Firmament [Hardcover]

Grade 6-10-Luke, 14, is in big trouble. "Skin," a teen with a well-earned reputation for violence, has threatened to seriously hurt him if Luke refuses to break into an old woman's house and steal a beautiful wooden box sure to contain valuables. Luke is trapped, and once inside the house, he's startled by the devastating weeping of a young girl. Worse, Skin isn't Luke's only problem. He's still grieving so hard over his father's death that he can't concentrate and is nearly flunking out of school. He skips classes; fights with his mother, who has a new boyfriend; and is rude and surly to everyone, even his beloved music teacher. Luke feels that the only thing he has left is his music, his gift for playing the piano, just like his father. Firmament is a fascinating coming-of-age story with deeply developed characters. The author's understanding of the way a musician separates notes in his head and the ability to translate them into a dialogue between his hands and his instrument is amazing. However, one disturbing scenario might hit readers hard, especially given recent news stories of abducted children. Once Luke discovers that the mentally retarded child had been found and hidden away by the old woman for two years, he reunites her with her parents but does not notify authorities. Overall, though, the author's lyrical writing will enthrall readers and draw them into a heartfelt story that resonates just like great music. Pair Firmament with Bruce Brooks's Midnight Hour Encores (HarperCollins, 1986) during booktalks. Both titles will be eagerly snatched up and loved.-Susan Riley, Mount Kisco Public Library, NY
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Gr. 6-10. Fourteen-year-old Luke is brilliant in music, but after his concert pianist father's untimely death, his life goes into free fall. He finds himself haunted by sounds--music, a constant weeping, a mysterious rumbling--and by the unseen but deeply felt presence of his father. Worse, he begins to hang out with a local gang, and when, to prove himself, he breaks into the home of a wealthy recluse, he finds something that will change his life. Carnegie Medal-winning author Bowler writes beautifully about music and the emotional pain of loss. His characters are multidimensional and always interesting, but his uneasy mixture of genres--realism, fantasy, and mystery--doesn't quite gel. Nor does he satisfactorily explain Luke's central--and highly improbable--decision to join the gang. On the other hand, the enigmatic elements of his plot are tantalizing, and the novel's emotional intensity will attract an enthusiastic readership. Michael Cart
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Tim Bowler has written seven novels for teenagers and is one of the most prominent authors currently writing for this age group. His first novel, Midget, established him as a thrilling new voice in young adult literature. His third novel, River Boy, won the prestigious Carnegie Medal, and his books have also won numerous other prizes. His most recent novels are Storm Catchers and the highly acclaimed Firmament.

Mr. Bowler lives with his wife in Devon, England, and is a full-time writer.