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Métier
Iz the Apocalypse
A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection!
A fierce voice longs to break free. A spark ignites inside fourteen-year-old Iz Beaufort when she hears school music group Manifesto perform. Even though she hasn't written a song since That Place, she recognizes herself in the moving performance and longs to be part of the group, certain that they might actually understand her. But Manifesto is based at the prestigious Métier School, and Iz has bounced through twenty-six foster homes. Plus, there's no way Dominion Children's Care would ever send a foster kid to a private school when a public option is available. So Iz does what any passionate, broken, off-the-chart wunderkind might and takes matters into her own hands. Iz fakes her way in only to face a new set of tuition fees, tough classwork, and new classmates she can't immediately identify as friends or foes. And if she can't handle all this while keeping how she got into Métier a secret, she could get kicked out of both school and her current home. But a life with music―a life where Iz gets to have a voice―might be worth risking everything. "A compassionate, character-driven story that will particularly resonate with music lovers." - Kirkus "Highly Recommended." - CM Canadian Review of Materials A White Pine Award nominee!
A fierce voice longs to break free. A spark ignites inside fourteen-year-old Iz Beaufort when she hears school music group Manifesto perform. Even though she hasn't written a song since That Place, she recognizes herself in the moving performance and longs to be part of the group, certain that they might actually understand her. But Manifesto is based at the prestigious Métier School, and Iz has bounced through twenty-six foster homes. Plus, there's no way Dominion Children's Care would ever send a foster kid to a private school when a public option is available. So Iz does what any passionate, broken, off-the-chart wunderkind might and takes matters into her own hands. Iz fakes her way in only to face a new set of tuition fees, tough classwork, and new classmates she can't immediately identify as friends or foes. And if she can't handle all this while keeping how she got into Métier a secret, she could get kicked out of both school and her current home. But a life with music―a life where Iz gets to have a voice―might be worth risking everything. "A compassionate, character-driven story that will particularly resonate with music lovers." - Kirkus "Highly Recommended." - CM Canadian Review of Materials A White Pine Award nominee!
290 pages, Paperback
Published September 1, 2023
3 people are currently reading
97 people want to read
About the author
Susan Currie
10 books7 followersSusan Currie is an elementary teacher of 26 years, with an MA in English Literature and an ARCT in piano performance from the Royal Conservatory. Before becoming a teacher, she worked as a musician in such jobs as music director, accompanist, organist, choir director, dinner music performer, vocal coach and piano teacher.
Susan is also an adoptee who was in foster care in her earliest life. When she grew up, she went looking for her birth family and learned the amazing fact that her mother’s side of the family is Haudenosaunee—from the Cayuga Nation, and the Turtle Clan. She learned about the rich history and culture of the Cayuga, about her family roots at the Six Nations of the Grand River, and also about the devastating role that residential school (the Mohawk Institute in Brantford, Ontario) played in creating the inherited trauma that runs through her biological family. This knowledge, although it contained dark aspects, was a source of tremendous joy for her. Finally, for the first time, she felt like she cast a shadow.
Susan’s novels include: Basket of Beethoven (2001, Fitzhenry & Whiteside); The Mask that Sang (2016, Second Story Press); Iz the Apocalypse (2023, Common Deer Press), and Fierce Voice (Common Deer Press, Fall 2025). She has also written three nonfiction books for Saunders Publishing: Haudenosaunee: the People and Nations (2024), Amazing Women in Canada: Autumn Peltier (2024) and Indigenous Peoples: Cayuga (Fall 2025). Her novels have been finalists for the Ontario Silver Birch Award, the Hackmatack Award, the Manitoba Young Reader’s Choice Award, the CODE Burt Award, the Ontario Library Association White Pine Award, the Canadian Library Association Book of the Year for Children, and the Bank Street College of Education Best Books of the Year. Her books have also been included in many “best of” lists.
