I loved this book about finding yourself and making friends. The characters were very interesting and I loved seeing how they developed. It was a great book and I really enjoyed reading it. It's a great read for kids ages 9-13.

Over the Christmas holidays, I finally dove into Music for Tigers by Michelle Kadarusman. It’s not one of my regular genres (middle-grade fiction) but something about the description called to me when I first requested it. Now, I’m not sure if you’re aware, but I’m an almost 40-year-old woman. I’m not in middle school. I’m not even sure my children still qualify as middle-school-aged (although I think if J. gave this one a chance, he’d enjoy it.) All that being said, I’m not the target audience for this book, and still, it mesmerized me.

There is a reason Kadarusman is a Governor General’s Literary Award finalist and this title was issued the JLG Gold Standard. It’s poignant and eloquent, simple without pandering, and absolutely engaging. Touching on issues of conservation, extinction, family roots, secrets, bullying, and neurodiversity, it’s a heart-warming richly crafted novel for the young (but not too young) reader. I think it was absolutely brilliant (and may gift some copies to elementary teachers I know!)

I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher. All opinions expressed are my own.

Note: Amazon’s recommended age level is 8 – 12, grade level 4 – 7

I read this book aloud with my 11-year-old daughter and we loved it! This book is beautifully written with themes of environmentalism, extinction, friendship, and neurodiversity. The descriptions of the Australian rain forest are absolutely breathtaking and we loved how Louisa and Colin's friendship evolved throughout the story, gaining a better understanding of each other and themselves in the process.

In this novel, a young violinist gets sent to Australia for the summer, where she learns that her family protects animals thought to be extinct. I had a lot of problems with this book. The plot is a mostly fine, but the narrator is pretty unlikeable and doesn't get any better; there's an autistic character about whom everyone talks, but is rarely allowed to speak for himself; the music terminology is off; and none of the characters are more than cardboard cut-outs. I'm used to writers screwing up musical things (no musician ever says "I'm going to go practice my musical scales."), but I'm very unhappy about the way the autistic character is created and treated. Adults speak about him right in front of him; his mom asks the narrator to befriend him; even the narrator ends up speaking for him instead of letting him speak in situations. It's infuriating and hurts autistics (like me). In the endnotes, the author acknowledges a special ed teacher: is that the only person she spoke with in writing an autistic character? Did she talk to autistic kids? Having an autistic character is great; using one as nothing more than a plot device or teaching tool is bad.

This was such a clever way to learn about Australia and the real danger of extinction. The story was heartwarming without being over the top. I loved every page.

Officially, Tasmanian tigers are extinct. However, there are signs that there may still be some hidden in the Tasmanian forest. Unfortunately, the century-old island sanctuary may soon be gone; a mining operation will have control of the land.

Louisa travels to the place where her mom grew up to spend a summer with her uncle before the mining company destroys the land. She is not sure about being there, especially when she hears how far it is from town. She is nervous about snakes, huge spiders, and other wildlife in Australia, but soon learns to enjoy herself and makes a friend, Colin, who has autism.

As she learns more about her family’s history—including her great-grandma’s establishment of the sanctuary—she finds herself drawn to the fate of the tigers. She discovers that there may be a way to entice the reclusive tiger to come closer so that it can be moved to a safer part of the forest before the mining company arrives.

This book was unputdownable. Once I finished reading it, I looked up everything I could about Tasmanian tigers. Then I read it again. It’s one I will be re-reading periodically and is a book I recommend for classroom and school libraries. It would also make a great read-aloud or literature circle book.

I received a free eARC from Netgally in exchange for an honest review.

