Tunes for a Small Harmonica

by Barbara Wersba

This is the story of J.F. McAllister, teenage cab driver. Or at least that is what J.F.'s mother thinks she looks like, appalled at her daughter's habit of dressing like a boy. Neither fish nor fowl, J.F. lives in New York City in a state of rebellious misery, chain-smoking her way through life until she falls in love with her poetry teacher, Harold Murth. Then everything changes, and J.F. discovers that her existence has a purpose. Determined to rescue Harold from poverty, she embarks on a wild plan that eventually alters her life and that of the people around her Park Avenue parents, her best friend Marylou, her psychiatrist Dr. Waingloss, and the beloved Harold himself.

Genres: Young Adult, Fiction

Paperback

First published January 1, 1976

About the author

Barbara Wersba was born in Chicago, moved to California, and then to New York City. She attended Bard College, and after graduating returned to Greenwich Village to study acting with Paul Mann. She received an honorary doctorate from Bard. In 1994, Wersba founded The Bookman Press, a small-press publishing company. She lives in Sag Harbor, New York.

Reviews

[Elizabeth Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was recommended this book by a friend and absolutely loved it. As far as Young Adult reads go (although this was written before the label YA was coined) this deals with some big themes - identity, friendship, love - and it is still very relevant to today's society. It has a very engaging central character who I really felt for. Highly recommended.

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Set in the 1960s in New York City, this is the story of teenaged J.F. McAllister, nonconformist private school girl who so prefers her jeans and sweatshirt that she even wonders if she might be gay. An experimental kiss with her best friend who goes along with it in the name of friendship convinces her that this isn't the case. Soon after, she falls in love with her rather nerdy poetry teacher which gives her life meaning, and a somewhat ridiculous goal of winning his love by raising enough money playing the harmonica on the street to send him to England.

[RavenclawNumber1 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book when I was 15 and I it changed my life - it introduced me to a part of myself that I never would have guessed existed!

This is a clever, witty novel with a kickass heroine that is charming and intelligent. It has stayed with me for years and I will be grateful for it forever.

[Sarah Rigg · Rating 4 out of 5]

My goodness, looking at my journals from 1985-86 is a trip down memory lane to all these obscure "issues" novels that my library must have been stocked with. This one is about a "tomboy" who falls in love with her teacher. I remember really liking this one.

[Sarah Ralph · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book as a 14 year old and bought a harmonica, and taught myself to play it! Always stayed with me, this story..

[Charrie vL · Rating 2 out of 5]

Probably the strangest book i’ve ever read… The characters aren’t very likeable and the story is at times very uncomfortable to read.
It was quite entertaining but definitely very strange.

[Nicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a re read of a book I have had since I was a tween. Haven’t read it in over 30 years, but always remembered it fondly and have never been able to let it go.
At 158 pages, this is briefer than I remembered it being, but still a really unique and good YA novel.
JF is a troubled teen from a wealthy family. She dresses like a “boy” (obviously different times being set in the 60’s), smokes, plays harmonica and her concerned mother has sent her to a therapist. One day she falls in love with her poetry teacher, Harold and makes it her mission to give him financial support and to marry him. Needless to say, things don’t quite go to plan.

[Elizabeth]

Tunes for a Small Harmonica by Barbara Wersba (1977)

[KJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very cute story of a teenager finding their identity & growing up. The part of the crush - which takes a very key topic - was written beautifully. Made me remember all the infatuations growing up. Haha.

[Sharon Buxton · Rating 2 out of 5]

D-. fiction, YA; from stash, discard