Monday, February 11, 2019

Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday (#MMGM) Book Review: Music Boxes by Tonja Drecker

Lindsay McKay and her family moved to Manhattan from a very small town in Nebraska. She dreams of being a prima ballerina, while her younger sister, Bridget, has been accepted into Juilliard, at the age of eight, to play the violin. Lindsay is happy for her sister, but not thrilled about living in a new place. Luckily, she brought her prized possession, a special music box given to her by her grandmother. At least it givers her some comfort. Lindsay’s first ballet lesson at the local community center does not go well, and she can’t hide her disappointment that no one in the class takes dance seriously. When she stumbles into Madame Destinee’s Dance Studio, it’s like a dream come true. The dancers are amazing! Madame offers for her to dance with the others and Lindsay feels herself move like never before. All she has to do to pay for her lessons is show up at a nightly performance. This sounds like a dream! She knows that here she can be a star and dance like she’s never danced before. But when Lindsay starts to notice that things aren’t quite as they seem and that Madame Destinee may be doing something to enchant the dancers, she becomes nervous about what will happen to her and her family. Is it possible to break the enchantment? Are the music boxes in Madame Destinee’s office important in some way and why do they match the one she brought from Nebraska? Can she help the other dancers? Read this enchanting story to find out.

Music Boxes by Tonja Drecker is a read that grabbed me from the start and pulled me in. It’s a story for people who like a good spooky mystery! I could easily relate to the main character, Lindsay. She is passionate about ballet and wants to be the best. I admire that type of dedication. When she noticed what Madame Destinee was doing to the dancers I felt both nervous and excited. The music boxes had quite a story behind them—I was definitely spooked, but in a good way. There's suspense and interesting relationships that keep the reader guessing. I think this book would be great for anybody in fourth grade and up who likes a story that gives them the chills.

Has anyone else read Music Boxes? Or have you read another book by Tonja Drecker? We’d love to hear your thoughts! 

Happy Reading!
~L


Find more links to #MMGM book reviews here.

59 comments:

  1. Haven't read it but very excited for Tonja!

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    1. It is a fast paced read for sure, Alex! :) ~L

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  2. I don't know this author but the book sounds great! Hugs, Valerie

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  3. I haven't heard of this, but it's hard to put paperbacks or e books in a school library. There's a lack of good mysteries right now.

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    1. Ms. Yingling- Happy to introduce you to this intriguing mystery. Definitely a unique story. Sorry to hear your school library doesn't have paperbacks- mine has lots of them. We have ebooks too- but I don't know how often they get checked out. I usually stick to paperback or hardcover. :) ~L

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  4. This sounds like fun! Thanks for the review!

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    1. Faith- It really is great! Glad you enjoyed the review. :) ~L

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  5. I had this on my to read list before it got buried by a flood of other titles. Thanks for moving it back to the top.

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    1. Greg- You are welcome! It is a really fast read and I kept turning the pages to see how it all turned out. :) ~L

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  6. I love mysteries and this one intrigues me. I'll be featuring Tonja on my blog in April.

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    1. Natalie- How exciting! We are sharing our interview with her on Friday too. Looking forward to your post in April. :) ~L

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  7. I have not read it but you have made it sound really unique!

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  8. Sounds interesting. I haven't read it, but I think I might look for it.

    betty

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    1. Betty- I really enjoyed it. Hope you do too! :) ~L

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  9. I have not read this but it looks and sounds fun!

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  10. I haven't read this but it really does sound like a good story.

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    1. Mary- It has just the right amount of spookiness. :) ~L

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  11. Ooh! I love the addition of the enchantment with the music boxes. The instructor is obviously trying to steal her.. soul I assume. It reminds me of the story of the twelve dancing princesses.

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    1. Hi Adriana- The enchanted music boxes add a very cool element to the book. Wait until you see what they do. :) ~L

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  12. I'm thrilled you enjoyed reading it. Thank you! I'm going to be smiling all day :) It's my debut novel, but I do have short stories out there.

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    1. Hi Tonja- So glad I got to read it. What a unique and fascinating story. Looking forward to sharing our interview with readers on Friday. :) ~L

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  13. Congratulations to Tonja. This sounds excellent and definitely spooky.

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  14. Keeping the reader guessing is good. Sounds like a great one.

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  15. I don't know this author or book, but it sounds very good.

    All the best Jan

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    1. Jan- This author was new to me too. Such a great book! :) ~L

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  16. This sounds like a great mystery combined with dance. Your great review intrigues me. And, I love music boxes.

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    1. Patricia- So glad you enjoyed the review. If you like music boxes then you don't want to miss this book. :) ~L

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  17. So excited that you enjoyed it and featured it today.

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    1. L. Diane Wolfe- It was a treat to read! :) L

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  18. Yes, I've read this story, and it is beautiful, intriguing and exciting. You should all read it.

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    1. Beverly- I love that you read and liked this one too. I agree- everyone should read it. :) ~L

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  19. I haven't read this, but it sounds like fun. Thanks for the review.

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  20. I'm not familiar with this book, but it sounds like one I should definitely read. Thanks for such a interesting post.

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    1. Alex- You are welcome. I loved that it was so unique and I couldn't wait to find out what was happening! :) ~L

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  21. I'm looking forward to reading this one. So nice of you to feature it on your site!

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  22. Sounds interesting! I hadn't heard of this one, so thanks for sharing!

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    1. Michelle- You are welcome! I am so glad I read it. :) ~L

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  23. Congrats to Tonja! Certainly sounds enchanting.

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    1. Nick- There's lots of enchanting going on. ;) ~L

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  24. This sounds great! Wish I could gift it to my 8 year old self--she would have adored it :)

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    1. Meradeth- Wouldn't it be fun if we could do that! :) ~L

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  25. Love music stories and always curious about people moving from small towns in Nebraska. My father's from one of those...

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    1. The Armchair Squid- Glad this one made you curious. :) ~L

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  26. Ooh! I'm liking the sound of this and I love the cover which puts me in mind of a similar musical box I was given by my nana as a girl.

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    1. Tracy- It reminds me of a music box I have too. I have always enjoyed watching the dancing ballerina. :) ~L

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  27. Congrats to Tonja. This sounds like a really good book!

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    1. Magic Love Crow- I really enjoyed it! :) ~L

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  28. This was a good mystery that kept me on edge. Glad you enjoyed it, too.

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    1. Lee- Yay! Glad to hear you liked it too. A very nicely done mystery for sure. :) ~L

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