Struts & Frets by Jon Skovron

Summary/Image from Publisher's website:

Told in a voice that’s honest, urgent, and hilarious, Struts & Frets will resonate not only with teenage musicians but with anyone who ever sat up all night listening to a favorite album, wondering if they’d ever find their place in the world.

Music is in Sammy’s blood. His grandfather was a jazz musician, and Sammy’s indie rock band could be huge one day—if they don’t self-destruct first. Winning the upcoming Battle of the Bands would justify all the band’s compromises and reassure Sammy that his life’s dream could become a reality. But practices are hard to schedule when Sammy’s grandfather is sick and getting worse, his mother is too busy to help either of them, and his best friend may want to be his girlfriend.

When everything in Sammy’s life seems to be headed for major catastrophe, will his music be enough to keep him together.

Review:
 
I don't know about you but I love it when books are inspiring in a way that makes you have the impulse to chase after your own dreams as soon as possible.  If you haven't guess already, Struts & Frets was exactly that- and more!
 
If I were asked to quickly sum up Struts & Frets in a few words, a lot would come to mind. One being inspirational, obviously, along with moving and poignant. Since in all honesty that's just how Sammy's coming of age tale was.
 
Sammy is a character who has a lot on his plate. For one, his band, the one thing that means the most to him, is on the verge of splitting because of one pompous lead singer; his grandad is going literally crazy; and he may or may not have feelings for his long-time best friend Jen5, another struggling artist in her own right.
Sammy is boy that not only is unique but whose struggle to be who he wants often hit a chord in me that related to his desire and need to be someone who not only he liked but who others could appreciate as well. I also enjoyed seeing his relationships with other main characters be a big part of the novel. My favorite out of the bunch would be the one with his grandfather. Since it was so perfectly done and often made me think of that one adult among many in my life who always will support me and offer advice in the way that Sammy's grandad did with him. Becaus of this all, it was often heartbreaking to see Sammy dealing with the fact that this one major influence in his life was simply slipping away from him. Lastly, I liked how his relationship Jen5 showed how special yet frustrating young love can be.
 
While the plot of this was exciting and always tried to keep the novel moving, it often did not prove to be un-put-a-down-able, a fact that has overall brought my enjoyment of this novel down. Though I did enjoy the parts with the band and Sammy and his friends. I just feel that it could have been simply fantastic if upped up just a bit. Also, while I can see promise in Jon Skovron, one that may include in maybe, just maybe, becoming the next John Green, I felt that the writing was sometimes bland and his plot turns were, at times, predictable.
 
Though, in all, the fact of how inspiring this novel was, as well as the main characters, redeemed Struts & Frets, and leaves me to suggest this to all teen boys out there, as well as all you dreamers out there dreaming of something bigger and brighter; since this is the book for you! 
 
Grade: B
 
Struts & Frets is now out!
 
Source: Publicist at Amulet Books. As always thanks Laura.
 
Also be sure to check out Jon talking about Struts & Frets below: