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Music Camp
Miley and Juliet have nothing in common, apart from a love of music.
Miley lives in a caravan because she lost her home in a flood, so she's excited to win a scholarship to attend the five-day Music Camp. This is her chance to prove to everyone that the recorder is a serious musical instrument.
Flautist Juliet comes from classical music royalty. Her late father was an esteemed clarinet player and she wants to honour his legacy. She's also keen to make friends with people who don't know about her tragic past – though perhaps not with that girl who thinks the recorder is a serious musical instrument.
Over the week, Miley and Juliet don't always see eye to eye, especially when they both audition for the only woodwind solo at the final night's concert. But with torrential rain threatening to flood the camp, their dreams might get washed away. Can they put their differences aside and face the music together?
Miley lives in a caravan because she lost her home in a flood, so she's excited to win a scholarship to attend the five-day Music Camp. This is her chance to prove to everyone that the recorder is a serious musical instrument.
Flautist Juliet comes from classical music royalty. Her late father was an esteemed clarinet player and she wants to honour his legacy. She's also keen to make friends with people who don't know about her tragic past – though perhaps not with that girl who thinks the recorder is a serious musical instrument.
Over the week, Miley and Juliet don't always see eye to eye, especially when they both audition for the only woodwind solo at the final night's concert. But with torrential rain threatening to flood the camp, their dreams might get washed away. Can they put their differences aside and face the music together?
- GenresMiddle GradeMusic
233 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 3, 2025
10 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
May 5, 2025
Penny Tangey is a qualified librarian who has written a variety of books for young people, including the picture book Granbad, an Aussie STEM Stars title about endocrinologist Creswell Eastman and the middle grade novel As Fast As I Can, which won the Readings Children’s Book Prize in 2021.
Music Camp is a dual-POV middle grade novel that follows a group of kids from country Victoria through the highs and lows of five days at Year 6 Music Camp. One narrator, Miley, has lived in a caravan since she and her single mum lost their home to a flood the previous year. Miley is passionate about the recorder and hopes attending the camp will help convince others it’s a serious musical instrument. The other narrator, Juliet, lost her musician father to illness. She’s looking forward to auditioning for a flute solo for the end-of-camp concert and making new friends who don’t see her as the sad “dead-dad girl”.
As the camp progresses, the young musicians face a variety of challenges, from jealousy, friendship dramas and first crushes to, eventually, another flood and subsequent evacuation. The core characters are complex and well-developed, with two major supporting characters coded as neurodivergent and a minor character who is non-binary. The characters behave in believable tween-like ways, including mild rule-breaking, risk-taking and experiencing anxiety over climate change. Tangey is a founding member of Kid Lit for Climate Action, a passion that comes through in the narrative without being the central topic.
The premise of this book appealed to this musically inclined reviewer and former band kid from the start, but a particular highlight upon reading it was the accurate use of musical terminology. This is rarer than one might think! It’s wonderful to see an Australian middle grade offering that centres and celebrates instrumental music; Music Camp is a treat both for fellow “music nerds” and for fans of contemporary realistic fiction.
This would be a suitable Reader’s Cup title for Years 5/6.
This review was first shared on StoryLinks Australia.
Music Camp is a dual-POV middle grade novel that follows a group of kids from country Victoria through the highs and lows of five days at Year 6 Music Camp. One narrator, Miley, has lived in a caravan since she and her single mum lost their home to a flood the previous year. Miley is passionate about the recorder and hopes attending the camp will help convince others it’s a serious musical instrument. The other narrator, Juliet, lost her musician father to illness. She’s looking forward to auditioning for a flute solo for the end-of-camp concert and making new friends who don’t see her as the sad “dead-dad girl”.
As the camp progresses, the young musicians face a variety of challenges, from jealousy, friendship dramas and first crushes to, eventually, another flood and subsequent evacuation. The core characters are complex and well-developed, with two major supporting characters coded as neurodivergent and a minor character who is non-binary. The characters behave in believable tween-like ways, including mild rule-breaking, risk-taking and experiencing anxiety over climate change. Tangey is a founding member of Kid Lit for Climate Action, a passion that comes through in the narrative without being the central topic.
