20 Great Books About Music for Young Readers

When 10-year-old Max Chu decides his music instructor is evil, he wishes for a way out of performing in his big concert. Unfortunately, Mylo Zapp is the creature who hears Max’s wish. Mylo is an aspiring entrepreneur who isn’t supposed to grant wishes or even leave his home planet, but he convinces Max that he can help with the evil music teacher. Soon, magical twists are ruining everything and reality is spiraling out of control. Max will have to overcome his fears and face the big stage if he wants to save the world.

This old favorite follows Chester Cricket, Tucker Mouse, and Harry Cat on their adventures in New York City. Chester is from Connecticut and is new to town. Lost and wanting to explore, he meets the others in Times Square and they become friends. Soon, they discover that even though Chester is a country cricket, he has a hidden talent that could teach New Yorkers a thing or two.

This is one of the great children’s books about music that has been around for a long time. The 50-year-old tale introduces us to a family of trumpeter swans. Sadly, Louis is unable to trumpet like the rest of his family. Fortunately, Louis’s father finds him a real brass trumpet. Now Louis has a chance to express himself and maybe even find love.

As one of the bestselling chapter books series of all time, the Magic Tree House books are familiar to many readers. The series follows Jack and Annie as they travel through time having amazing adventures. This book sends our protagonists to 18th century Austria, where they try to find and help a musician named Mozart. Unfortunately, the hunt isn’t easy, especially since a naughty little boy keeps getting in their way. Jack and Annie have to use all of their magic to get out of this mess!

This great children’s book about music centers on 12-year-old Apple Yengko. A prevalent theme of this story is cultural identity. Filipino American Apple is too American by her mother’s standards, but not American enough in the eyes of others. When Apple’s friends abandon her and she feels completely alone, she turns to her guitar. As she learns to play, Apple discovers new friends and new revelations about who she really is.

This is another title that showcases the beauty of #OwnVoices literature. Amina grapples with the challenges of fitting in and making/losing friends in middle school. As a Pakistani American, Amina wonders if she needs to change in order to be accepted. The question takes on greater weight when someone vandalizes her local mosque. Instead of changing, Amina decides to use her beautiful voice to help unite her diverse community. Amina’s story continues in Amina’s Song.

This heart-wrenching story follows 13-year-old Genesis, a girl who is used to starting over. Her family is regularly evicted because of her father’s habit of gambling away the rent money. What’s worse, her father and others in her family criticize Genesis for her dark skin. Their taunts contribute to Genesis’s ever growing list of things she hates about herself. However, when Genesis starts a new school, she finds people that like her — including a choir teacher who sees her talent.

This book is an absolute laugh riot from actor and comedian Craig Robinson and screenwriter Adam Mansbach. Jake, our protagonist, fakes his way into the Music and Art Academy by playing the only song he knows on the piano. It’ll take all his wit to keep people from finding out that he has no idea what he’s doing. The fast-paced and funny story is complemented by Keith Knight’s hilarious illustrations.

In this list of great children’s books about music, this is one of the sweetest. Ten-year-old Cadence is dealing with the aftermath of her mother’s desertion. Though Cadence’s mother has left to pursue her dreams of being a singing star, Cadence can’t deny that she inherited her mother’s musical prowess. Unlike her mother, Cadence is shy and reluctant to share her gift — until someone leaks a recording of her singing and her entire church hears it.

In a story ripped right from 2019’s headlines, 17-year-old aspiring singer Enchanted thinks she’s found her golden opportunity. Suddenly, superstar Korey Fields is not only managing Enchanted, but the two are “dating.” The nearly 30-year-old singer quickly takes advantage of Enchanted’s trust. What follows is a disturbing tale of manipulation, abuse, and a searing critique of rape culture. Like many of Jackson’s books, this one isn’t for the faint of heart.

Blade Morrison is nothing like his rock star father. Rutherford is a has-been with a serious drug problem. Conversely, his son wants nothing but a simple life with his girlfriend, Chapel. Unfortunately, fearing Blade’s musical talent and his father’s reputation, Chapel’s parents forbid the relationship. When Blade uncovers a devastating family secret, he is left with questions, a mysterious letter, and a ticket to Ghana.

In this forthcoming queer YA romance, famous boy-band Saturday delight their fans as only teen heartthrobs can. However, 18-year-old Zach feels trapped by management’s demands that he keep his sexuality a secret. Moreover, he and his fellow band member (and best friend) Ruben soon develop feelings for each other. Consequently, they have to face the consequences of being out in the public eye. Preorder this December release now!

Observer.com called this hilarious story “Misery for the Belieber generation.” It has even garnered comparisons to the cult classic movie Heathers. So, what happens when a group of best friends and superfans accidentally kidnap a member of their favorite boy band? This darkly humorous tale is full of pop culture references and laugh-out-loud moments.

The incomparable Angie Thomas introduces us to another strong, Black girl protagonist in this follow-up to the bestseller The Hate U Give. Bri just wants to be a great rapper. Unfortunately, she has a lot of challenges standing in the way of her dreams. She lives in the shadow of her underground hip-hop legend father, who was murdered right before making it big. Moreover, her mother, who struggles to make ends meet, wants Bri to focus on her education and a more viable career. How will Bri ever find her voice amid all the others trying to tell her who she should be?