I loved this book. As a parent, it prompted a lot of reflection. I strive to support my kids, as we all do. But I made a lot of missteps with my older kids that I really wish I hadn't. This book is sad, disappointing, angering, inspiring, and hopeful. Thank you, Sarah, for sharing your story with us.

This wonderful graphic novel was a pleasure to read and to look at. The story follows a middle-school student, Lucy, who transfers to a new school that is more difficult academically, and has a more challenging band experience, which is what she really loves. Away from school, her home life is chaotic and difficult, as one of her parents is an alcoholic. Lucy facing the challenges of keeping up in a new school, trying to make and keep friends, and struggling to understand what is happening at home makes this book a compelling read.

this book was very good. the art style was a kind i don't see very often, but for this book i really enjoyed it. the characters were pretty full, except for the main character, the most important character. for me this character felt a little 2d, especially in contrast to the other, very in depth characters. while her family, mostly her parents, are 3d, i would not say she is as much as i'd like her too be. but overall a good read.

thanks to netgalley and the publisher for letting me read it in advance!

Loved seeing a graphic novel about being in band as this will appeal to so many young readers since music programs are a large part of many schools. This was a great title and kids will definitely relate to the themes presented.

This was a really great graphic novel to look at transitions as we change schools and changes at home.
Lucy is struggling to fit in at her new school. She makes some new friends, but is struggling with her grades and her home life. She thinks she needs to be perfect for her parents to stop fighting and things to go back to normal.
She struggles, but then finds where she fits in and how to move forward after talking with the school counselor.
This is a great book for anyone struggling with school and home life. By reading this book they can see that they are not alone.
A good middle grade graphic novel.

Thanks NetGalley for this ARC

Starting at a new school is tough, especially when it's a rigorous fine arts program. Lucy's thrilled to be there, but juggling demanding classes, band practice, and forging new friendships while her home life is imploding proves to be a huge challenge. Her parents' constant fighting and her father's struggles with alcoholism create a turbulent backdrop to her already stressful new reality. And Lucy isn't alone. The story also explores the struggles of her classmates, one grappling with the loss of a parent to addiction, another buckling under the pressure of a perfectionist parent.

This graphic novel tackles some incredibly difficult and relevant issues that many young readers face. It doesn't shy away from the messy realities and complexities of these situations, offering a raw and honest portrayal. For anyone struggling with similar challenges, this book could be a powerful reminder that they're not alone.

Lucy, a middle schooler and the eldest of three siblings, has begged her parents to allow her to enroll in a fancy performing arts school so she can excel at the one thing she’s good at: playing the flute. Navigating a new social arena, practicing the flute to best all the other kids who were the top players at other schools, and keeping her grades above failing are tough—but none of those difficulties compare to what she’s dealing with at home.

Within the first 15 pages, it was clear this wasn’t going to be a light, fluffy MG book. On one hand, I’m in! On the other, whoa, I’d be a little apprehensive throwing this on the graphic novel section of my class library without a trigger warning for kids dealing with an alcoholic, aggressive parent, and another who’s worn thin and enabling. This graphic novel didn’t shy away from difficult topics; it treated them with care and at an appropriate but honest level for MG readers. Comparing it to Rollergirl and New Kid isn’t right, in my opinion. This much more closely fits the tone of Hey, Kiddo.

The social dynamics of a middle school were realistic, and none of the backstories of the characters were over the top. Aside from Lucy, one of the girls lives with her grandmother after living through her own hard times, another misses out on hangouts because of having to watch younger siblings for working parents, and another has an overbearing, perfectionist of a mother. This felt very true to what my students go through at home that their friends probably don’t know about. It’ll help MG readers realize that they’re not alone in their troubles, and that their friends might be dealing with more than they know, too.

Cormarie’s art style fit the bill, too. The bright colors emphasized clear, expressive faces on the characters—sometimes in an almost Peanuts-esque way.

