Kids in Musicianland: 5 Reasons to Stick With It
by Karyn Rashoff
Barking Dog Books
Reviewed by Anita Lock, The US Review of Books (August 2016)

“…people who are willing to work the hardest in music tend to be the people who are willing to work the hardest in school, too.”

“More choices and distractions exist in a young person’s life today than ever before.” Rashoff’s apt statement is the driving force behind her motivating read, which zeroes in on middle and high school students. Its purpose is “to inspire teens to focus on the music in them, to develop and pass on their skills, and to realize the satisfaction of it all for the rest of their lives.” Constructing her narrative around five explicit reasons “to keep music in [teen’s] lives,” Rashoff’s tenets include meeting new people, being a part of a team, being a part of history, traveling opportunities, and keeping life balanced with music. Rashoff backs up the precepts with over twenty stimulating stories from a host of seasoned individuals in the music arena, as well as her own sagacious observations.

Rashoff’s newest book offers discouraged students and supportive parents a well-rounded musical perspective. A balanced mix of stories and practical advice, the award-winning author (Parents in Highschooland) groups this helpful collection according to her five aforementioned precepts. Her broad-spectrum approach covers professionals from each of the four musical groups (strings, woodwinds, brass, and percussion) and beyond. Not limiting the musical experience purely to the development of instrumental training, Rashoff includes the counsel of art directors, classical music radio hosts, a film composer, plus her personal knowledge as a school counselor and her involvement in choruses over the years. Although there are gentle reminders of the importance of practice sprinkled throughout her text, much of the information puts stress on simply having fun. She reminds kids that discouragement “is a natural part of the learning process.” Closing with a suggested reading list for further research, Kids in Musicianland is a powerful tool, useful for both home and school.

RECOMMENDED by The US Review of Books

Amazon Review
5.0 out of 5 stars
By Jill Bakeron, May 4, 2016

“Kids in Musicianland: 5 Reasons to Stick with It” exceeded my expectations by a landslide! The book takes you through the journeys of various musician’s band experiences. Each story is incredibly captivating and reinforces the experiences one can get in band that aren’t likely to exist in any other element in life. Each perspective provides a unique perspective of the reasons why to stick with a band program and just what each person gained through their own. I enjoyed reading the book from beginning to end and learned areas of my own life where I can apply the variety of advice offered. I would highly recommend this to any parent, teacher, or student who is considering a program or is contemplating the reasons to maintain one.

The results are in for the 2016 Paris Book Festival!

Karyn Rashoff’s new book Kids in Musicianland: 5 Reasons To Stick With It won Honorable Mention in the category of Young Adult.

Karyn’s first book Parents in Highschooland: Helping Students Succeed in the Critical Years also won an award. It was given Honorable Mention in the General Non-Fiction category.

Amazon Review
5.0 out of 5 stars
By Florence Chavezon, May 4, 2016

This book had me motivated and regretful almost from the beginning. I am raising two children, and want them to find something they love and stick with it — whether it be music or something else.

As a kid, I had an interest in the violin, and took lessons for three years. I loved the commitment it took, but didn’t like my teacher who was unemotional and unfriendly. I quit and even now, more than 20 years later, wish I had stuck with it.

I loved Rashoff’s anecdotes and found them really relatable and most easily applied to many people I know. I loved “The Cello Showed Up, but the Girl Didn’t,” and have found myself thinking about it in the months since I finished reading this story. There is just so much magic in knowing how to play a musical instrument, and the opportunities is can open to youth from all backgrounds.

My daughter is currently involved in gymnastics, and this book has me reevaluating her future in the sport. She will be so much more limited in opportunities in a sport that caters to the wealthy and elite. A whole world can open up to kids involved in music – in their schools, in their communities, and their future.

This book is a great read for any parent looking for direction, and how to combat kids who are discouraged. I wish my mom had read this when I was an 8th grader who was so angry and frustrated.

Amazon Review
4.0 out of 5 stars
By Ashlee Huffmonon, May 6, 2016

Encouraging! A lot of very good points were made in this book about how music can positively affect your life! One point that was consistent with the various musicians in this read was that music brings a positive social experience with it. It brings you together with people you feel safe with and enjoy to be around. Various degrees of musicians, from band members to students of Juilliard tell their experiences about how music changed their lives for the better. Defiantly a read for anyone interested in music! Many positive stories shared to help encourage any musician!