Instead of spending her summer in Toronto, Louisa finds herself in the Tasmanian bush under the care of her mom’s brother, Uncle Ruff. She’s understandably frustrated; she barely knows the man, let alone the environment. As the weeks pass, Louisa’s apprehension is replaced by curiosity. Not just about the incredible surroundings (this U.S.-based reader was introduced to so many flora and fauna), but also the deep ties that her own family has with the land. Kadarusman offers a compelling story that deftly combines environmentalism, empathy, and the importance of standing up for your beliefs. I appreciate the inclusion of the neurodiversity and neurodiverse individuals (Colin, a boy who Louisa befriends, is on the autism spectrum). Kudos also to the author for having characters recognize, however briefly, the land rights of Aboriginal Australians. Some readers may be put off by this, as a kind of virtue signaling. In the context of the story, however, it makes perfect sense. All in all, a great read with warm, lyrical prose that doesn’t miss a beat.

Music for Tigers is ideal for children transitioning from fiction to non fiction or vice versa. Louisa's time in Australia connects her to every member of her family while helping her realize she doesn't have to be defined by a single passion. She doesn't have to choose music or science something that becomes clear when she hears the rhythm of the jungle. This truly original story is one you haven't read before.

What an intriguing and fantastic book! I have enjoyed Michelle Kadarusman's writing before, and loved this title as well. I read Music for Tigers in one sitting, punctuated only by pausing to google images of the various creatures mentioned in the book. I was fascinated with the idea of a family legacy of caring for endangered creatures, and it brought to mind often the Endling books by Katherine Applegate - a completely different genre of books, to be sure, but also stories that deal with extinction and endangerment of species. The way that music is intertwined through the story was beautiful, connecting Louisa to both the tiger and her great-grandmother. There are powerful themes of family, friendship, and making the right choices, as well as neurodiversity, anxiety, and grief. I love finding books that include a nuanced, multi-layered story and tell it in under 200 pages, and Music for Tigers definitely fits that bill. Finding that in a book set in a beautiful, far-off land that few of my students will ever see - that is priceless! I cannot wait to share this book with students, teachers, and anyone else who loves a good story!

I was, for a time, rather obsessed with the idea that Tasmanian Tigers might still be out there, so this book really scratched an itch for me. And it's especially believable since the plot centers on an animal refute in a remote wilderness, where a dog-sized animal might still have a foothold. The metaphor of the rare animal standing in for the character's differences, for anxiety or autism, is a bit heavy handed. The ending is hopeful if not entirely satisfying.

I loved the intention of this book to share about conservation, animal protection, and feature character on the autism spectrum. However, it just didn't compel me. It's fine but not amazing.

This was a beautifully written almost lyrical (musical) story. There are so many themes that will appeal to middle grade readers--Australia, conservation, extinct/endangered animals, friendship, music, neurodiversity, and more. This is actually my first summer reading book of 2020 and I can’t wait to have some students read it for feedback, but now I have to wait until the fall.

When Louisa arrives to stay with her Uncle Ruf in Tasmania at the family’s wilderness sanctuary, she is suffering anxiety because of her upcoming violin audition. As she learns more about the sanctuary’s purpose, she blends her musical talents into their mission. Her relationship with Colin leads her to understand neurodiversity and copes with her own issues. I really enjoyed the conservation and hopeful messages in this one. I will definitely be checking out other books by Kadarusman!

There is a lot going on this book with friendship issues, anxiety and the environmental issues but it all comes together in an authentic way. I liked the setting since we don’t see many books set in Australia. I really love the way Louisa befriends Colin who has ASD, accepts his quirkiness and tries to coach him on how to read social cues. I can see this one appealing to all kinds of readers.

I feel like this book slipped right into my TBR calendar almost as elusively as the Tasmanian tigers in the story. I’d never heard of a Tasmanian tiger or Thylacine until reading MUSIC FOR TIGERS. As I read descriptions of them– the stiff tail, dog-like face, tiger stripes– my curiosity only grew until I had to look online and get a visual for it. I found some video footage of the last Tasmanian tiger in captivity. It’s pretty wild looking!

In terms of the story, I loved Louisa from the getgo. I loved her passion for her music and felt a kinship with her over her battle with anxiety. I loved the way her relationship with her uncle developed as well as with her neighbor, Colin, who is possibly my favorite character in the whole book. I definitely identified with his mom and her heartbreak over Colin’s hurts and loneliness. She so wants him to find his people, and I absolutely feel like I get that.

