Nadja on My Way Glb

Salerno-Sonnenberg, Nadja

ISBN 10: 0517573911 ISBN 13: 9780517573914

Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers, 1989

The author, a young violinist, explains how she became involved with music, and describes the life of a traveling soloist

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From School Library Journal:

Grade 5-8-- A gifted young concert violinist tells the story of her early life, years of study, and launching of her career. The style is breezy and brisk, dispelling any thought of a classical musician as stuffy and solemn. Salerno-Sonnenberg recounts in a straightforward, colloquial manner her struggles to succeed. Born in Italy, she came to America at the age of eight, knowing three words of English:"Yankees," " America," and "hot dog." She talks about baseball and taking walks in New York with as much enthusiasm as she describes the intricacies of the violin. Throughout, she adds details that will delight her readers: when she first attended the Curtis Institute in Philadelphia she was too small to pull the huge front doors open and had to wait for someone to come out before she could enter. The freshness of her expressive writing will keep readers turning the pages, even if they are not musicians themselves, as when she describes cutting class and hiding in the huge organ pipes with potato chips and "Spiderman" comics. Her serious intent about her music is what will stay with readers in the end, as well as the way in which she embraces life and makes all experience a part of her music. This is an inspirational book in the finest sense--a real find for those librarians who struggle always to produce a readable choice for the perennial autobiography assignment. --Connie C. Rockman, The Ferguson Library, Stamford, CT
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Publishers Weekly:

In this frank and funny autobiography, young violinist Salerno-Sonnenberg proves that she has an ear not only for music, but for a deft turn of phrase as well. Who, for example, can resist when she calls Richard Strauss's "Salome" the operatic equivalent of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre --or later, recalling her brief tenure at a high school in a tough part of Philadelphia, when she refers to herself as a "nerd among sharks"? This sort of self-deprecating humor and refreshingly matter-of-fact attitude about her enormous talent will make Nadja's story instantly accessible to young readers. She writes eloquently of her early years in Italy, of her lifelong passion for music, of growing up poor, and of the rebellious streak that was almost her undoing. Hard work won out, though, and while at Juilliard, Nadja won the prestigious Naumburg Competition, which launched her career. She's a spirited young woman, and her candid insights into some of the down sides of competition and a performance career make this book a must for any serious young musician. Ages 10-14.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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