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Stifled
Madge from Muffled gets her own story in this companion coming-of-age middle grade novel about rediscovering your voice, overcoming challenges in school, facing loss, and experiencing the ups and downs of friendship.
Madge Hesse is the best sixth grade trombonist, and getting into the middle school elite jazz ensemble proves it. She plans to become a professional musician like her mother, who died when Madge was one. Her best friend Amelia doesn’t get in, though, and instead joins the Free Readers, a group fighting book banning at their school.
Amelia expects Madge to be a part of the Free Readers too, but Madge is torn. She wants to support Amelia and the cause, but she is preparing for a jazz solo audition, which means hours of practicing. As Madge tries to juggle both commitments, her friendship with Amelia erodes and her music suffers. It doesn’t help that the eighth graders in band are constantly correcting her.
With her confidence and voice stifled, Madge no longer knows where she belongs. And to make matters worse, she uncovers a secret about her mother—a secret her grandmother had kept from her. Faced with pressure on all sides, Madge must rediscover her loud self to help Amelia fight book censors and to harmonize with the music of her heart once more.
Madge Hesse is the best sixth grade trombonist, and getting into the middle school elite jazz ensemble proves it. She plans to become a professional musician like her mother, who died when Madge was one. Her best friend Amelia doesn’t get in, though, and instead joins the Free Readers, a group fighting book banning at their school.
Amelia expects Madge to be a part of the Free Readers too, but Madge is torn. She wants to support Amelia and the cause, but she is preparing for a jazz solo audition, which means hours of practicing. As Madge tries to juggle both commitments, her friendship with Amelia erodes and her music suffers. It doesn’t help that the eighth graders in band are constantly correcting her.
With her confidence and voice stifled, Madge no longer knows where she belongs. And to make matters worse, she uncovers a secret about her mother—a secret her grandmother had kept from her. Faced with pressure on all sides, Madge must rediscover her loud self to help Amelia fight book censors and to harmonize with the music of her heart once more.
272 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 1, 2026
About the author
Jennifer Gennari
4 books29 followersMy stories come from my passion for truth and justice and my compassion for people of all ages. When I was young, I read everything, which introduced me to the different experiences people have in the world. I am an optimist at heart, and I hope my books connect us, one to another.
I'm a big reader! I hope you are one, too. By the time I was ten, I was carrying stacks of books home on a bus from the public library. Curling up with a book is still one of my favorite things to do.
I'm a big reader! I hope you are one, too. By the time I was ten, I was carrying stacks of books home on a bus from the public library. Curling up with a book is still one of my favorite things to do.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
July 31, 2026
I loved Madge in the first book and was really excited to learn more about her and her story.
Now in sixth grade (the first book took place when Madge and Amelia were in fifth grade) Madge tries out for the elite jazz ensemble while Amelia takes on book banning and censorship.
Unfortunately, I didn’t enjoy this book quite as much as book one. I didn’t think Amelia was a very good friend to Madge and a lot of her actions seemed out of character. Madge is dealing with a “small fish, big pond” situation since she was the best trombonist in the fifth grade but now in sixth grade she is not and feels inadequate.
The whole book banning plotline was okay but Amelia and Rhonda (especially Rhonda) were pretty snotty at different points and came off as pushy and soapboxy. I also thought it was odd that the school librarian seemed to do nothing but knit. It seems she should have had more to do than to just sit around knitting while giving the occasional book recommendation. I understand the reasoning but it kind of undermined the work that librarians do because it made it seem like they have all kinds of time on their hands to sit back and do whatever (in this case, knit).
As with the first book, there were some errors about the trombone itself. I burst out laughing when Amelia (who isn’t in any kind of elite band group) plays a “basic C major scale.” Yes, the key of C is the “basic” key for many instruments (especially piano since there are no black keys used in C major), but when it comes to the trombone, C major is much more difficult to play in — especially for a fifth or sixth grader. Almost everything played at the elementary/middle school level when I was in school was in the key of B flat (with the occasional piece in the key of E flat). I don’t think we played anything in the key of C. It’s actually very difficult to play the key of C on the trombone because B flat is first position (with the slide not extended at all) and B natural has the slide extended pretty far out. C is a longer extended note as well which makes it difficult to start in that position.