The plot was not what drove the story for me. I think I kept wanting them to come up with a way to save the camp or raise awareness of the animals that destroying it endangered. But that wasn’t really the story. It was more an internal growth story about Louisa coming to understand her family and fall in love with things she didn’t expect to, which I really love, but it’s hard to make that as compelling a plot as something more concrete.

On the whole, I’m super glad I read this book and really enjoyed it. I think fans of BE LIGHT LIKE A BIRD or CHIRP will enjoy MUSIC FOR TIGERS. I know I’ll be recommending it!

Note: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I really enjoyed Louisa's adventure in Australia. Michelle Kadarusman's writing is fantastic. She really paints a picture of the Tasmanian Jungle. It's a great family story. There's positive autism representation and Aboriginal representation in this book. Kadarusman writes a great tale of the connection between Louisa's family, the land, and the animals of Tasmania.

Thank you to Netgalley and Myrick Marketing and Media, LLC Pajama Press for an ARC of Music for Tigers. I am giving an honest opinion in exchange for a copy of the book. As a sixth grade reading teacher, I am thrilled to highly recommend this story. Very rarely do we find a book that fits so many niches for a vast amount of middle school readers. For reluctant readers, the unique setting and mystery will draw them into the story. The reader immediately feels at home and enthralled with Tasmania. Even though this is not a fantasy book, the writing is magical in its ability to transport you half way around the word in two time periods. The setting becomes like a character. Inquisitive minds will want to research the vast array of unique animals presented in the story. This book is unique in its ability to be interesting to on grade level/ higher readers while at the same time draw in the lower or reluctant readers without frustrating them. The words choices are fantastic but not overdone or confusing. The friendship developed between the protagonist and a neurodiverse character is presented in a memorable and caring way. The dynamic characters are interesting and as the mystery unfolds through her great grandmother's journals- keeps the pages turning. The relationships that are built through the story provide springboards for meaningful classroom and home conversations. This is a perfect book club book. It is a fast read with an interesting cover and unique setting. The themes of finding confidence, acceptance of others, and the balance between economics and environment is executed masterfully- not preaching and political. I cannot express my gratitude enough to the author for finding that balance. In recent years- political driving agendas plowing through adolescent literature has been infuriating. Topics are dropped into story lines just to get a politically correct box checked off to bolster sales rather than presenting the complexity of controversial issues. This author provides authenticity for her themes that should be a model for other middle school authors. I encourage all middle school and upper elementary teachers to put this book on your radar. If I can, I am going to try to get my school to get a set of books to add to my book club choices.

I loved this fascinating book that features the natural history of Tasmania, the plight of endangered species as well was family connections, friendships and neurodiversity. It was well-paced, well-written and provoked the desired emotions of awe and sadness at the loss of species due to human activity. Read thanks to Netgalley.

I had troubles with this one, it just doesn’t appeal. The story isn’t engaging or making me want to finish. I really struggled. The characters felt flat to me, and the mystery was a good plot line, but somehow it didn’t draw me in.

Louisa is a middle schooler who wants to stay at home this summer and practice her violin, but her scientist parents want her to go and spend the summer with her uncle in a remote part of Australia. This story weaves together animal protection, family history, neurological difference, anxiety, and habitat loss in a wonderful middle grade story. I would highly recommend it!

In a single word: brilliant.

From start to finish, Music for Tigers is absolutely brilliant.

The power of Kadarusman's story telling of Louisa discovering truths of her family, world, and self, is intricately interwoven with discussions of deforestation, species extinction, effects of mining, neurodiversity and the difficulties that arise from being neurally diverse, childhood anxiety, normalizing cognitve behavioral therapy, the strength of family, friends, and nature.

Music for Tigers is a book for all ages, we are blessed to have Michelle Kadarusman's voice speaking to our next generation of readers. By far one of my favorite reads of the year.

Buy this as a gift for every young or young at heart person you know, and pick up a copy for yourself while you're at it.