Florenda Little has always wanted to play in a band. Surrounded by the sounds of music in her small Louisiana town, she is thrilled when her school announces a new band class starting after summer break. But when a visit to the local music store with her mother reveals that the instrument she wants to play is beyond their budget, Florenda faces a tough challenge. Will she be able to play the instrument she’s dreamed of, or will her musical aspirations have to wait?
Florenda Little has always wanted to play in a band. Surrounded by the sounds of music in her small Louisiana town, she is thrilled when her school announces a new band class starting after summer break. But when a visit to the local music store with her mother reveals that the instrument she wants to play is beyond their budget, Florenda faces a tough challenge. Will she be able to play the instrument she’s dreamed of, or will her musical aspirations have to wait?
Summer sunshine and fun were upon us. Knowing there would be a new band class made me even more excited about school starting again. But, hey, you want to enjoy summer, too. The bus ride home was at its normal sound.
Nate was telling his jokes, which he thought were funny.
“Hey, Florenda, what do you get when a crocodile has a toothache?”
“An angry crocodile,” I said.
“No, an upset dentist.”
Of course, it was only funny to Nate, but I giggled a little.
“Hey, Florenda, want to hang out some this summer?” asked Lilly.
“Sure,” I said.
It would be fun to hang out with someone other than Nate in the neighborhood. But Nate was just being Nate. We had been friends since third grade. Coming from the foster care system, I stayed to myself. Nate was nice and always tried to make me laugh. I remember Nate would get so excited when he tried to tell me something I would have to tell him to slow down to understand him. I must have told him to slow down too many times because he finally talks at a normal pace.
When we arrived at my bus stop, I said,
“See you over the summer, Nate. You, too, Lilly.”
“See you later, Florenda,” said Nate and Lilly in unison.
I took the key out of my bookbag to unlock the door. My mom had not made it home from work yet. I dropped my bookbag on the couch and headed toward the kitchen. Yum, leftover spaghetti. I will eat that later, I thought. Friday nights were usually my mom’s late nights at work. So that meant leftovers. But for now, I wanted a quick snack, so I grabbed the last bag of potato chips from the cabinet.
With potato chips in hand, I headed back to the couch to relax, turned on the TV, and waited for Mom to get home.
I must have fallen asleep on the couch. When I awoke, Mom was coming through the door. It was seven-thirty in the evening.
“Hey, Flo. How was the last day of school?” asked Mom as she kissed me on my forehead and sat beside me on the couch.
“Oh, Mom, it was amazing,” I said. “Mr. Neil announced that when school starts again, we will have a new class! Band!” I said excitedly.
“Well, I know that was the best news ever,” said Mom.
“So, Mom, can we go look at instruments soon?” I asked.
There was only one music store in our town, and since we did not know how many students were going to take part in the new band class, I wanted to go early.
“Yes, we will visit it soon,” said Mom. “Have you eaten yet?”
“Not yet, just this bag of chips. I was going to eat later, but I fell asleep.”
“Okay, sweetie. Let me change out of this nursing uniform. I will heat the spaghetti in the microwave and join you on the couch.”
***
The next day was the weekend, so I did not have to wake up early. Mom had to work because they were still short-staffed at the senior citizens’ center. Since moving to Louisiana, my mom has worked as a nurse there for about two years. She started when she finally completed nursing school. So, weekends and late nights were fairly common.
It was just my mom and me. I was adopted. My mom started off as my foster care parent when I was ten years old. I was so excited when the adoption became final. Being an older kid in foster care can be hard. But things have worked out for me. My mom is the best. She is now taking some other classes as her work schedule allows her to become an advanced nurse. She always works hard to make sure I have everything I need.
As I rolled over in my bed, I could smell the aroma of bacon and eggs coming from the kitchen. I grabbed a pair of socks and headed to the kitchen. Sure enough, bacon and eggs.
“Good morning, Flo,” said Mom.
“Good morning, Mom,” I said. “What time do you have to go to work today?” I asked.
“One o’clock p.m.,” said Mom. “I am only there for four hours, so I will be home before dinner. You will spend the day with the Lyles while I am at work.”
“Okay,” I said. I was too busy thinking about all the news I had to share with Mr. and Mrs. Lyles.
Old Wellstone School is getting a band and Florenda “Flo” Little has her sights set on playing the clarinet in this heartwarming and delightful children's story.
School is just about to let out for the summer in Louisiana when we meet Flo in the Introduction. Flo hears that her school will have a band and a new band class next year. It’s a dream come true for Flo. She’s grown up listing to jazz, attending local jazz festivals, and hearing instrumental sounds.
Coming from the foster care system, Florenda stays to herself. But her friends Nate and Lilly always have her back. So do Flo’s kindly retired neighbors, Mr. and Mrs. Lyle, and Gloria, Flo’s adoptive mom. Gloria is a nurse at a senior citizens’ center.
Anticipating the start of a new school year and joining the new school band, Flo and her mom visit a music store to purchase a clarinet. But money is tight and new instruments are expensive. Still, Flo is determined to get a clarinet. She finds ways to earn money during her summer break. She works hard at various odd jobs. But by summer’s end Flo still doesn’t have enough money to buy a clarinet.
That’s where the Lyles come in. Turns out Mrs. Lyle used to teach music. She also used to play the clarinet. In fact, Mrs. Lyle still has her instrument, which she gives to Flo.
Once school starts, Flo enrolls in band class. She works hard to do her best at chair placement performances. Flo works so hard, in fact, that her mom and her friends Lilly and Nate know when Flo needs a break and make sure she gets one. A former musician and music teacher, Mrs. Lyle offers to help Flo with extra practice as Flo prepares for her final chair placement performance and the band’s winter concert. Does Flo have a chance at first chair and a solo part in the winter concert?
Undergirded by sturdy writing and a nimble plot, An Instrument for Florenda is a rich, warm read. Each scene and setting glides seamlessly into the next and will keep readers turning pages until the very end. I especially loved the way Mom, the Lyles and Florenda’s friends support and encourage her as she practices and learns how to play her chosen instrument. Ditto how the story emphasizes positive character qualities like determination, kindness, perseverance, and hard work. Indeed, this book will resonate with music lovers and encourage all readers to explore music and music appreciation. It even sneaks in a little music education without sounding like school. Bravo! Bravissimo!
On a personal note (pun intended,) this book took me back to band class, seasonal school concerts, and hours and hours of practice and lessons. (Wait. Do I hear Mozart’s Clarinet Concerto in A Major? If you've never heard that piece, you really, really should. Because it's Seriously Awesome. And the clarinet is heartbreakingly beautiful.)
Music and band lovers will enjoy this book. So will anyone who loves a story brimming with heart and hope. Grab your copy today!
My Rating: 4.5.