Whether you’re nuts for Nirvana, crazy for classical, or have a passion for punk, it’s hard to imagine not turning to your favourite music through troubled times and happy days. It’s no surprise that some great YA is riddled with musical references and crazy tales of bands, fans and everything in-between. Join us as we revisit the books that celebrate the power of music...
Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan
After a hard and messy breakup, heartbroken Nick’s only solace is found in New York’s indie music scene. Meanwhile Norah, the daughter of a famous music-producer, feels lost and unsatisfied with life and the city. After a chance meeting at a concert, Nick and Norah spend the night hunting down an elusive, underground band rumoured to play a secret gig somewhere that night. Although they’ve never met before, their mutual taste in music bonds them tighter than they could imagine, and together they embark on a journey of mayhem and self-discovery. If you haven’t already, check out the film adaptation starring Michael Cera and Kat Dennings.
This Song Will Save Your Life by Leila Sales
16-year-old misfit Elise Dembowski has never had much luck making friends. After years of bullying at school, she’s now determined to transform herself before college begins...but things doesn’t go to plan. Fed-up and alone, Elise believes there’s only one solution left - to kill herself. It’s only when she meets a group of quirky musicians and DJs that her life changes for the better, and Elise finally discovers both a deep love of the DJ-scene and true friendship. A funny, sharp tale about the unifying power of music, This Song Will Save Your Life even includes a list of “recommended listening”, so you too can dance along to Elise’s favourite tunes.
High Fidelity by Nick Hornby
Life isn’t going so well for Rob. His latest girlfriend has just left him, and the record shop he owns, Championship Vinyl, is failing miserably. Alongside his co-workers Dick and Barry, Rob spends his days compiling list after list of songs, until he one day starts to chart his “top five break-ups” and revisits the failed relationships of his past. What follows is a journey that questions love, life and the ever-strong bond between music and memory.
The Vinyl Princess by Yvonne Prinz
Music-lover Allie is having the best summer of her life - with a cool new job at Bob and Bob records, she spends every day surrounded by her favourite vinyl and favourite people, devoted to the records she loves so dearly. She then decides to take her passion one step further - after creating an online alias, The Vinyl Princess, Allie launches her very own blog to chart anything and everything about her favourite LPs. However, things start to change when Allie’s parents separate. Now, she must learn to cope with a broken home life and an ever-declining business, but with a love of music to see her through, life might not be too bleak after all.
Hidden Voices: The Orphan Musicians of Venice by Pat Lowery Collins
Fancy journeying back to tunes of times gone by? Hidden Voices is the story of three young orphans in the heart of Renaissance Venice. Studying under the renowned musician Vivaldi, Anetta, Luisa and Rosalba come to master the art of the world’s finest music, as well as contend with questions of sexuality and unrequited love. A must-read for those who prefer their Beethoven to their Beyonce.
Being Friends With Boys by Terra Elan McAvoy
Charlotte has always considered herself “one of the guys”. Coming from a female-filled household, it’s refreshing to spend her days with band members Oliver, Abe and Trip, and she finds herself drawn more and more into the heart of their musical world. Not only does she manage the band, but with plenty of lyrical flair, she finds herself writing their songs, and fast becomes the creative brain behind the music. When a new boy enters the scene, however, the musical bliss is disrupted. Charlotte must learn to rediscover the harmony that once bound these friends together.
I Wanna Be Your Joey Ramone by Stephanie Kuenhert
Punk rock is more than just music to Emily Black - it’s a way of life. With a guitar-playing father and a punk-loving mother, the music world has always been the only world she knows. There’s just one thing missing. When she was only a baby, her mother ran away to follow a life of gigs and guitars, never to return. Now that Emily’s older, she resolves to bring her mother home once and for all - by becoming the next big star of punk. With a band of her own and an unyielding determination, Emily embarks on the most important quest of her life, with her favourite songs by her side every step of the way.
In Bloom by Matthew Crow
This raw, powerful coming-of-age tale follows the story of 15-year-old Francis Wootton, a witty, music-loving boy with a lot to give. The novel begins with his first ever memory - the suicide of Kurt Cobain - and charts his often troubled home life from thereon in, where the music scenes that fascinate him are a far cry from his quiet town of Tyne and Wear. When Francis is diagnosed with leukaemia, he fears his world will never be the same and begins to give up all hopes and dreams. Only when he meets the resilient, feisty Amber does he realise that life is only just beginning.
Have you read any books about music that touched you? Let us know your favourites on Twitter @GdnChildrensBks or email us at childrens.books@theguardian.com and we’ll add them to this blog!