In this graphic novel, Lucy Carver is navigating a new school and friends while dealing with complex family issues. Lucy loves music and performing her flute in the school band. She decides to enroll in a prestigious school to hone in on her craft. Once accepted, she faces a level of competition she hadn't anticipated, adding pressure to her already demanding academic workload. Meanwhile, at home, Lucy's father's struggle with alcoholism creates further strain on the family. The story follows Lucy as she attempts to find balance amidst these competing forces.

This graphic novel is a sensitive and relatable read for teens, particularly those who have experienced or are familiar with the impact of addiction. The story doesn't shy away from the challenges of alcoholism, making it a potentially powerful and thought-provoking choice for young readers.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

I really loved this, as a former flute player myself! Not only was the art so well done, the story was, too. I could feel Lucy’s emotions, and I was happy to see her get support and love - and to find solutions for the problems in her life.

Thank you so much for allowing me to read this ARC!

12 year old Lucy has a lot going on - new school, vying for first chair flute in band, struggling with issues at home and navigating new friendships. Gracefully handles the sensitive topic of parental addiction and it's impact on families. Also normalizes therapy and reaching out for help.

I loved how this book tackled really tough topics—an alcoholic parent, parents fighting and divorce, friendship trouble, fitting in, new schools, parental expectations—in a really authentic way and through the eyes of a middle schooler. I rooted so much for Lucy and appreciated how loved and supported she was by her friends, teachers and family. The illustrations were also charming. It’s not a light read but it’s got some levity and is a beautiful story.

This is the first time I’ve ever read a comic (or honestly anything) that has shown the reality of a household with an addict or abusive situations in general. It was great to see how it touched on the fact grades slip and children beat themselves up when the home life isn’t going well. I loved this

Thank you to Netgalley for the early copy.

Band Nerd was definitely a deep and thought provoking read. Lucy is new to an arts school and wants to be first chair, however the story is so much deeper than just this idea. While dealing with the normal every day drama that does come with being in middle school, the author also dives into the ways that alcoholism, drug use, and high expectations from home and parents can shape children and their choices. This was definitely deeper than I expected but not unwanted.

The world needs more graphic novels about band kids! This is a great addition to any middle grade graphic novel section. It tackles friendship, school, and issues with parents (the main character's father is an alcoholic) and how those things can put pressure on children. Lucy is a likable and relatable main character and it is great to see how she grows in the book.

"Band Nerd" by Sarah Clawson Willis is an engaging and enjoyable read. The narrative vividly portrays the experiences associated with being part of a school band, encompassing both the challenges and triumphs involved. The characters are highly relatable, and the vibrant artwork enhances the overall experience, making it a pleasure to peruse. For those who have a passion for music or have ever experienced a sense of not belonging, this graphic novel effectively encapsulates that sentiment. It is certainly a title worth exploring.

From the cover you would suspect this was about something a bit more cheerful but don’t be fooled this book covers a lot of big sensitive topics. I think it’s a great read for middle schoolers, I would check trigger warnings. While I’m not the target audience I did enjoy this one.


Thank you NetGalley and to the publishers for giving me this arc in exchange for my honest review.

Facing the music can be hard.
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Lucy is leaving her old school behind for a school for the arts so she can play her flute in a better band. However, the classwork is harder and Lucy is no longer first chair like she was at her old school. Home life isn’t like it used to be either with her father out of work and how he spends his days and nights drinking. When an accident leaves Lucy unable to play the flute, she makes a bad decision at school that ends up putting her school career in jeopardy.
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From the cover one would think this is a lighthearted MG graphic novel While it does have some sweet moments and hopeful ending, most of the #book was filled with Lucy’s strife. It being marketed in relation to Roller Girl and I don’t believe that’s an apt comparison. This is definitely upper middle grade that packs quite a punch that many students will connect with and relate to. It focuses on the topic of addiction in a way that is similar to Hey Kiddo, but not YA. I truly enjoyed this title—couldn’t put it down! I just wish HarperAlley was marketing it better.

