Secret Music

Lawrence knows in every fiber of his soul that he was meant to be a famous concert pianist, but the road to his pinnacle of success--performance on the stage at Carnegie Hall--is a steep and winding one, full of obstacles and family tragedy.

Odie Hawkins utilizes the same thrust, power, and creativity that made Ghetto Sketches his first bestseller. He has moved the focus from Chicago to Los Angeles; and once again, he has populated his stories with unforgettable characters—the telephone freak, the tenants of Mrs. Solomon’s apartment building, and a few surrealistic types. The Secret Music we all hear is echoed within these stories . . .

Word Guild Award for Best Young Adult fiction 2016 Grace Irwin Award 2016 Literary Classics silver medal for Y/A fiction 2016 Shortlisted for the Frank Hegyi Award-Ottawa Independent Writers Literary Classics silver medal for High school fiction 2017 Set in 1936 Montreal, A Secret Music is the story of Lawrence Nolan, a sensitive fifteen-year-old piano prodigy who grows up in the shadow of his mother’s mental illness. Forced to keep this shameful secret, he attempts to raise himself and his ten year old brother. He counteracts the deep ache and creeping mistrust caused by his mother’s emotional absence by escaping into the intense realm of Chopin and Schubert, the only language he understands. When his brother becomes ill, he is left with enormous responsibilities. At a piano competition in Montreal, Lawrence makes a climactic decision that puts his future on hold in order to salvage his family life. In A Secret Music, Susan Doherty Hannaford re-creates the Depression-Era world of Montreal and demonstrates how music can redeem a life.

Ceri is torn by conflicting loyalties to her mother, father and half-sister - When she meets Euan, she senses a person who understands her and the under-sea world that holds her in its spell.

The purpose of this book is to help beginnerslearn the different techniques used when playinggospel music by ear. Playing by ear is not easybut if you follow the simple directions given inthis book, you'll be able to play with confidencein a short time.

Winner of: Parents' Choice Gold Award 2014 National Parenting Publications Awards (NAPPA) Gold Award A children's guidebook to the fantastical characters and creatures found in classical music. The works of Mozart, Tchaikovsky, Verdi, and others are introduced to children through the magical beings from legends and classic tales--including gnomes, fairies, witches, goblins, elves, and wizards--that inspired the composers. An original and interesting way for younger listeners to discover classical music, this book pairs three centuries of music history with stunning and evocative illustrations and includes a glossary of musical terms, a short biography of each composer, and a brief presentation of each extraordinary character. The accompanying CD features 20 excerpts from various recordings performed by world-class luminaries, including the London Philharmonic Orchestra, La Scala Chorus and Orchestra, and the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields.

Includes index.