Although this seems quite a deviation from Ferdinand’s classical routes, don’t be deceived by the title. Rather than this being a story about how to become an incredibly gnarley electric guitarist, it’s about composing a musical. Watterson the musical, a production to save the music department of Watterson Primary!
What a noble pursuit!
Ferdinand's and my interest in all things musical and literary, stems from a big dream. To champion musical novels, encourage children to create stories through music, and to also have Violetta and the Venetian Violin and consequent other titles, narrated by the eminent Essie Davis—otherwise known as Miss Fisher. (More on that later).
Therefore, we listened to the audiobook of this story. After all, music is wonderful in the imaginary sense, but it’s even better when actually heard, providing the soundtrack to a marvellous tale.
The Right Way to Rock by Nat Amoore is written in three acts, like many, however this one tells us so. It’s cleverly and creatively composed like a script; with a scene description, and often a song from a musical at the beginning of each chapter. The most agreeable thing is that the words are changed; including this gem sung to the tune of 'Food, Glorious Food' from Oliver!
'School, glorious school
Is it really vital?
It's not all that cool
And I'm feeling quite ill.
Reading, writing and algebra
What next? Not a maths test!
We're only here for one thing—
It's called recess!'
The tale begins with the musical Hamilton, our protagonist Mac, and a hair-brush performance in the shower. We’ve all been there at one stage of our lives, singing our hearts out before we knew someone may be listening. The scourge that befalls us all. Mac, fortunately, is still oblivious and when he is hassled to hurry by Morning Mum, we discover she isn't his real Mum. Mac’s real mum is a rocker. A true rocker, wearing t-shirts of the bands whom Mac and his little brother Stevie derive their namesake.
I’ll leave you to imagine whom.
Musical Mac began guitar lessons at four. Whilst band practice has long taken priority over homework and he has lived in an environment encouraging musical expression… There are parameters. All music must be rock. Therefore, when Mac deviates from his family’s preferred genre, his love of musicals must remain secret. He sneaks out after school and joins an underground broadway society—an amazing experience taking place in a theatre.
Luckily, Mac’s mum works late at a club, so at first, she doesn’t notice. Although her job is challenging, Open Mike Night allows her to endure. ‘The music keeps her going’, but now the club is replacing live music with pokie machines. Poor Mac has a lot to deal with, too. His school is amalgamating the school arts department into ‘creative action’, dissolving into a mishmash of subjects led by the P.E. teacher. With sport at one end of the priority list and music down the other, Mac needs to release his anger, and listening to the musical Annie proves the most effective tonic.
Like many middle-grade books, this book deals with big themes. First, the arts industry. The value placed upon music and music education, the predominance of businesses practices emphasising profits, and whether the arts will endure in the future.
Many of us are familiar with the struggles. It’s often easier to give up, get a haircut and a proper job; and whilst I cut my hair myself and work part time in a pharmacy—like our protagonist Mac—I’m not ready to quit yet.
There is also something more unique about this story. One of the main characters is a very talented pianist who suffers from Tourette’s syndrome. Something he shares with the narrator.
Seamus Evans, the narrator of The Right Way to Rock, has developed strategies enabling him to speak to enormous rooms of people and work as a television presenter. Whilst I picked up this book mainly for musical interest, it made absolute sense to have the audiobook narrated by someone who could portray the character with integrity. There were many wonderful things about the audiobook, a substantial number of gherkins—the reasons for which will become clear—and many adult characters with very distinctive personalities. A very challenging task! Whilst I must admit Seamus Evans isn’t the most tuneful singer, there was an authentic quality about it, making it more relatable and realistic than an operatic tenor.
So, for fans of musicals, this is a book for you. No doubt the tunes will be so familiar, that as you read, you’ll be able to sing the songs from Oliver, Hairspray, Annie and Hamilton in your head. However, knowing the background of the audiobook, I believe it is an unmissable part of the story. Something that adds to the narrative in a way just as integral as the music. I am very pleased I came across it, and I hope you can listen and enjoy it too.
#middlegradebooks, #rightwaytorock, #musicalbooksforchildren, #booksaboutmusicals, #hamiltonthemusical, #creatingstoriesthroughmusic, #musicalbookreview, #oliverthemusical, #anniethemusical. #hairspraythemusical #violettaandthevenetianviolin
Comments