Stifled

by Jennifer Gennari

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.

Genres: Middle Grade

Kindle Edition

Expected publication September 1, 2026

About the author

My 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.

Reviews

[Laura Roettiger · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Angie Gascho · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Matt Perry · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Janice Milusich · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

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!

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.