Skeleanor the decomposer

Gr 2 Up--Skeleanor is a living skeleton who loves music more than anything. She's inspired to play her own music when she hears the town band rehearsing for the Little Casketon Summershine Festival, and she discovers that they are missing a member. Maybe she can join them? Unfortunately, no matter which instrument she tries to play, her music scares the people of Little Casketon so much that they all run away from her. With the help of her friend, a bat named Batima, Skeleanor makes a few adjustments, like not playing music in the middle of the night when people are sleeping, and not playing an instrument that sounds a lot like bones. But it isn't until she actually stops and listens to the music teacher that she learns how she can join the band, after all. This is a heartfelt, sweet, and uplifting story, with a positive message about creativity and compromise. Readers will love how Skeleanor finds acceptance in creating music that people will enjoy, and they'll love how she realizes her dreams. This book is illustrated in colorful painterly earth tones, with bright and funny pictures that will make readers smile. VERDICT For young readers who enjoy gently spooky stories, and for kids who love music as much as Skeleanor does.--Andrea Lipinski

A music-loving skeleton desperately wants to join the town band. Skeleanor thinks music teacher Ms. Ratsimiziva--a brown-skinned, older human--is "basically the coolest person alive!" because she is part of the band that performs at the Summershine Festival in their town of Little Casketon. Typically, Skeleanor sleeps during the day in the graveyard on the outskirts of town and spends her evenings hanging out with her friend Batima, a bat, but one day she overhears the band talking about holding auditions for a new member. Trying instrument after instrument, from an organ to a xylobone, Skeleanor attempts to win over the racially diverse townspeople, but they just slam their windows or run away in terror. It's not until she actually meets Ms. Ratsimiziva that Skeleanor gets her chance and finds her confidence. Divided into short chapters, this boldly colored comic is lighthearted and silly. Skeleanor and Batima are adorable, lovable, and not at all spooky. Their interactions are charming, and they are illustrated in a cutesy way. All of the characters have exaggerated facial expressions, which add drama and humor to this low-stakes, simple story. Puns and fun wordplay add to the appeal, while Skeleanor's passion and determination will encourage readers to pursue their own dreams and embrace their uniqueness. A gentle, winning tale featuring the sweetest skeleton. (instrument glossary) (Graphic fantasy. 6-10) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.