Susan’s novels tend to centre on talented children in precarious situations who struggle not only to survive but to carve out a life of meaning. From a boy in a co-op who makes a deal with a lonely girl to give him piano lessons, to a Cayuga girl who doesn’t know her past but seeks it out via a path of musical magic realism that leads her and her mother to their true history, to a feisty foster child who gets into a prestigious music school by playing fast and loose with a few laws, Susan’s characters are resilient, determined, and fighting against systemic barriers to find their voices and speak their truths. When the path isn’t there, they hack a way through.
Susan is also an adoptee who was in foster care in her earliest life. When she grew up, she went looking for her birth family and learned the amazing fact that her mother’s side of the family is Haudenosaunee—from the Cayuga Nation, and the Turtle Clan. She learned about the rich history and culture of the Cayuga, about her family roots at the Six Nations of the Grand River, and also about the devastating role that residential school (the Mohawk Institute in Brantford, Ontario) played in creating the inherited trauma that runs through her biological family. This knowledge, although it contained dark aspects, was a source of tremendous joy for her. Finally, for the first time, she felt like she cast a shadow.
Susan’s novels include: Basket of Beethoven (2001, Fitzhenry & Whiteside); The Mask that Sang (2016, Second Story Press); Iz the Apocalypse (2023, Common Deer Press), and Fierce Voice (Common Deer Press, Fall 2025). She has also written three nonfiction books for Saunders Publishing: Haudenosaunee: the People and Nations (2024), Amazing Women in Canada: Autumn Peltier (2024) and Indigenous Peoples: Cayuga (Fall 2025). Her novels have been finalists for the Ontario Silver Birch Award, the Hackmatack Award, the Manitoba Young Reader’s Choice Award, the CODE Burt Award, the Ontario Library Association White Pine Award, the Canadian Library Association Book of the Year for Children, and the Bank Street College of Education Best Books of the Year. Her books have also been included in many “best of” lists.
Susan’s novels tend to centre on talented children in precarious situations who struggle not only to survive but to carve out a life of meaning. From a boy in a co-op who makes a deal with a lonely girl to give him piano lessons, to a Cayuga girl who doesn’t know her past but seeks it out via a path of musical magic realism that leads her and her mother to their true history, to a feisty foster child who gets into a prestigious music school by playing fast and loose with a few laws, Susan’s characters are resilient, determined, and fighting against systemic barriers to find their voices and speak their truths. When the path isn’t there, they hack a way through.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
January 8, 2024
3⭐
Forest of Reading 3/5
Content Warnings: Bullying, child abuse, panic attacks
What I Liked
I liked how Iz’s situation as a foster kid was presented. I liked that the author, Susan Curie, took time to write and jot down Iz’s internal thoughts. This made me realize that there are a lot of things I don’t think about as someone who’s not in the system that those like Iz might have to worry about on a day-to-day basis. Things like money and education and stuff.
Second, I liked how the diction of the book was easy to read and follow. I thought that the short chapters, paragraph breaks, and direct diction made the book easy to fly through. I liked that the paragraphs were short and sweet without being too overdone. Personally, I prefer faster-paced books so that’s probably why….
Finally, I like the inclusion of songs and poetry in the book. I thought that was pretty interesting. It helped to characterize Iz as the reader can see into Iz’s mind. It broke up the flow of the pacing. And I liked that the songs and poems included helped connect to the general themes of the novel.
50/50
This can be good or horrible, depending on how you look at it: there were a lot of musical references and Italian food references throughout the book. In terms of music, I have a bit of musical training so I know a bit of the songs referenced (Schubert), but other songs I did not know. I didn’t find it to impact my enjoyment of the story too much since a lot of it was contextualized. However, I can see that some people may not like it. As for the Italian food references, I thought it was cool learning about new foods. However, I did have to sit in front of my computer while reading. So… I recommend listening to Schubert and sitting in front of a computer while reading this book. …unless you’re well-versed in music and/or Italian food.
