Chin Music

Chin Music introduces readers to Brook 'Gunner' Gunderson, a skilled pitcher on his high-school baseball team in Lethbridge, Alberta. Brook's summer is a mix of athletic ambition, team bonding, and elaborate practical jokes with his friends. However, at home, things are tense as his older brother, Frasier, returns after dropping out of college, and their busy parents struggle to help him. Brook seeks refuge with his friends, but a 'crazy stunt' with them jeopardizes his baseball career and forces him to confront the consequences of his choices. This chapter book explores themes of identity, family dynamics, friendship, and responsibility, making it suitable for children aged 9-12.

"I guess I can blame my name on the 70s, the decade my parents went to college. I think the decade instilled in many people a burning desire to give their children atypical names. Apparently, during college, Dad wanted to name his sons "Led"and "Zepp."That was in the era when my mum chose to grow hairy armpits, and Dad had long greasy hair held down by a red headband and huge earphones. My mother told me about the Zeppelin when I was lamenting the fact that my dad was such a nerd that he couldn't understand why I wouldn't wear his piano-key necktie to a formal restaurant. " --excerpt from "Chin Music" Brook Gunderson may have a girl's name and a girl's skinny body, but no one can say he throws like a girl. As the star pitcher on his high-school baseball team in Lethbridge, Alberta, Brook (or "Gunner"to his teammates) lives for the provincial tournament and the occasional, highly elaborate practical joke. As baseball season moves on and the team starts to pull together, it seems like this might be the best summer of Brook's life. But at home, things aren't going so smoothly. Brook's older brother, Frasier, is back after dropping out of college, and his busy parents don't seem able to help keep him on the right track. Brook escapes by spending more and more time with his friends until one last crazy stunt threatens to ruin his sporting ambitions--permanently.