more
School Library Journal (October 1, 2011)
Gr 6-9-Elsie has her career path all mapped out: she will become the principal French horn player for the Boston Symphony Orchestra, just like her father and grandfather. The 13-year-old's life has revolved around this single focus for years. It hasn't left much time or space for learning to read people or navigate social situations. All that changes when she grudgingly joins marching band and, against all odds, falls in love with it. This self-absorbed, s...more
Gr 6-9-Elsie has her career path all mapped out: she will become the principal French horn player for the Boston Symphony Orchestra, just like her father and grandfather. The 13-year-old's life has revolved around this single focus for years. It hasn't left much time or space for learning to read people or navigate social situations. All that changes when she grudgingly joins marching band and, against all odds, falls in love with it. This self-absorbed, s...more
Elsie has wanted nothing but to follow in her father's footsteps and be member of the orchestra some day. In order to achieve this dream she has to get into the Shining Birches musical group and she wants to do this her freshman year (no one has ever been admitted into the group as a freshman). But since she must sign up for marching band, she wonders if it will take time away from her French horn practice. On her first day of band practice, she finds out that she won't be playing her French hor...more
4.5 stars
This book was not at all what I was excepting it to be, it was so much better! Talk about a fun, enjoyable read with a main character who's sarcasm, awkward social challenges and desire to enjoy her own life and relish in the moment, made for a story that was both entraining and relatable.
I played band for one year in middle, but have no idea what it's like to be in band in high school, let alone the marching band, but reading Elise's story gave me more of an insight to what they do. Er...more
This book was not at all what I was excepting it to be, it was so much better! Talk about a fun, enjoyable read with a main character who's sarcasm, awkward social challenges and desire to enjoy her own life and relish in the moment, made for a story that was both entraining and relatable.
I played band for one year in middle, but have no idea what it's like to be in band in high school, let alone the marching band, but reading Elise's story gave me more of an insight to what they do. Er...more
3.5 stars really
Originally posted at Random Musings of a Bibliophile.
Notes from an Accidental Band Geek by Erin Dionne is a book I wanted to read because, I'm not going to lie, I was a band geek. Even after I quit band and wasn't in it anymore I was still a band geek. That's where all my friends were. It's like the mafia. Once you're in, death is the only way out.
If you aren't or weren't in band much of this novel will be meaningless to you. You will wonder why these people do what they do. Why...more
Originally posted at Random Musings of a Bibliophile.
Notes from an Accidental Band Geek by Erin Dionne is a book I wanted to read because, I'm not going to lie, I was a band geek. Even after I quit band and wasn't in it anymore I was still a band geek. That's where all my friends were. It's like the mafia. Once you're in, death is the only way out.
If you aren't or weren't in band much of this novel will be meaningless to you. You will wonder why these people do what they do. Why...more
This was simply a fun, fast read that my tired brain was happy to read. The main annoying thing for me was the main character, Elsie. Didn't care much for her parents most of the time either. However, there were reasons she was the way she was. It was a true coming-of-age novel as Elsie realized or learned a lot of things, recognized the need to change, and started to improve--and all in the right ways. A bit of cheese here and there, but not too bad overall.
I think the best part was entering th...more
I think the best part was entering th...more
Notes from an Accidental Band Geek. The title sucked me in, and I had to check it out from the library. I don't regret my decision, but it wasn't the best book either.
My first and foremost problem was the character of Elsie. Elsie was kind of a jerk that I had a problem liking - which is a huge problem, considering that she's the narrator. She was, simply put, a jerk who had virtually no feelings besides "Must. Practice. Horn." She was constantly getting herself into social trouble because of th...more
My first and foremost problem was the character of Elsie. Elsie was kind of a jerk that I had a problem liking - which is a huge problem, considering that she's the narrator. She was, simply put, a jerk who had virtually no feelings besides "Must. Practice. Horn." She was constantly getting herself into social trouble because of th...more
Notes from an Accidental Band Geek by Erin Dionne is the perfect book to hand to your fifth and sixth grade readers who are looking for something a bit more mature, but that is ultimately a clean and fun read. No swearing, one kiss, but all around pleasant and no big drama. I enjoyed reading this book, even as I sometimes vacillated in how much I liked the protagonist, Elsie.
Synopsis: Elsie Wyatt is a born French horn player, just like her father and her grandfather before her. In order to quali...more
Synopsis: Elsie Wyatt is a born French horn player, just like her father and her grandfather before her. In order to quali...more
I am a band geek. So I was expecting this book to be something I could relate to. What I got was a cutesy kids book that did not impress me. Some parts had the potential to be good, but, when combined with the rest of the book, just seemed out of place. It tries to be funny at moments that should be serious. Even more than that, though, I had a problem with the characters. Especially Elsie.
