The Rising Star of Rusty Nail The Rising Star of Rusty Nail . Lesley M. M. Blume Alfred A. Knopf, 2007 Grade Level: 3-5 ISBN # and cost: 978-0-375-93524-4, $15.99 Blanket Permission to Reproduce Book Jackets: Knopf Books / Random House |
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Synopsis:
Franny Hansen is a ten-year old piano prodigy. She has a rival in her class who seems to have the money to buy her way to the top. Franny's piano teacher tells her that she has taught her everything she can, and that she needs to look for someone who can teach her more. Stuck in Rusty Nail, Minnesota, where is Franny going to find that teacher? Mysteriously, a Russian woman moves in next door. Franny tries her best to convince the “Commie” to teach her more about the piano against the many wishes of some townsfolk. Will Franny lose the respect of the local people in order to reach her musical dreams, and have more piano lessons?
General Review:
This book begins a little slowly, but starts to pick up intensity in the second section. Readers will not be able to turn the pages quickly enough in the last third! This would be a nice classroom read-aloud for older elementary, competitive classes.
Themes: Friendship, School, Musicians, Russia
Author information:
http://www.lesleymmblume.com/RustyNail/
Discussion Questions: (Standard 3; Benchmark 3)
- What character do you like most in this book? Why? How is this character like you or unlike you? In what ways are his experiences similar or different from yours?
- How do you feel about the ending of the book? Why? How might you change the ending if you were the author? Why would you change it this way? How might this change in the plot alter the author's message?
- Why do you think the author wrote this book? What was her purpose? Did she succeed? How? What is the main theme or idea overall? Do you agree with this message? Why or why not?
Activities:
• Challenge students to research some of the musicians listed in the story.
(Standard 1; Benchmark 1)
- Listen to the music of various composers. Read a biography about a composer
(Standard 1; Benchmark 1)
Similar Books for Further Reading
- Maria Von Trapp:Beyond the Sound of Music (Trailblazer Biographies) by Ransom, Candice F.
- Piano Starts Here: The Young Art Tatum by Parker, Robert Andrew .
- After Tupac & D Foster , by Woodson, Jacqueline.
- The Voice that Challenged a Nation: Marian Anderson and the Struggle for Equal Rights by Freedman, Russell.