The other big error when it came to the trombone was that when Madge loses her confidence she stops playing — AND FAKES IT. HOW?!? I would like to know HOW she was able to do that! The trombone is one of the hardest (if not THE hardest) instruments to fake-play. First off, the trombone is a brass instrument and tends to be fairly loud. It’s very obvious when it is missing. Second, if you’re going to fake-play, you still have to move the slide up and down. It can be very obvious when a trombone player misses a note due to the position of the slide and the fact that it is constantly moving. The fact that Madge faked it for as long as she did was ridiculous. And then she was shocked that people noticed she wasn’t playing! What?!?
I did enjoy Madge’s relationship with her grandmother and I liked finding out more about her (including why her grandmother is her guardian). She was a sweet girl and it was easy to like her (I also have a soft spot for female trombonists). I really didn’t like Amelia though which is sad because I liked her in book one. Her personality totally changed and she was kind of a rotten friend to Madge.
Overall this was cute. We need more books about trombone players — especially female trombone players
Thank you to the publisher, Simon and Schuster Children’s Publishing, for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Now in sixth grade (the first book took place when Madge and Amelia were in fifth grade) Madge tries out for the elite jazz ensemble while Amelia takes on book banning and censorship.
Unfortunately, I didn’t enjoy this book quite as much as book one. I didn’t think Amelia was a very good friend to Madge and a lot of her actions seemed out of character. Madge is dealing with a “small fish, big pond” situation since she was the best trombonist in the fifth grade but now in sixth grade she is not and feels inadequate.
The whole book banning plotline was okay but Amelia and Rhonda (especially Rhonda) were pretty snotty at different points and came off as pushy and soapboxy. I also thought it was odd that the school librarian seemed to do nothing but knit. It seems she should have had more to do than to just sit around knitting while giving the occasional book recommendation. I understand the reasoning but it kind of undermined the work that librarians do because it made it seem like they have all kinds of time on their hands to sit back and do whatever (in this case, knit).
As with the first book, there were some errors about the trombone itself. I burst out laughing when Amelia (who isn’t in any kind of elite band group) plays a “basic C major scale.” Yes, the key of C is the “basic” key for many instruments (especially piano since there are no black keys used in C major), but when it comes to the trombone, C major is much more difficult to play in — especially for a fifth or sixth grader. Almost everything played at the elementary/middle school level when I was in school was in the key of B flat (with the occasional piece in the key of E flat). I don’t think we played anything in the key of C. It’s actually very difficult to play the key of C on the trombone because B flat is first position (with the slide not extended at all) and B natural has the slide extended pretty far out. C is a longer extended note as well which makes it difficult to start in that position.
The other big error when it came to the trombone was that when Madge loses her confidence she stops playing — AND FAKES IT. HOW?!? I would like to know HOW she was able to do that! The trombone is one of the hardest (if not THE hardest) instruments to fake-play. First off, the trombone is a brass instrument and tends to be fairly loud. It’s very obvious when it is missing. Second, if you’re going to fake-play, you still have to move the slide up and down. It can be very obvious when a trombone player misses a note due to the position of the slide and the fact that it is constantly moving. The fact that Madge faked it for as long as she did was ridiculous. And then she was shocked that people noticed she wasn’t playing! What?!?
I did enjoy Madge’s relationship with her grandmother and I liked finding out more about her (including why her grandmother is her guardian). She was a sweet girl and it was easy to like her (I also have a soft spot for female trombonists). I really didn’t like Amelia though which is sad because I liked her in book one. Her personality totally changed and she was kind of a rotten friend to Madge.