What I Disliked
This is a personal opinion and I understand that the author chose not to include this, but I wish that she touched more on “That Place.” It was referenced multiple times throughout the book so I know it made a large impact on Iz’s life. However, although it was briefly touched on in the end, I wish there was more of a backstory. What exactly happened? How did it impact Iz? Personally, I thought that the inclusion of it would’ve made Iz more of a complex character.
I thought some of the characterization was unrealistic. First, this might be because Iz is an early teen and the book reads a bit more like a middle-grade book, I found Iz’s characterization to be childish at times. I thought she sometimes, with the things she says and how she reacts, acts more like a 12-year-old than a 14-year-old. Then again, I am not 14 anymore so maybe 14-year-olds do act like that. As for the side characters, I felt that they were too forgiving and “nice” to Iz. She is a very lucky girl because many of the side characters keep stepping up to help her no matter what. I understand that she is a prodigy and comes from difficult situations, but I think in real life, most people won’t be so kind.
Other
Resource
Know Your Rights in Care (mentioned in book): https://www.ombudsman.on.ca/what-we-d...
Songs Mentioned
(I encourage you to listen because the book references these songs a lot and it makes it might make it better)
The Erlking: https://www.ombudsman.on.ca/what-we-d...
Where’er You Walk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ak4bc...
Santa Lucia: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZAjXr...
Winterreise: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wh1Ky...
The Linden Tree: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iu3cJ...
Con Te Partirò: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TdWEh...
Forest of Reading 3/5
Content Warnings: Bullying, child abuse, panic attacks
What I Liked
I liked how Iz’s situation as a foster kid was presented. I liked that the author, Susan Curie, took time to write and jot down Iz’s internal thoughts. This made me realize that there are a lot of things I don’t think about as someone who’s not in the system that those like Iz might have to worry about on a day-to-day basis. Things like money and education and stuff.
Second, I liked how the diction of the book was easy to read and follow. I thought that the short chapters, paragraph breaks, and direct diction made the book easy to fly through. I liked that the paragraphs were short and sweet without being too overdone. Personally, I prefer faster-paced books so that’s probably why….
Finally, I like the inclusion of songs and poetry in the book. I thought that was pretty interesting. It helped to characterize Iz as the reader can see into Iz’s mind. It broke up the flow of the pacing. And I liked that the songs and poems included helped connect to the general themes of the novel.
50/50
This can be good or horrible, depending on how you look at it: there were a lot of musical references and Italian food references throughout the book. In terms of music, I have a bit of musical training so I know a bit of the songs referenced (Schubert), but other songs I did not know. I didn’t find it to impact my enjoyment of the story too much since a lot of it was contextualized. However, I can see that some people may not like it. As for the Italian food references, I thought it was cool learning about new foods. However, I did have to sit in front of my computer while reading. So… I recommend listening to Schubert and sitting in front of a computer while reading this book. …unless you’re well-versed in music and/or Italian food.
What I Disliked
This is a personal opinion and I understand that the author chose not to include this, but I wish that she touched more on “That Place.” It was referenced multiple times throughout the book so I know it made a large impact on Iz’s life. However, although it was briefly touched on in the end, I wish there was more of a backstory. What exactly happened? How did it impact Iz? Personally, I thought that the inclusion of it would’ve made Iz more of a complex character.
I thought some of the characterization was unrealistic. First, this might be because Iz is an early teen and the book reads a bit more like a middle-grade book, I found Iz’s characterization to be childish at times. I thought she sometimes, with the things she says and how she reacts, acts more like a 12-year-old than a 14-year-old. Then again, I am not 14 anymore so maybe 14-year-olds do act like that. As for the side characters, I felt that they were too forgiving and “nice” to Iz. She is a very lucky girl because many of the side characters keep stepping up to help her no matter what. I understand that she is a prodigy and comes from difficult situations, but I think in real life, most people won’t be so kind.
Other
Resource
Know Your Rights in Care (mentioned in book): https://www.ombudsman.on.ca/what-we-d...
