A Remarkable Ear

by Anne Fine

Everyone's always telling Will to stop making so much noise. That is, until he meets music teacher Mr Brand. He thinks Will's not just noisy but that he has a gift and must learn to play the violin. But Will doesn't feel special . He can never find peace to practice at home and carrying a violin around school is too embarrassing. There's also the small matter of his stage fright ... Can he really become the star Mr Brand believes in? Beloved and award-winning author Anne Fine returns with a touching, musical story of patience, practice and courage. Particularly suitable for struggling, reluctant or dyslexic readers aged 8+

80 pages, Paperback

Published October 1, 2020

About the author

Though readers often find themselves inadvertently laughing aloud as they read Anne Fine's novels, as she herself admits, "a lot of my work, even for fairly young readers, raises serious social issues. Growing up is a long and confusing business. I try to show that the battle through the chaos is worthwhile and can, at times, be seen as very funny." In 1994, this unique combination of humour and realism inspired the hit movie MRS. DOUBTFIRE, based on Anne's novel MADAME DOUBTFIRE and starring the late comedic genius Robin Williams.

Anne is best known in her home country, England, as a writer principally for children, but over the years she has also written eight novels for adult readers. Seven of these she describes as black - or sour - comedies, and the first, THE KILLJOY, simply as "dead black". These novels have proved great favourites with reading groups, causing readers to squirm with mingled horror and delight as she peels away the layers in all too familiar family relationships, exposing the tangled threads and conflicts beneath. (It's perhaps not surprising that Anne has openly expressed astonishment at the fact that murder in the domestic setting is not even more common.)

Anne has written more than sixty books for children and young people. Amongst numerous other awards, she is twice winner of both the Carnegie Medal, Britain's most prestigious children's book award, and the Whitbread Award. Twice chosen as Children's Author of the Year in the British Book Awards, Anne Fine was also the first novelist to be honoured as Children's Laureate in the United Kingdom. In 2003, Anne became a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature and was awarded an OBE. Her work has been translated into forty five languages.

Anne Fine lives in the north of England and has two grown up daughters.

Reviews

[Mathew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Will is chastised at home for constantly humming, singing and playing music on anything he can find. It's been this way ever since he was a toddler. But a chance encounter with his future music teacher in the library leads to Will being set on a path that not only recognises his talent but allows him to flourish through it too.

A lovely story of self-belief and the determination to succeed no matter what obstacles are put in your way. Another gem from Barrington Stoke - great as a newly independent read and as an established read for older readers who might just have become fluent. As with all Barrington Stoke books, it's dyslexia friendly too.

[Fiona H. · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good to read a book about learning a musical instrument! I can only remember a couple of others from my childhood. I liked the gentle way this was written to show the boy and the violin teacher’s perseverance despite the lack of family support. Very happy to have this in my primary school library for both younger and older readers.

[Sophie Saxby · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good book.