Overall this was cute. We need more books about trombone players — especially female trombone players
Thank you to the publisher, Simon and Schuster Children’s Publishing, for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
Amelia's friend, Madge, from Muffled is a keen and talented trombone player who hopes to one day play for the Boston Pops. Her mother, who died in a car accident when she was one, was also a musician, so Madge's Oma gets sentimental when Madge's ambitions are discussed. Now that sixth grade is starting, both Amelia and Madge try out for Jazz Notes, a group that has more 7th and 8th graders in it. Madge makes it; Amelia does not. Since the fantastic new librarian, Ms. Madias, has shared with students that a local group, Liberty Guardians, is contesting some of the titles in the library, especially those with underrepresented characters, Amelia isn't too upset. Instead, she dedicates herself to a group of students fighting to keep titles in the library and spreading awareness about the issue and works closely with Rhonda, who is her new "bestie". Madge struggles with band; she was the best trombone player in fifth grade, but doesn't have the improvisation technique that older students who have taken private lesson have developed. Madge likes hanging out with the older kids in the band, and even has an awkward moment with Zan, an 8th grader on whom she has a crush. Madge is struggling a little in other areas; it's hard to practice an hour a day and keep up with homework, she knows that her grandmother struggles to take care of her, and she wants to know something about her father, whom she has never known. She and Amelia and increasingly at odds, with Amelia, who has sound sensitivity, wanting to speak up in support of banned books and not being happy when Madge assumes that she will stay quiet. When Ms. Madias' job is on the line, will the girls be able to work together to save the library?
Strengths: This is a timely book in a fraught age, where librarians do lose their jobs and books are under attack in many areas. What I loved about this, though, was the depiction of a school band. Tryouts, solos, jockeying for seats-- this was all big stuff for me from 5th grade on, and is rarely depicted in middle grade novels. The friendship difficulties will be intriguing to middle school readers, who love to see how other people navigate difficult times with friends. I love Oma, and the fact that she was trying her best to raise her granddaughter. It was interesting to see a continuation of Amelia's story from Madge's perspective.
Weaknesses: As important an issue as this is, my students have not picked up the books on this subject. Maybe we are just really fortunate that the issue hasn't yet touched our library? (Not that it is an issue in this book, but they also haven't picked up books about dress code enforcement, because we don't have a dress code.) It did seem a bit odd to me that Ms. Madias' found time to knit at work. It would be cool to do that, but it wouldn't work in my day!
What I really think: This is a good choice for readers who enjoyed like Swartz's Same Page, Levithan's The Answer in the Pages, Gratz' Ban This Book, Varnes' Property of the Rebel Librarian, Yang's Finally Seen, Levy's Not Another Banned Book, and King's Attack of the Black Rectangles. Guess I shouldn't have gotten rid of Hentoff's 1982 The Day They Came to Arrest the Book. I would definitely love to read Betty Miles' 1980 Maudie and Me and the Dirty Book again!
Amelia's friend, Madge, from Muffled is a keen and talented trombone player who hopes to one day play for the Boston Pops. Her mother, who died in a car accident when she was one, was also a musician, so Madge's Oma gets sentimental when Madge's ambitions are discussed. Now that sixth grade is starting, both Amelia and Madge try out for Jazz Notes, a group that has more 7th and 8th graders in it. Madge makes it; Amelia does not. Since the fantastic new librarian, Ms. Madias, has shared with students that a local group, Liberty Guardians, is contesting some of the titles in the library, especially those with underrepresented characters, Amelia isn't too upset. Instead, she dedicates herself to a group of students fighting to keep titles in the library and spreading awareness about the issue and works closely with Rhonda, who is her new "bestie". Madge struggles with band; she was the best trombone player in fifth grade, but doesn't have the improvisation technique that older students who have taken private lesson have developed. Madge likes hanging out with the older kids in the band, and even has an awkward moment with Zan, an 8th grader on whom she has a crush. Madge is struggling a little in other areas; it's hard to practice an hour a day and keep up with homework, she knows that her grandmother struggles to take care of her, and she wants to know something about her father, whom she has never known. She and Amelia and increasingly at odds, with Amelia, who has sound sensitivity, wanting to speak up in support of banned books and not being happy when Madge assumes that she will stay quiet. When Ms. Madias' job is on the line, will the girls be able to work together to save the library?
Strengths: This is a timely book in a fraught age, where librarians do lose their jobs and books are under attack in many areas. What I loved about this, though, was the depiction of a school band. Tryouts, solos, jockeying for seats-- this was all big stuff for me from 5th grade on, and is rarely depicted in middle grade novels. The friendship difficulties will be intriguing to middle school readers, who love to see how other people navigate difficult times with friends. I love Oma, and the fact that she was trying her best to raise her granddaughter. It was interesting to see a continuation of Amelia's story from Madge's perspective.
