Always love a book about music nerds, and for sure if it is about fighting to keep the arts in school. Took me back, and I loved it!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me free access to the advanced digital copy of this book.

This book is perfect for fans of Because of Mr. Terupt or other realistic fiction stories where a school-based drama unfolds through the perspectives of multiple 8th graders. It has deeply satisfying character growth arcs, strong friendship themes, and surprising plot twists. When Mr. Lewis, the beloved Jazz Lab teacher suddenly stops coming to school and a rumor starts that programs that only benefit a few kids will likely be cut, the small but mighty group of 5 Jazz Lab students and their troublemaker friend decide to stage a protest. This is a really vital story to understand the valuable role that non-academic programs can play to help students feel confident, and motivated, and bring their whole selves to school.

Thank you to NetGalley, author Mylisa Larsen, and Clarion Books for providing me with a free ARC in exchange for my honest review!

I was excited for this book because I was in band in junior high, and it is nice to see representation in MG books for more "artsy" kids! Sadly, this book did not fully live up to my expectations. I thought the overall messaging of standing up for what you believe in through the lens of supporting the arts in schools was well-done and important for young students to read. I liked seeing each of the characters' confidence grow as the book progressed and realizing that they all had their own voices they can use. However, my biggest issue with Playing Through the Turnaround was all of the perspectives. The book follows 5 main characters that alternate chapters from each perspective. The chapters were very short with many being only 2 or 3 pages, which made the book feel extremely choppy. It was hard to connect with each character because there was not enough space or length to get a full picture of all 5 characters. The chapters were written in third person, which also made me feel held at arm's length from fully getting the characters' perspective. The writing felt repetitive and choppy, and I felt myself confused at times on who's chapter I was reading. Ultimately, this book had great ideas with poor execution, but I do feel like this book could be enjoyed by middle grade readers who are looking for something fun to read.

Moving title about a group of middle school band students who set out to protect their beloved jazz band teacher, as well as the music program itself. Great story about finding your voice and standing up for what's right

I love books that celebrate the arts and celebrate arts education! Having the opportunity to pursue music in school had such a big impact on my life, and I loved being able to read a narrative that celebrates and teaches audiences about the role an arts education can play in the lives of students. However, at some times, it felt like there was too much going on in this book; there were so many perspectives and so many personal stories, that I finished reading feeling like there were some characters I wished I had gotten the opportunity to learn more about.

But it's not a review from me if there weren't some tiny things that were bothering me while I was reading, but I think I had only because I work in a school/took music classes in school, including: Why wasn't Jazz Lab temporarily absorbed into the other band classes? Why didn't they talk to the other band teacher/other fine arts teachers at their school about saving the arts?? Why is the other band teacher just not mentioned at all, even though there had to have been one???

Overall, I recommend this book, especially for readers who are interested in music and the fine arts. I've never played in a jazz band, so there could be some factual errors I missed, but I think this book does a great job being entertaining and thought-provoking, all while advocating for the arts in schools.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Separately, these six middle schoolers don’t appear to have much in common, but when they’re together twice a week for Jazz Lab, they have a crazy chemistry. Each has reasons why this class is their safe haven, but one day, their beloved music teacher, Mr. Lewis, stops showing up. Rumor has it that their club will cease to exist due to budget cuts. Further investigation shows theirs is not the only activity being eliminated. These hurt and angered students are fueled by their shared passion for music and they become a group of activists determined to fight for their cause., recruiting others along the way. If you’ve ever felt passionate about something, found a place where you truly belonged, or fought for something you believed in, this is the book for you.

I recieved an ARC of this book in exchange for a fair review.

I really wanted to like this book, from the start. As a band kid who played saxophones in Jazz band and a music teacher, the cover pulled me in. At first, though, it was a little slow going. Giving each character a seemingly disjointed chapter, switching focus with each, made it hard to follow. And that concerned me, because if I was struggling a bit, how much more would a middle grades reader do so? However,in many ways, that's the beauty of this book. Just as Jazz builds in layers by layers comong together as a whole, so does the story as the characters interweave. This book has a satisfactory climax, but not a satisfactory conclusion, making it extremely realistic, because often life is like that.

Overall this is an excellent book, which will especially appeal to musicians and other kids with less popular activities. I do not think it is necessarily the best choice for struggling readers due to the relatively slow start.

You will be cheering on the Jazz Lab club when you find out their plan in this upbeat, passion filled, music loving book. Mr. Lewis, a legend, works with the Jazz Lab every year to get them ready for the spring concert. When he disappears, the students think it’s due to budget cuts. They get most students at school to sign a petition only to find out it ends up in the garbage when the principal wouldn’t even read it. Parents don’t seem to care either about the possible cuts. What can the students do to let everyone know they don’t want budget cuts to any of the special programs? Wish I could give this book ten stars!

Thank you, HarperCollins Children's Books. for allowing me to read Playing Through the Turnaround early!

Mylisa Larsen narrated a very current tale in this middle-grade debut about budget cutting at the expense of the arts, not feeling heard and fighting for what one thinks it's right. Enjoyable and certainly a quick read, Playing Through the Turnaround, joyfully filled my afternoon.