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Perfect for fans of Roller Girl and New Kid comes a heartfelt coming-of-age story about music, family, and friendship wherein twelve-year-old Lucy Carver must navigate life as band nerd in a new school, all while competing for a top flute soloist spot in band. But for Lucy, facing the music means dealing with the problems at home. Middle school is tough--thank goodness there''s band. For twelve-year-old Lucy Carver, music isn''t just a way of life; it''s an escape from homework and an off-key homelife with her alcoholic father. When Lucy starts seventh grade at Windley School of the Arts, with its high academic standards and even higher artistic expectations, it becomes much harder to keep life in tune. Determined to be the conductor of her own life, Lucy focuses all her energy on beating snobby Tolli Claybourne for first chair flute. As things spiral out of control with her parents and her schoolwork, Lucy grows desperate for a win. Just when she thinks she''s hitting all the right notes, an accident leaves her unable to play and her mother threatens to withdraw her for poor grades. Now Lucy must choose: sabotage Tolli or give up on her dream. Packed with heart, Band Nerd is a poignant coming-of-age story about resilience, family, and using your voice to find harmony even during life''s most discordant moments.
About the author
Sarah Clawson Willis (she/her) writes fiction and nonfiction for children, teens, and occasionally adults. She can usually be found working, as she teaches Latin and writing in addition to being an author. She really, really likes books, band, ancient Rome, animals, and the serial comma. She lives in North Carolina with her family and a smallish menagerie of pets. You can find Sarah on the web at sarahclawsonwillis.com.
Emma Cormarie is a French American animation designer and illustrator originally from Bordeaux, France. While currently based in California, she works remotely with international publishers and studios. When she isn’t working, Emma can be found collecting cat pictures. Band Nerd is her first graphic novel.
Summary
2025 Chicago Public Library Best of the Best Books
A heartfelt coming-of-age story about music, family, and friendship—perfect for fans of Roller Girl and New Kid.
For twelve-year-old Lucy Carver, music isn’t just a way of life, it’s an escape from homework and home life with her alcoholic father. When Lucy starts seventh grade at Windley School of the Arts, with its high academic standards and even higher artistic expectations, it becomes much harder to keep everything in tune.
As things spiral out of control with her parents and her schoolwork, Lucy grows desperate for a win and focuses all her energy on beating snobby Tolli Claybourne for first chair flute. But just when she thinks she’s hitting all the right notes, an accident leaves Lucy unable to play, and her mother threatens to withdraw her for poor grades. Now Lucy must choose: sabotage Tolli or give up on her dream.