Songs Mentioned
(I encourage you to listen because the book references these songs a lot and it makes it might make it better)
The Erlking: https://www.ombudsman.on.ca/what-we-d...
Where’er You Walk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ak4bc...
Santa Lucia: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZAjXr...
Winterreise: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wh1Ky...
The Linden Tree: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iu3cJ...
Con Te Partirò: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TdWEh...
January 12, 2024
2.6
Frankly, I did not like this book.
The plot felt very overused and bland, and there was nothing particularly interesting about the story? The characters fell flat, but I enjoyed the parallels between Vance and Iz I guess.
I understand that the main plot point was self discovery. However, there was no joy in reading the climax or anything of the plot. I've read several books where the protagonist is in foster care and has been through x amount of homes and y amount of schools, but none of it is particularly new and exciting. The ending made it better, as I got to chapter 20 and I had been adamant on a 2 star rating. The ending felt cliché (Tbf, its for a younger audience). But I think people may have gotten more if she had made a formal audition again for the Manifesto instead of using her scholarship audition would have made it more interesting (I guess her getting arrested was an OK plot point) but nevertheless it felt so overused and redundant until the end.
I digress, the story was good for "Baby's first coming of age," however for someone who may have read more of them would find it quite redundant and not very riveting. The story was okay, and the main character had interesting morals and a goal to attain. (Chaotic neutral? Chaotic good?)
Other characters had (somewhat) good depth and their own separate story lines, I was able to feel some emotion towards the supporting characters and was interested in their timelines after the book.
Frankly, I did not like this book.
The plot felt very overused and bland, and there was nothing particularly interesting about the story? The characters fell flat, but I enjoyed the parallels between Vance and Iz I guess.
I understand that the main plot point was self discovery. However, there was no joy in reading the climax or anything of the plot. I've read several books where the protagonist is in foster care and has been through x amount of homes and y amount of schools, but none of it is particularly new and exciting. The ending made it better, as I got to chapter 20 and I had been adamant on a 2 star rating. The ending felt cliché (Tbf, its for a younger audience). But I think people may have gotten more if she had made a formal audition again for the Manifesto instead of using her scholarship audition would have made it more interesting (I guess her getting arrested was an OK plot point) but nevertheless it felt so overused and redundant until the end.
I digress, the story was good for "Baby's first coming of age," however for someone who may have read more of them would find it quite redundant and not very riveting. The story was okay, and the main character had interesting morals and a goal to attain. (Chaotic neutral? Chaotic good?)
Other characters had (somewhat) good depth and their own separate story lines, I was able to feel some emotion towards the supporting characters and was interested in their timelines after the book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 30, 2024
I enjoyed this quite a bit, but I think that was partially because I'm a music nerd myself. I can see why it wouldn't be easy to get into if you aren't, there are a lot of terms here that come at you fast, and even having a background in music didn't clarify everything at once. That being said, I liked Iz, for the most part. There were moments where I felt like her not talking ot people would be frustrating in any other situation, but given the context she's consistent, which I thought was a good touch. This was good, and had a lot of interesting back and forth, I have to say I'm a fan of Currie's writing.
June 23, 2025
This book met my expectations and then some. Favourite character was…I can’t decide. They’re all so good and wonderfully developed. I finished this book in less than a day, a page turner that had some unexpected heart-wrenching moments delicately placed. It wasn’t too overbearing with the heavy topics and was well balanced. Iz’s story and who she is was real. Her music expertise was very well written in a magical way that seemed so easy to read and understand. I read a review saying if you didn’t have prior musical teachings you wouldn’t fully grasp some of the scenes. Which is true to an extent, I felt like the less you know about music the more apprentice you can be about how little she knew in the beginning. It’s inspiring to see how far Iz came!
