SOLVED. Book about a young boy who is having trouble at home and plays tuba... [s]

[Sydney]

I read this book about 3 or 4 years ago. Its a boy that has either an alcoholic father, or just one that doesn't pay much attention to him. I remember vividly that he played tuba and it sounded like a frog at first, and eventually he plays in the school recital and is moved by the music.

Thanks in advance for your time :)

[Rebecca]

Possibly You Don't Know Me by David Klass.



He is being abused by his mother's alcoholic boyfriend and is learning to play the tuba.

Quotes from Amazon:
I do not play the tuba. The tuba plays me.

My tuba is actually not a tuba, because it has never produced a musical sound. It is actually a giant frog pretending to be a tuba.

Later references using the "search inside" feature on Amazon indicate the school recital.

(view spoiler)[He actually misses playing in the recital/concert because he's been too badly beaten by his mother's boyfriend. His jaw is wired shut, and he has a cast over most of his face. He is in the audience at the concert, and an old professor plays the piece he was supposed to play in honor of him. This piece was titled "The Love Song of the Bullfrog". (hide spoiler)]