Weaknesses: As important an issue as this is, my students have not picked up the books on this subject. Maybe we are just really fortunate that the issue hasn't yet touched our library? (Not that it is an issue in this book, but they also haven't picked up books about dress code enforcement, because we don't have a dress code.) It did seem a bit odd to me that Ms. Madias' found time to knit at work. It would be cool to do that, but it wouldn't work in my day!
What I really think: This is a good choice for readers who enjoyed like Swartz's Same Page, Levithan's The Answer in the Pages, Gratz' Ban This Book, Varnes' Property of the Rebel Librarian, Yang's Finally Seen, Levy's Not Another Banned Book, and King's Attack of the Black Rectangles. Guess I shouldn't have gotten rid of Hentoff's 1982 The Day They Came to Arrest the Book. I would definitely love to read Betty Miles' 1980 Maudie and Me and the Dirty Book again!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I'm so grateful for this advance reader copy of Jennifer Gennari's newest middle grade novel, a companion to "Muffled" which I now NEED to read! but didn't feel like I was in the dark for not having read it ahead of reading "Stifled."
The book has an excellent balance of changing friendships, finding your place in middle school, difficult classes, new peers, new interests, crushes (nothing spicy), finding your voice, family dynamics - the things I expect in a middle grade contemporary. But "Stifled" does it thoughtfully. The beautiful way Gennari has woven the music and friendship stories throughout the novel is truly masterful. I've never played trombone yet the descriptions felt like I was sitting by Madge's side and trying to keep up with her new band mates. Additionally, her best friend Amelia, from "Muffled" has turned her attention to another interest, fighting book banners. This creates an additional tension between the friends and within the school community throughout the book. It's a subject near and dear to every reader's heart and it's not easy to write it with nuance, but I felt like this book truly created a great balance for readers.
I'm not going to give anything away, Madge who has lived with her Grandma since her mom died when she was only one and has been trying to live up to Mom's legacy of being a professional musician and not knowing her dad (Identity!) now also has the added challenge of her friends who are no longer interested in the same things as she is during much of the book. This creates a well drawn character who I think a variety of readers will relate to as they navigate trying to figure out where they fit in.
Highly recommend for home, school, and library.
The book has an excellent balance of changing friendships, finding your place in middle school, difficult classes, new peers, new interests, crushes (nothing spicy), finding your voice, family dynamics - the things I expect in a middle grade contemporary. But "Stifled" does it thoughtfully. The beautiful way Gennari has woven the music and friendship stories throughout the novel is truly masterful. I've never played trombone yet the descriptions felt like I was sitting by Madge's side and trying to keep up with her new band mates. Additionally, her best friend Amelia, from "Muffled" has turned her attention to another interest, fighting book banners. This creates an additional tension between the friends and within the school community throughout the book. It's a subject near and dear to every reader's heart and it's not easy to write it with nuance, but I felt like this book truly created a great balance for readers.
I'm not going to give anything away, Madge who has lived with her Grandma since her mom died when she was only one and has been trying to live up to Mom's legacy of being a professional musician and not knowing her dad (Identity!) now also has the added challenge of her friends who are no longer interested in the same things as she is during much of the book. This creates a well drawn character who I think a variety of readers will relate to as they navigate trying to figure out where they fit in.
Highly recommend for home, school, and library.
September 6, 2026
Sixth-grader Madge is going through a rough time transitioning into middle school. She is excited to have made it into the top band at the school, Jazz Notes, but sad that her best friend, Amelia, did not get in. This is start of how their friendship changes. Madge struggles with being in the top band, while Amelia makes a new friend and takes up protesting against book banning.
Overall, this is a middle school book through and through. Madge and Amelia have their friend drama, fitting in is hard, Madge doesn’t have a mom (is raised by her grandma because her mom died when she was little) and doesn’t know her father, homework is a lot, and no one could possibly understand what she is going through.
Honestly, my only issues are with the band. For example, the jazz band being the top band. Jazz is a whole different style of music from concert band and doesn’t work for every instrument, not to mention that in their auditions the players didn’t seem to need to have a background in jazz. Also, how can she have been the best trombone player as a 5th grader if she can’t seem to be on beat now as a 6th grader? And then there are the logistics of fake playing a trombone… Additionally, the school has two different band teachers, one for each band?
