Cox, Judy. Ukulele.

Cox, Judy.  Ukulele.  Holiday House.  2013  82p  ISBN 978-0-8234-2863-2 elem  VG  Realistic fiction

Elementary students who enjoy music and playing an instrument will feel connected to Hayley, a third-grade student who doesn’t really have a talent.  When her new music teacher, Mr. Yeager (Mr. Y)  announces a talent show for students, Hayley wonders what she should do.  While all of her family members have some special gift, Hayley can’t think of anything special about her.  When Hayley finds a ukulele at a yard sale and learns of her Great Aunt Ruby’s ukulele's band, she’s inspired to play this newfound instrument.  With the help of her music teacher, Mr. Y, Hayley learns the three chords, and his encouragement that she could play hundreds of songs with those chords, Hayley begins to practice all the time.  With her persistent practice and hard work, Hayley’s song in the Bridgewater Talent Show bring her fame around the school, and she is encouraged to start an ukulele band or club.  As with many schools across America, Hayley discovers that her school’s music program is in danger of being cut.  Hayley and her Bridgewater Ukulele Group (BUGs) perform for a school board meeting and convince the board to reinstate the music program at the school.

The author uses black-and-white scattered illustrations to give students a nice visual and includes tips on how to play the ukulele.  This is a nice story that shows how one can build his or her self-esteem and confidence.         

Summary: “To save the ukulele band, third-grader Hayley and her classmates protest the school board's decision to cut funding for the music program. Includes tips on how to play the ukulele.”    

Ukulele-Fiction.                                 -–Charleen Forba-Mayer