April 8, 2024
This is a captivating story of Iz, a troubled 14-year old who has lived in more foster homes and attended more schools than would seem possible for her years. One day, when she hears Manifesto, a group of music students from the Metier School, perform, a spark is ignited that reawakens her being through a love of music. She knows that she wants to attend the Metier School and be a part of Manifesto. But with all that life has dished out, her dream seems impossible. To achieve her goals, Iz must battle her inner demons, her inexperience, and not just the system, but the systems that impose obstacles every step of the way. Iz must find within herself the strength, the resolve, the resilience, the ingenuity to defeat those obstacles. The choices she makes are not always the best and the resulting setbacks are discouraging, but Iz, with the support of those who see her potential and genuinely care for her, does not give up.
I don't think I've shed as many tears reading any other book as I did reading this book. I am a softie, but there were tears of sorrow, of joy, of recognition and of just pure emotion. The author put us right there with Iz and all she experiences.
I especially like the way Susan Currie has built the book about music and its stories and know that it will have a special appeal to lovers of music. It is a story of persistence and hope and I am happy to recommend it. (I received this book as a gift from the author and publisher but that in no way influences this review.)
I don't think I've shed as many tears reading any other book as I did reading this book. I am a softie, but there were tears of sorrow, of joy, of recognition and of just pure emotion. The author put us right there with Iz and all she experiences.
I especially like the way Susan Currie has built the book about music and its stories and know that it will have a special appeal to lovers of music. It is a story of persistence and hope and I am happy to recommend it. (I received this book as a gift from the author and publisher but that in no way influences this review.)
January 2, 2024
I was intrigued to pick this up because of the musical theme. As a child and teenager, I played piano and violin. I was involved in music clubs and orchestras at school, and I took private piano lessons. It was a daydream to attend a music school or have this be a larger part of my education.
While reading my first book by Susan Currie I was captivated by Iz as a female protagonist. She is strong-willed and good intentioned. I was rooting her from Chapter 6 onwards as I could feel how badly she wanted to attend the Metier School and her natural talent translated well off the page.
I think the author did a great job of bringing the challenges of growing up in the foster care system to light. Other main themes included found family, and also abuse, anxiety, panic, mental illness, trauma, PTSD (which weren’t addressed in a heavy way in my opinion - rather lightly touched on and included).
My critique of this book is that it would be very hard for a reader who has no musical background to grasp a lot of the terminology and concepts presented by the theme. I don’t think I could recommend this book to a wide range of YA readers because of that. However, it would be an enjoyable read with a soft romance and a demonstration of varying family and friend relationships for a YA reader interested in music.
While reading my first book by Susan Currie I was captivated by Iz as a female protagonist. She is strong-willed and good intentioned. I was rooting her from Chapter 6 onwards as I could feel how badly she wanted to attend the Metier School and her natural talent translated well off the page.
I think the author did a great job of bringing the challenges of growing up in the foster care system to light. Other main themes included found family, and also abuse, anxiety, panic, mental illness, trauma, PTSD (which weren’t addressed in a heavy way in my opinion - rather lightly touched on and included).
My critique of this book is that it would be very hard for a reader who has no musical background to grasp a lot of the terminology and concepts presented by the theme. I don’t think I could recommend this book to a wide range of YA readers because of that. However, it would be an enjoyable read with a soft romance and a demonstration of varying family and friend relationships for a YA reader interested in music.
August 9, 2023
3.5/5
Meh. There were parts of this I really liked, and it was definitely readable. I found the way her anxiety was written was very effective. Some parts of this just stretched the believability a bit: everyone seemed to love her so much they would go to great lengths to support her, I know she's a musical prodigy, but the fact that she [spoiler] didn't seem to struggle with any of the school requirements at Metier, including learning theory and keeping up in academic subjects, despite the fact that she was significantly behind in her formal education, seemed a bit hard to believe [/spoiler].
Meh. There were parts of this I really liked, and it was definitely readable. I found the way her anxiety was written was very effective. Some parts of this just stretched the believability a bit: everyone seemed to love her so much they would go to great lengths to support her, I know she's a musical prodigy, but the fact that she [spoiler] didn't seem to struggle with any of the school requirements at Metier, including learning theory and keeping up in academic subjects, despite the fact that she was significantly behind in her formal education, seemed a bit hard to believe [/spoiler].