The premise of this book appealed to this musically inclined reviewer and former band kid from the start, but a particular highlight upon reading it was the accurate use of musical terminology. This is rarer than one might think! It’s wonderful to see an Australian middle grade offering that centres and celebrates instrumental music; Music Camp is a treat both for fellow “music nerds” and for fans of contemporary realistic fiction.
This would be a suitable Reader’s Cup title for Years 5/6.
This review was first shared on StoryLinks Australia.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 25, 2025
This is exactly the type of book I want my daughter to be reading as she gets older - teaching her the importance of always doing what she loves and shouting it from the rooftops, while also supporting and accepting others with differing passions, family lives and personalities.
Miley is a musician, playing the recorder and I just loved her love for her instrument, but unfortunately she is faced with bullying, which is bought on by both jealousy and for playing and instrument that’s “unpopular” - these parts in the story sure did hurt my heart.
Juliet plays clarinet and comes from music royalty, which includes a tragic past and all she wants to do is keep everything from those who don’t know her.
It is also a story of never giving up, the importance of practice and working hard, while also shedding light on climate change, that is sure to be a discussion starter.
We could also learn a thing or two from these 12 years olds and their communication skills, they sure communicated better than some adults I know.
It also had me googling melons and why they may make one’s ears itchy 😅
Thank-you @betterreadingau @uqpbooks and Penny for a free copy of this book - in exchange for an honest review. This will be staying on my bookshelf for when my daughter gets older ❤️
Miley is a musician, playing the recorder and I just loved her love for her instrument, but unfortunately she is faced with bullying, which is bought on by both jealousy and for playing and instrument that’s “unpopular” - these parts in the story sure did hurt my heart.
Juliet plays clarinet and comes from music royalty, which includes a tragic past and all she wants to do is keep everything from those who don’t know her.
It is also a story of never giving up, the importance of practice and working hard, while also shedding light on climate change, that is sure to be a discussion starter.
We could also learn a thing or two from these 12 years olds and their communication skills, they sure communicated better than some adults I know.
It also had me googling melons and why they may make one’s ears itchy 😅
Thank-you @betterreadingau @uqpbooks and Penny for a free copy of this book - in exchange for an honest review. This will be staying on my bookshelf for when my daughter gets older ❤️
June 1, 2025
Music Camp by Penny Tangey follows a group of Year Six students on the annual music camp. Typical behaviour of 11/12 year olds are observed as they strive for recognition in the music world. Although the outsiders at their school here they all fit in as music nerds attempting to outdo each other. Jealousy, teasing, bullying and acting out are rife. Each musician is competing to be the best and possibly chosen elite of the Summer Music Orchestra.
Scholarship participants are looked down on and there is snobbery around the instruments played. Miley is playing the lowly treble recorder and is a scholarship student. Juliet and Clara are the superior flautists.
Along with the music the students need to overcome the dangers of climate change when the camp is washed out by a flood. Their dreams shattered when camp is cancelled and they need to be evacuated. this is especially challenging for Miley and Evan.
This was an enjoyable read with both trauma and humour.
Scholarship participants are looked down on and there is snobbery around the instruments played. Miley is playing the lowly treble recorder and is a scholarship student. Juliet and Clara are the superior flautists.
Along with the music the students need to overcome the dangers of climate change when the camp is washed out by a flood. Their dreams shattered when camp is cancelled and they need to be evacuated. this is especially challenging for Miley and Evan.
This was an enjoyable read with both trauma and humour.
June 1, 2025
This book includes everything from their/them Sandy to rich girl, poor girl, girl with issues and boy who gets every girl. Trying a bit too hard to be inclusive. I do realise this is book is about camaraderie in the climate crisis but now wonder the next generation is paranoid when they constantly hear about islands sinking and bad companies that are responsible for climate change. It is still an interesting book that shows the strengths and weaknesses of people and how you can overcome problems
April 28, 2025
Full of naturally humorous preteen observations and interactions but sensitive and compassionate too.
This gorgeous novel recognises the different character’s individual ambitions, worries and circumstances and puts them in a wholly relatable situation.
Fantastic
This gorgeous novel recognises the different character’s individual ambitions, worries and circumstances and puts them in a wholly relatable situation.
Fantastic
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
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