BEFIDDLED
by Pedro de Alcantara
Yearling
ISBN-10: 0440420571
ISBN-13: 9780440420576
Ages 8-12
192 pages

Becky Cohen is an ugly duckling hoping to transform herself into a swan. She is unpopular at school, a miserable failure in music class, and a huge disappointment to her mother. If that isn't bad enough, she also has to go through life with totally unmanageable hair. Her only ally is her younger brother Benjy. He writes his own monthly newsletter called "The Splinter" and encourages Becky's dreams of becoming a great violinist.

Becky's overworked mother cannot afford private violin lessons for her. Instead, Becky must take group music lessons at the local Y. Her teacher ridicules her performances in front of the class, and Becky throws up and cries after every lesson. She is about to give up on a musical career altogether until she befriends Mr. Freeman, the building handyman. He teaches her a lot about music and friendship, and also encourages her to enter a scholarship contest at a performing arts high school. Becky has many obstacles to overcome before she can participate in the contest, but the biggest one is her lack of self-confidence.

Pedro de Alcantara is a musician from Brazil who currently lives in Paris and teaches the Alexander Technique, a method used to improve movement. Music lovers of all ages will cheer for Becky Cohen as she struggles to follow her dream. de Alcantara has hit a high note with BEFIDDLED.

   --- Reviewed by Renee Kirchner (renee.kirchner@usa.net)

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