May 23, 2024
***This review includes spoilers***
I really enjoyed this book and the ending especially. Iz's goal the whole book was to get into manifesto, which ultimately she accomplished. It showed her strive to get what she wanted no matter what. I really liked the perspective we were put in and were told all the feelings Iz felt. I feel like this book made me more aware that I don't know what people are going through and how they feel deep down which I liked a lot. Another thing I liked was that it dipped a bit into Italian culture. I also liked at the start of the book how she perceived music and what it felt to her, as experiencing music is different for everyone. Some people may enjoy it more then others, and it may even be a big part of their life which really connects with me, and for Iz it seems like music is life. So being able to envision what she's seeing just through words is really impressive of the writer. Somethings I didn't really like was at some parts it mentioned "that place". Which made me curious as to what that place was. So it surprised me when she didn't go in depth to "that place" later on in the book, it seemed like it was a big part of the story, since the way she acts seems to come from "that place". It feels like there's a little part missing in the book without that explaining that little tidbit. Other then that I absolutely enjoyed the book.
I really enjoyed this book and the ending especially. Iz's goal the whole book was to get into manifesto, which ultimately she accomplished. It showed her strive to get what she wanted no matter what. I really liked the perspective we were put in and were told all the feelings Iz felt. I feel like this book made me more aware that I don't know what people are going through and how they feel deep down which I liked a lot. Another thing I liked was that it dipped a bit into Italian culture. I also liked at the start of the book how she perceived music and what it felt to her, as experiencing music is different for everyone. Some people may enjoy it more then others, and it may even be a big part of their life which really connects with me, and for Iz it seems like music is life. So being able to envision what she's seeing just through words is really impressive of the writer. Somethings I didn't really like was at some parts it mentioned "that place". Which made me curious as to what that place was. So it surprised me when she didn't go in depth to "that place" later on in the book, it seemed like it was a big part of the story, since the way she acts seems to come from "that place". It feels like there's a little part missing in the book without that explaining that little tidbit. Other then that I absolutely enjoyed the book.
February 27, 2024
Things got off to an interesting start....it seemed like the characters goals/dreams were coming true too easily/quickly. While there were a few roadblocks placed throughout the plot these seemed to be overcome relatively easily.
I enjoyed the way this book conveyed the main characters passion for music and it was this and the relationships she was building that propelled me through this story.
I enjoyed the way this book conveyed the main characters passion for music and it was this and the relationships she was building that propelled me through this story.
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May 23, 2024I thought this book was a little boring, but I did enjoy some parts of the book how she got herself into a musical school after being in 14 other schools, and taught herself how to play guitar and she was also making new friends and got herself a job. But she had too lie too her mom a forge her signature, pat was being a really good friend for Iz though.
October 23, 2023
4.5 - Absolutely AMAZING!!!
The characters are written so well, the plot really had me engaged, and I was so attached to Iz. It's not often I tear through a white pine book but I could not put this one down.
The characters are written so well, the plot really had me engaged, and I was so attached to Iz. It's not often I tear through a white pine book but I could not put this one down.
March 23, 2024
I thought that this was an amazingly cute book, but I did think that it took a bit too long to get interesting. It wasn't boring enough to make me stop reading but it didn't get really good until about half way.
February 13, 2024
AMAZING!!!!!!!!
February 19, 2024
HATEDDD the beginning. it was like a jank dear evan hansen.. but it kinda picked up 😍 found it quite predictable but u didn’t hate the second half
February 28, 2024
3.70 stars
March 12, 2024
3.5
This really picked up in the second half & I enjoyed it more than I expected
This really picked up in the second half & I enjoyed it more than I expected
March 25, 2024
idk why but I really liked this book
December 12, 2024
Dnf @ 25%
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May 6, 2024
Trigger & Content Warnings
Child abuse
Panic attacks
Bullying
Child abuse
Panic attacks
Bullying
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews