Home › Books for Ages 9–12 › Band Nerd: A Graphic Novel
  • Band Nerd: A Graphic Novel by Sarah Clawson Willis book cover
  • Band Nerd: A Graphic Novel by Sarah Clawson Willis book cover
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Band Nerd: A Graphic Novel

by Sarah Clawson Willis

Music, friendship, and a difficult choice

$16.27 USD
$27.12 USD $16.27 USD
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Awards & Recognition

  • Editorial selection

    2025 Chicago Public Library Best of the Best Books

    Listed as a 2025 Chicago Public Library Best of the Best Book.

AlbakiReads Editorial

Music, friendship, and a difficult choice

Lucy Carver enters seventh grade at an arts-focused school hoping to keep music as an escape from troubles at home. But pressure over schoolwork and her parents’ problems complicates her drive to win first chair flute. When an accident leaves her unable to play and her mother threatens to pull her from school, Lucy faces a choice involving both her ambition and her rival, Tolli Claybourne. Framed as a coming-of-age graphic novel, the story brings together music, family strain, friendship, and competition, with Lucy’s place in school and her flute dream under pressure.

Good fit for readers who enjoy

  • Kids ages 9–12 interested in graphic novels about school and friendship
  • Readers drawn to stories about music, family challenges, and competition

Themes

Music and artistic ambitionFriendship and rivalryFamily difficultiesSchool pressure and academic expectations

Based on publisher information and book metadata.

Book overview

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.

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Eligible items can be returned within 30 days in accordance with our return policy.

Customer reviews

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Malaika Taylor

I highly recommend to for anyone looking for inner clarity

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Thomas DiMassa

Great service and fast service

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Ella

Great shopping experience! The book arrived quickly, was well packaged, and matched the description perfectly. I would definitely shop with you again

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Olivia

Smooth.