Open Daily: 10am - 10pm | Alley door pickup 10am - 7pm 3038 Hennepin Ave Minneapolis, MN
612-822-4611

  • Open Daily: 10am - 10pm
    Alley-side Pickup: 10am - 7pm

    3038 Hennepin Ave Minneapolis, MN
    612-822-4611

Open Daily: 10am - 10pm | Alley-side Pickup: 10am - 7pm
3038 Hennepin Ave Minneapolis, MN
612-822-4611
Private Lessons

Private Lessons

Salaysay, Cynthia

Paperback

Young Adult Fiction

Currently unavailable to order

ISBN10: 1536230413
ISBN13: 9781536230413
Publisher: Candlewick Press (MA)
Published: May 14 2024
Pages: 320
Weight: 0.63
Height: 0.87 Width: 5.55 Depth: 8.23
Language: English
Beautifully explores topics not often addressed. . . . Claire's need for affection and acceptance leads her into entirely believable and utterly sad encounters, while the strength she musters carries her through to an uplifting conclusion. --Booklist (starred review)

After seventeen-year-old Claire Alalay's father's death, only music has helped her channel her grief. Claire likes herself best when she plays his old piano, a welcome escape from the sadness--and her traditional Filipino mother's prayer groups. In the hopes of earning a college scholarship, Claire auditions for Paul Avon, a prominent piano teacher, who agrees to take Claire as a pupil. Soon Claire loses herself in Paul's world and his way of digging into a composition's emotional core. She practices constantly, foregoing a social life, but no matter how hard she works or how well she plays, it seems impossible to gain Paul's approval, let alone his affection. Author Cynthia Salaysay composes a moving, beautifully written portrait of rigorous perfectionism, sexual awakening, and the challenges of self-acceptance. Private Lessons is a timely and vital story that delves into a complicated student/teacher relationship, as well as class and cultural differences, with honesty and grace.

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