CW: alcoholism, addiction, theft, fire, injury, divorce, domestic/family fighting, death of a parent (recounted), alcohol

This was a very sweet book. I loved reading it from the perspective of a band nerd, just like I was in school. It was very easy to connect with the main character! There are some harder to read topics in this book, but the author portrayed them perfectly and I loved the ending!

Interesting MG graphic novel about 12 year old Lucy, a so-so student who has recently begun attending an arts magnet school against her parents' best judgement. Lucy's struggles to master a more difficult curriculum and much higher expectations in band are set against a backdrop of her father's worsening alcoholism and the breakdown of her parents marriage. While her parents problems clearly aren't her fault, Lucy becomes convinced that if she can just secure first chair flute her life will go back to the way it was before her father lost his job and became an alcoholic. This is one first book I've seen in graphic novel format to explore parental alcoholism without including abuse, which was unique and probably much needed in terms of representation. Issues discussed include alcoholism, divorce, anxiety, parental pressure, drug abuse (briefly), parental death (briefly), and managing friendships.

E ARC provided by Netgalley

Lucy is starting a new school in Windley, North Carolina in this graphic novel. It's a school for the arts, and she's hoping to be the first chair flautist, just like she was at her previous school. Even though it's nerve wracking to leave a comfortable environment, it's better than being at home with younger siblings Elizabeth and Liam when their mother, a busy nurse, and their father, an out of work lawyer, are constantly fighting over money and household responsibilities. Luckily, Malia, an 8th grader, is super nice on the bus and helps her get her bearings at school. The other flute players, like Neela, are nice, but Tolli is odd. Her mother is a former opera singer who is very pushy, and expects Tolli to be first chair. The school expects Lucy to have her own flute, which is a hardship for the family, because $400 would go a long way towards food and rent. Even though money is tight, a lot of money is spent on beer for the father, who, as we learn, once had to go to the hospital because he was so intoxicated. Lucy is very embarrassed by his actions, and missed the father he used to be. When Tolli makes first chair, Lucy is devastated, but she takes comfort in hanging out with Malia and her grandmother, who likes to bake. When they take Lucy home one day, Lucy's father is passed out and can't be woken up. Malia's grandmother stays with the kids, and is very understanding, since Malia's mother died of a drug overdose, and is very supportive of Lucy's mom. Lucy does talk to the school counselor, since the academic demands of the school are higher than her old school. When her father is supposed to be watching the children, Lucy sustains an injury, and this is enough to propel her mother to move into the hotel with the children and start divorce proceedings. This is hard on Lucy, and who steals Tolli's music before a challenge. She's discovered and has to go to a meeting with her parents at school, but manages to get the help she needs to cope as her family goes forward.
Strengths: I played oboe in middle and high school and spent an inordinate amount of time practicing. The two other oboe players and I were always going back and forth, and being first chair is just a huge thing at that age, even in a regular school. I can't imagine the pressure in a performing arts school. It was very nice to see Lucy connect to Malia and her grandmother, and have some support. Lucy's home life is difficult, and the author's own experiences (mentioned in an afterword) add to the slice-of-life feel of this. It was interesting to see her joke with her friends about her father getting drunk; I can't imagine sharing this kind of information, but it is certainly one way to cope with a difficult situation. The father does go into rehab twice, and the family is going forward in a more positive direction by the end of the book.
Weaknesses: There is a wide array of graphic novels about problems, but very few about children in sports, so I do wish that we would see a little more variety in the graphic novels that are published. Also, there was something uncomfortable about the father being drawn in only boxer shorts without a shirt, although I am sure this reflects real life.
What I really think: There are very few books about band, (exceptions include Walter's The Club, Grosso's I Am Drums, Dionne's Notes From an Accidental Band Geek, and Herbach's Gabe Johnson Takes Over, aka Fat Boy vs. the Cheerleaders) and I know that music was a big part of my middle school career. There are even fewer books about parents who are alcoholics, other than Deuker's 2024 Shadowed, Hautmann's 2024 Answers to Dog, Petro-Roy's 2021 Life in the Balance, Vrabel's 2018 Bringing Me Back, and Sonnenblick's The Secret Sheriff of Sixth Grade.