Guitar Boy - by Mj Auch (Paperback)

About the Book

Book Synopsis

Travis Tacey doesn't have it easy: his mom's in the hospital suffering from brain trauma after a terrible car accident, and his father has lost his good sense in the aftermath and kicked him out. Homeless, penniless, and only fourteen years old, Travis tries to make money off of his singing and guitar playing skills. But when his beloved guitar--a family heirloom--is stolen, Travis grows desperate. By a stroke of luck, he gets a job helping a guitar maker. Through Travis's love of music, his devotion to his family, and the kindness of strangers, he begins to find his way in the world. But in Guitar Boy by MJ Auch, how will he keep his family together?

Review Quotes

"Surviving through the kindness of strangers, especially a guitar-maker and his friends who refrain from alerting child services, Travis discovers that music is the key to healing his mother and his family." --School Library Journal

"This effort quickly hits its stride, mostly due to well-drawn, believable characters and the strength of Travis's nearly indomitable spirit." --Kirkus Reviews

"Guitar Boy fills a hole in boys' literature for intermediate to tween readers by telling an empowering story about a very normal boy whose life has completely unraveled. . . . This is the book I'll be recommending to every kid in my neighborhood near Travis' age." --Rebecca Waesch, Joseph-Beth, Cincinnati, OH

About the Author

M. J. Auch is the award-winning author of One-Handed Catch, Wing Nut, and numerous other books for young readers. Books were a part of M. J.'s life from an early age; her mother was a second grade teacher who always made sure there were plenty of books in the house. M. J. now lives on a small farm in upstate New York with her husband and co-illustrator, Herm, and their two dogs, Sophie and Zeke.