Throughout the book, freshman Elsie develops as an egotistical, over-emotional know-it-all who thinks that...more
Throughout the book, freshman Elsie develops as an egotistical, over-emotional know-it-all who thinks that...more
Dec 26, 2012
Talia Castro
added it
well dis book is abt a freshman named Elsie Wyat.... her mom worries about Elsie’s every breath; her classical musician-superstar dad doesn’t notice her successes; she’s a year younger than everyone else in her class; and thanks to her extreme schedule and over-confident attitude, she has no friends. bt she’s good at The French horn. She’s so good that she’s sure she can get into the summer music program of her dreams…but first she has to survive a season of marching band.
And that’s not going to...more
And that’s not going to...more
Classically trained on the French Horn, Elsie is determined to become the youngest ever to be accepted into the prestigious Shining Birches-- but is this really what she wants for her life or is it more to prove to her Dad (himself a principal horn player with the Boston Symphony Orchestra as was his father) that she is as good if not better than he was? If this wasn't enough pressure to deal with, Elsie finds herself having to join her high school's marching band where she is mortified to learn...more
I always worry that I give a book the "kiss of death" when I say it's sweet, charming or delightful. But I always mean it in the highest regard and we still do need some novels to be sweet, charming or delightful. Notes From An Accidental Band Geek is all three!
Ms. Dionne has crafted a story that wraps you up and pulls you into its pages. Fans of her previous novel, Total Tragedy of a Girl Named Hamlet will love Notes.
Her characters are believable (who doesn't know a 13 year-old girl that can be...more
Ms. Dionne has crafted a story that wraps you up and pulls you into its pages. Fans of her previous novel, Total Tragedy of a Girl Named Hamlet will love Notes.
Her characters are believable (who doesn't know a 13 year-old girl that can be...more
Notes From an Accidental Band Geek is by Erin Dionne. Elsie Wyatt is a high-schooler with high ambitions, to get into Shining Birches (A very prestigious orchestra thingy,) and nothing can get in her way. Even if that means joining marching band to fit the requirements. But this place-filler turns out to be much harder and--more fun?--than anticipated. Elsie must use her new experiences to learn much more about life than just how to play the mellophone. This book was overall lame. Yes, she does...more
Confession: I will always be a band geek at heart. My junior high and high school years were spent marching around fields and up and down neighborhood streets in parade formation in my small town, riding the band bus, and ogling the boys in the trumpet section. So really...was there any way I was NOT going to like this book? Probably not... but I didn't just like it - I loved it.
Elsie Wyatt is a great twist on the classic fish-out-of-water story, a classic orchestra kid who's forced to join marc...more
Elsie Wyatt is a great twist on the classic fish-out-of-water story, a classic orchestra kid who's forced to join marc...more
Elsie was almost too hard for me to handle. I understand that this was a book about growth, and that she's socially awkward and under a lot of pressure, but she was mean, insensitive, and not a particularly engaging narrator. (That's not to say she's not a realistic high school student, but it does mean it's hard to care about her.) I was also irritated by the author's weird name switches for things, such as the "Darcy's Thanksgiving Day Parade" and the popular vampire movie, Dusk. I'm not sure...more
I was up all night reading this book. And it was fantastic. It was something I can relate to not only with the marching band, a few of the friend problems but ESPECIALLY the mellophone playing. I know many people don't know what a mello is but those players out there that pick this book up probably appreciate it more than you think. It also reminded me of my high school and their rivalry. I'm sure that if something happened to the eagles, our players would come through and help. I loved Punk :)...more
Elsie is a talented (perhaps even prodigious) French Horn player, who is painfully clueless socially. She is entering high school at age 13, giving her parents cause for pause, they worry – correctly- that she is unready for the social challenge of high school. She has been so immersed in her music that she is extremely clumsy with other people’s feelings.
