Books about music for readers aged 8+
Music is hugely important in our lives – whether we’re listening or playing an instrument ourselves. Here are some brilliant books that will have readers of 8+ tapping their feet in appreciation.
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Secrets of a Rebel Rock Star
Author: Nat Amoore
Publisher: Rock the Boat
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9+Can Mac and his new friend Flynn create a musical to save their teachers? Pulsing with a love of music, this is funny and heart-warming – and a call to save the arts in education.
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Can You Feel the Noise
Author: Stewart Foster
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9+Author Stewart Foster – who also experienced hearing loss as a teenager – explores the challenges around disability and deafness, the ups and downs of changing friendships, and rediscovering your confidence when things take an expected turn. Sophie is highly relatable and this is a sensitively told and emotionally engaging character-driven story.
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Finding My Voice
Author: Aoife Dooley
Publisher: Scholastic
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9+When Frankie starts secondary school, she wants to make friends and be cool, but also be herself and not be too different. How can she find her voice?
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The Horne Section: Make Some Noise
Author: Alex Horne Illustrator: Rob Flowers
Publisher: Puffin
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 8+This bumper guide to all things musical is packed full of weird, wonderful and fascinating music-related information. The chatty style, abundance of jokes and black-and-white illustrations make the book accessible to a range of readers.
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Kofi and the Rap Battle Summer
Author: Jeffrey Boakye Illustrator: Beth Suzanna
Publisher: Faber and Faber
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9+Kofi is always coming up with ways to make money and when he discovers his friend Kelvin can remember every song lyric, it’s time to hit the big time! Funny and packed with brilliant dialogue, readers will fall for the irrepressible Kofi and his crazy schemes.
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Barakah Beats
Author: Maleeha Siddiqui
Publisher: Scholastic
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9+Nimra battles to understand her interpretation of Islam and whether it allows her to sing in a band or not. It is refreshing to find a book written by an author who understands the complexity of relationships between three generations from a Muslim immigrant heritage.
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Speak Up!
Author: Rebecca Burgess
Publisher: Quill Tree Books
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9+Mia is a secret superstar musician, writing song lyrics that her friends love. But in real life she’s bullied for being different. Is Mia ready to show the world who she really is?
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Nina: A Story of Nina Simone
Author: Traci N. Todd Illustrator: Christian Robinson
Publisher: Scribble
Interest age: 6-11
Reading age: 6+Set against the backdrop of the American Civil Rights movement, this formidable picture book explores the life of acclaimed Black singer and musician, Nina Simone. A thought-provoking, multi-layered tale.
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Music is My Life
Author: Myles Tanzer Illustrator: Ali Mac
Publisher: Wide Eyed Editions
Interest age: 10-14
Reading age: 10+An illustrated guide to finding the soundtrack to the good, bad or sad times in your life.
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Beyoncé: Queen of the Spotlight
Author: Ebony Joy Wilkins
Publisher: Stripes
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9+From her early childhood to her rise in becoming one of the biggest international stars of all time, this account of Beyoncé's incredible life is packed with trivia, extra facts and the inspiring message that if you really want something to work, you'll make it happen.
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Mic Drop: A High Rise Mystery
Author: Sharna Jackson
Publisher: Knights Of
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9+The second in Sharna Jackson’s High Rise Mystery books sees Nik and Norva return with another crime to solve on their home turf.
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KidGlovz
Author: Julie Hunt and Dale Newman
Publisher: Allen & Unwin
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9+This stunning pencil-drawn graphic novel of talent, music and friendship will readers young and old. You'll be rooting for KidGlovz, the nine-year-old musical prodigy: a poignant story to be remembered for a long time.
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Music Legends
Author: Herve Guilleminot and Jerome Masi
Publisher: Wide Eyed Editions
Interest age: 7-10
Reading age: 7+An informative, fun and cool guide to 40 of the greatest musical acts of the modern era, perfect for any young fans keen to learn more about their favourite bands.
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Radio Boy
Author: Christian O’Connell
Publisher: HarperCollins
Interest age: 8-12
Reading age: 8-11Spike starts a radio show from his shed, under an anonymous identity: 'Radio Boy'. A very funny book that will have tweens and upper primary school children in stitches, with real heart and well-rounded characters.
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Boyband of the Apocalypse
Author: Tom Nicoll Illustrator: David O’Connell
Publisher: Stripes Publishing
Interest age: 10-12
Reading age: 10-12Pacey and page-turning, follow Sam on his quest for stardom – and saving the world (well, hopefully). Several twists and turns keep him, Lexi and his best friend Milo on their toes in a story that is both fun and funny, pulling out all the stops when it comes to boyband humour.
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Diary of a Trainee Rock God
Author: Jonathan Meres Illustrator: Jake McDonald
Publisher: Barrington Stoke
Interest age: 7+
Reading age: 8+Darren's uncool Dad has set him three musical clues. If he solves the puzzles, he'll get an electric guitar for his birthday, the first essential step to becoming a rock god...
