Debut writer Austin Paramore and artist Sarah Bollinger are in perfect harmony in this funny and emotional book.
Malcolm plays everything safe, right down the middle of life. Things change key when he gets hold of a LK-2000 keyboard that’s cursed with the soul of an old Jazz musician.
Malcolm has some tough choices to make in this story of loyalty, friendship and family secrets.
Can he perform the perfect song? Does he have what it takes?
This is a lovely book with a beautiful message at its heart. The illustrations are perfect for the story, you’ll not want to skip past them. Words and pictures in tune with the story and a hook that keeps you reading until the end.

First off, I liked the artwork in this graphic novel. It's easy to distinguish between the characters and that is something I always find hit or miss with graphic novels and manga. At first, I have to admit that the story confused me. I didn't quite grasp some of the things that happened on the commute to school and then the relationship between Malcolm and the school group. I get that the guy in the pawn shop is supposed to be confusing - still not 100% sure who he is. But for the main characters, this sorted itself out once the story transitioned to more figuring out how to help the musician with his challenge.

Malcolm is a very real character, someone who is both likeable and dislikable in turn. His reactions were consistent with someone of his age, and while I am not that age, I was able to relate to how he was acting and reacting. January too. I liked the quest approach, the whole helping a ghost, and how the stories all interwove, although not a total surprise to be honest.

All in all, this was a fun read with some unique elements. I expect there to be more books given how it ended, so will definitely keep an eye out for them.

Heartwarming and silly, this graphic novel is such a fun story! Malcolm is an aspiring musician who, after his keyboard accidently gets broken, gets roped into a dubious deal for a new one. He encounters a ghost stuck in the keyboard who can only escape if the perfect song is played. Malcolm, with the help of his friend, sets out to help the ghost in exchange for learning how to be a better musician. I really enjoyed both the art and the story. Also, for what seems to be a stand alone comic this ended on one heck of a cliffhanger! I hope there is another volume.

Thank you to @OniPress for the ARC. Wow this graphic novel was amazing. Malcolm loves music and playing the piano. His father wants him to find something else as a career/hobby. Malcolm has to find a way to have his fathers approval and find out who the man is in his dreams.

mild content warnings:
alcoholism (mentioned, not shown)
bullying
murder of a sibling (in the past, not shown)

Malcolm Kid loves music. He carries around a broke keyboard because it's all he can afford. His dad isn't accepting of his dreams of being a musician, which causes tension between them. While Ary, a friend he hasn't spoken to in a while, fights with her boyfriend at school, his keyboard breaks and she offers to buy him a new one, A new music store opens up in town and the owner gives them the perfect deal - the keyboard is free, but only if Malcolm can write the perfect song. Is this a dream come true?

This graphic novel was so much fun! I loved the ghostly realm and how it tied into Malcolm's life. It had just enough emotions to make me almost tear up t while still being fun enough to laugh while reading. My nieces LOVED this and thought it was really neat to see a girl like Ary who looks like them. The ending was such a good twist and I hope it leads to a sequel!

This is such a heartwarming book! I enjoy the well-written character development, engaging narrative, amusing humor, and stunning graphic style. Unfortunately, for me, the plot twist is quite predictable. However, I adore this narrative about passion, adventure, and growth. I definitely want to read another work from this author.

Thank you to Netgalley and Oni Press for an ARC.

Absolutely great book! I look forward to a second book in the series! The characters are well crafted, the story is interesting, and the art is lovely and accessible.

Solidly 6th grade +

This graphic novel just climbed to my top 3 favourites ever!

I am so impressed with everything about it! The cover, the characters, the art sequence, the dialogue delivery, the outstanding side characters, the plot, the chemistry between the main characters, the twist and the ending.

There’s absolutely nothing I can complain about.

Trust me on this one. Go into it blindly. You will be surprised.

⌛️Mark the publication date: 1st August 2023 ♥️

Thank you, Oni Press, for the advance reading copy.

Malcolm loves music more than anything, something that his father simply does not understand. He wants him to have a more practical future, and discourages him whenever he can.

But, Malcolm will not give up, and when the cheap keyboard gets destroyed, he meets a mysterious shopkeeper who gives him a new keyboard, but asks for nothing in return. The keyboard is haunted by an old jazz musician who has spent all his life, and his afterlife, looking for the perfect song, but as yet has been unable to find it.

Malcolm and his best friend January, try to find out more about the Jazz guy, trying to track down people who might have played with him, so they can understand how to find the perfect song, and help him.

It is a story full of passion, mystery, and wit. Malcolm is determined, as is January, to solve the mystery. I like how they search and try to trace down his music from when he was alive, and when we find out *why* at last, Malcolm’s dad hate music so much.

Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review. It is being published August 1, 2023, from Oni Press.

I received an ARC courtesy of NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Malcolm is a musician that finds himself without an instrument. When an old friend finds a deal on a keyboard that is "too good to be true" Malcolm definitely gets more than he bargained for.

I really appreciated how this book was more about the journey and growth than about rushing to a solution. The character building was so well done and the illustrations were amazing. Both together made me feel like these were people that you could easily come across in real life. This is definitely a book that I could see myself reading again and again.