To enhance her musical resume she must join the marching band. She is not happy about this – she is an ensemble player- not a horn blatting m...more
To enhance her musical resume she must join the marching band. She is not happy about this – she is an ensemble player- not a horn blatting m...more
This was a delightful book. Give this to your band kids, music kids in general. It is for that audience, or someone who is curious about the band. Our heroine is a "serious" musician, and is incensed that she must play in the school marching band. Her father is a french horn player with the Boston Symphony, one of the very best, and she has her sights on being just as good as (or better than!) her father. Elsie has given her life to practing, to the detriment of her social skills. Suddenly, she...more
Though this book is shelved in the young adult area of the library from which I borrowed it, I had trouble deciding whether it was truly YA or not. Elsie's experiences starting ninth grade were completely authentic, and reflected quite accurately the emotions and events of that time period in my own life. Because Elsie seems so innocent, though, and because she is afforded very little independence thanks to her overprotective parents, the story reads a lot more like a middle grade novel. I actua...more
Erin's writing is fabulous! She grabbed my attention from the get go and I really enjoyed reading this book. This is truly one of those fun, quick reads that left me feeling like I truly missed out on all the fun of Marching Band in high school. Oh, I can't forget to mention the sweet little romance that happens in the story. This is one of those realistic, clean cut and dare I say it, charming books that middle graders, teens and older YA fans will like. I highly recommend picking up this book!...more
Loved the title, enjoyed the book! Any "band geek" will be able to relate to this book. Else did drive me nuts at time with her selfish attitude but then again...she is a freshman and did a lot of growing up during the course of the book! This is the first book I've read that accurately portrays all that goes into a marching band performance, the camaraderie among the members, working together to create something larger than yourself, and the feeling of pride in making amazing music. (Not to men...more
Freshly disappointed by the sequel to Band Geek Love and searching out all of Goodreads' alternate suggestions for "girls who live for band" stories, I recognized this author and added it to my queue. This is SO much better than either of the aforementioned books! Even though the main character is much younger and therefore a bit less "that's so me!", that really just means it's cuter and more positive overall. I started out giving serious side-eye to these marching band idiots acting like a fra...more
Cute story, but it really didn't do much for me. And quite hip oneself,I didn't like the main character.
Elsie is one of the most dedicated music students out there. And shes determined to be one of the youngest students to get into the most prestigious music programs. But in order to be considered, she must perform in an ensemble. So, begrudgingly, she joins her school marching band. Uuuggghh. But despite her lack of friends and snippy attitude, she's immediately accepted into this crazy band fa...more
Elsie is one of the most dedicated music students out there. And shes determined to be one of the youngest students to get into the most prestigious music programs. But in order to be considered, she must perform in an ensemble. So, begrudgingly, she joins her school marching band. Uuuggghh. But despite her lack of friends and snippy attitude, she's immediately accepted into this crazy band fa...more
The whole reason I picked up this book in the first place was because I am a band geek myself (by choice, not accidentally) and I couldn't help but be interested. I found the representation of high school marching band in this book to be pretty accurate which made me happy. It brought back memories of the ups and downs of my own high school band. The only drawback I came upon was Elsie's attitude until the end. There were parts where I really wanted to knock some sense into her for how stupid sh...more
Charming coming of age tale a la marching band style. Elsie is pretentious and exclusively focused on her musical career, aiming to follow in her father's orchestral footsteps. Marching Band as a freshman in high school is a convenient means to an end but along the way she learns about being a part of something bigger than herself, friendship, romance, and how to balance ambition with moderation. She's often selfish, immature, and self-serving, but ultimately she grows into a better human being....more
Elise missed an important audition date during the summer due to a family vacation. So she is joining the marching band to get credit for an ensemble to take the audition later. She has to give up her French horn for the mellophone as her French horn is too big and heavy to play on a parade route. But she finds the mellophone difficult to play since she is used to playing the French horn. As she gets into learning the new horn and doing the drills, she learns about friends and boyfriends. Maybe...more
It was a nice book, I didn't think I would like it. And I did.. mostly. Though I disliked Elsie for a big part of the book. I can imagine she is stressed, has lots of pressure and more, but still she acted like a bitch a lot. She was mean to people who meant nice, who tried to be her friends.
I think she should have stopped and thought about things. Should she really do all that or just drop one or two things, sure her parents might have not liked it, but hey, she is still young and has all the...more
I think she should have stopped and thought about things. Should she really do all that or just drop one or two things, sure her parents might have not liked it, but hey, she is still young and has all the...more
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| My Strange Book A...: December 2012 | 4 | 3 | Dec 02, 2012 03:16pm |
I write books for tweens, teens, and anyone who survived junior high.
Please note: I have changed my review policy. I'll no longer be using the star rating system--I'm an author, not a reviewer or editor, and I'd rather support other authors by not ranking their books. I write honest (brief) reviews for each book I read, so please look to those to find out what I loved.
More about Erin Dionne...
Please note: I have changed my review policy. I'll no longer be using the star rating system--I'm an author, not a reviewer or editor, and I'd rather support other authors by not ranking their books. I write honest (brief) reviews for each book I read, so please look to those to find out what I loved.
Share This Book
1 trivia question
1 quiz
More quizzes & trivia...
1 quiz
Mar 14, 2013 10:15am
Mar 14, 2013 10:44am