The Remarkable Farkle McBride

Farkle McBride is a prodigy when it comes to musical instruments but he just can't seem to stick to one. Every other year he masters a new instrument and tires of it, getting bored of it's one lonely sound. But when at a concert, the conductor falls ill and they ask Farkle McBride to step in. He discovers that conducting is his passion and that he LOVES the way all of the instruments sound together. He is now satisfied. Appropriate for ages 3-6.
(Children's Museum of Tacoma library)

Summary:
This is a picture book about a little boy who has a natural talent for music. He can play any instrument he wants, but every year or so he gets tired of it and throws it out. Everyone loves hearing him play! By the end of the book he decides he likes hearing all of the instruments together better than just one at a time. When he is 10 years old he gets the chance to be a conductor, and that's what he ends up loving more than anything.

Personal reaction:
I loved this book. The illustrations are great! I think this book is good for showing kids that they don't have to stick with one thing just because people say they're good at it. Kids might want to discover other things they're good at, but it does take time.

Classroom extension:
1. show more Kids could get in a circle and talk about what their talents are and if/why they like doing it. They could demonstrate it in a show and tell time.
2. The students could go see the band and learn about the instruments. show less

Farkle McBride has amazing musical talent, but he gets bored with his instrument quickly and takes up a new one. Once he has mastered each of the instruments in the orchestra, Farkle realizes that as conductor he can have control over them all at once.

The rhymes in the book make it great for reading out loud. I also enjoyed the illustrations. I do believe this is quality literature. I would happily include it in my school library. The book takes the reader to each section of the orchestra and teaches a little bit about each one without going too far over a young child’s head.

The book would be perfect to use in a music unit. Students could choose their favorite instrument from the book and learn about it.

SUMMARY:
Farkle has an incredible musical talent, however after only a year of playing various instruments he becomes bored. He masters every instrument needed for an orchestra. Finally, he realizes his true love is not playing instruments, but conducting an entire orchestra on his own!
PERSONAL REACTION:
The illustrations for this book are tremendously wonderful. I absolutely loved the context, it is beautifully written. I was captured by the easy word flow, and dynamic plot.
EXTENSION IDEAS:
I believe this would be a great book to read before "music time." I think this could really inspire students to work hard at learning their instruments.
This book could also add to a lesson on never giving up. Keep working hard, never give up, and you show more will achieve your goals. show less

Poetry - Narrative

This book is about Farkle McBride who has a special affinity for instruments. By the time he was three years old, he was playing the violin. However, despite trying many, many new instruments throughout his life (until he was nine) he couldn't find an instrument to satisfy him. At 10, he had the brilliant idea to be a conductor.

This is a good book for children because it uses a lot of alliteration and onomatopoeia to describe the sounds of the different instruments.

A musical prodigy learns a new instrument every year, then to be promptly thrown out when he gets tired of it. In the end he discovers conducting and listening to all the instruments together. Fun for the kids to mime the instruments.

Grade Level: 9
Reading Level: standard / average.
Reader's Age: 13-15 yrs. old (Eighth and Ninth graders)