This is Jeffrey Boakye’s debut novel and I look forward to reading more of his books already!
This is a brilliant middle grade story featuring Kofi, a Year 7 who starts his own business selling lyrical magazines, he is joined by his friend Kelvin.
There are some large themes in the book such as choosing to be kind rather than trying to be cool – really important value for children of all ages to understand.
I really enjoyed the 80’s music references, which some parents will as well! The book also tackles racism and living in a place where you cannot always trust your neighbours.

Highly recommend for Year 6 upwards

Thank you to NetGalley and Faber & Faber for the eARC!

This was a cute MG story with themes of friendship, family, and music. I loved the voice throughout the story, as well as the 80s/90s throwbacks, which I think will be fun for both kid readers and adult readers alike!

In Jeffrey Boakye’s middle grade debut, an entrepreneurial Year 7 sells lyrical magazines at school with the help of an unusually talented friend. This ‘90’s novel reads just as upbeat as its focal hip hop soundtrack!

I adored the characterisation of Kofi’s friend, Kelvin, who brought a quiet but powerful energy to the story. When Kofi had struggled to stick up for Kelvin at school, Kelvin was very forgiving. He had a lot to teach Kofi about choosing kindness over winning the approval of his peers. In the end, Kofi was able to correct his mistakes and step in once the cussing matches he had set up at school were starting to cross the line into abusive territory. He took a stand because the trust he had built with Kelvin was more important to him than his image at school. This novel has so much to teach young people about making the right decisions even when it’s difficult.

My full review can be found on my blog, The Books in Their Hands.

This book is really fun. Kofi is such a cool character. I loved reading about all of his entrepreneurial antics. Musical Truths is a favourite book of mine to read to the children in my school. I love finding the tracks on Spotify, listening and discussing them with the children. This book is equally filled with music, mainly tracks from the 80s and I think parents will enjoy the throwbacks if they're reading it with their children. One of the important lessons Kofi learns in this book is what it means to be a true friend and that "coolness" does not equal kindness. The book tackles aspects of racism and what it can be like to live on an estate where you can't always trust those around you. Although, Kofi also realises that you can't always judge someone by how they look... sometimes they might turn out to be just as much of a video game fan as you!