This would be recommended for middle school readers, and the band kids would be most likely to be the ones to pick this up. However, any kid with an affinity for protesting book bans might find this as well.
Overall, this is a middle school book through and through. Madge and Amelia have their friend drama, fitting in is hard, Madge doesn’t have a mom (is raised by her grandma because her mom died when she was little) and doesn’t know her father, homework is a lot, and no one could possibly understand what she is going through.
Honestly, my only issues are with the band. For example, the jazz band being the top band. Jazz is a whole different style of music from concert band and doesn’t work for every instrument, not to mention that in their auditions the players didn’t seem to need to have a background in jazz. Also, how can she have been the best trombone player as a 5th grader if she can’t seem to be on beat now as a 6th grader? And then there are the logistics of fake playing a trombone… Additionally, the school has two different band teachers, one for each band?
This would be recommended for middle school readers, and the band kids would be most likely to be the ones to pick this up. However, any kid with an affinity for protesting book bans might find this as well.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I was so excited to get an advanced reader copy of Jennifer Gennari’s newest middle-grade novel, "Stifled." If you read "Muffled," you may remember Madge as Amelia’s loud sidekick and pal. In "Stifled," Madge is the center of the story this time, and it is full of all her quirky, passionate energy. (But don’t worry if you haven’t read "Muffled;" "Stifled" stands on its own.) The novel tackles the transition into middle school, evolving friendships, finding where you fit in, peer competition, loss, and failure as part of growing up. It’s a fantastically layered story about friends, family, passions, and the challenges and big emotions of growing up. It was refreshing to read a book about how a seemingly loud and confident kid can struggle just as much as the quiet, more introverted kid. Madge’s character is complex and endearing, and young readers are sure to identify with her rollercoaster ride of emotions. The novel is an intricate, heartfelt, and engaging portrait of the tumultuous middle-grade experience. Recommended for readers 10-12.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I was so excited to be able to read a pre-publication copy of this sequel to Muffled on Netgalley -- and it did not disappoint! The story of Madge facing new challenges in sixth grade -- with friends, music, family, and more -- had me fondly remembering the characters from the last book, but also turning pages rapidly to follow the new narrative. This story's nuanced layers of complex middle school social dynamics, combined with a political storyline that all devoted readers will find compelling, makes for a thrilling read. I found myself getting choked up every few chapters during the second half of the book as I remembered my own middle school struggles and the relationships I've had as a teacher with some of my most passionate, memorable students. Anyone who has ever felt stifled but found their voice again with the help of friends will cherish this book -- and want to share it with all of the readers they know and love.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I was pleased to receive an ARC of Stifled, the newest book in The Band Kids series, published by Simon & Schuster. In it, Madge and Amelia, two friends from the first book in the series, Muffled, face the challenges of middle school, fitting in, changing friend groups, self-discovery, and book banning. Jen Gennari has created characters and friendships that will resonate with readers. Madge is one of four sixth-graders who make it into the Jazz Band, but once in, she can't find her rhythm. Amelia has found out that the school board is forcing the librarian to remove books from the library that don't meet their "standards" and forms a group to protest their removal. Madge and Amelia's friendship becomes strained as their interests diverge. But in the end, Madge and Amelia's friendship withstands everything: the changes, challenges, disappointments, hurts, and realities that life in middle school throws at them.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I was lucky enough to read an ARC of this wonderful, engaging, MG novel. Madge is a likable and relatable character who has to make choices as she navigates middle school, friendships, competition, and confidence issues. Readers who are in band will relate to the auditions and rehearsals, the competition and drive to perform well. Junior activists will appreciate the serious issues explored in the story. I hope everyone loves this as much as I did! I'm pre-ordering copies for my Little Free Library and to give as gifts. What a gem of a book!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Oh, everyone! I hope you love meeting Madge, who is overwhelmed by middle school! This, my third novel, is deeply felt: it's got the stress of meeting expectations, the worry of being overlooked and not knowing where you fit in, that first crush, and my deep passion for the freedom to read.
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