Sing Like Nobody's Listening (mix)
mix Series
on Goodreads (31)
What’s inside...
In the tradition of Pitch Perfect, two best friends, Wylie Tennyson and Jada Emmett, find themselves at odds when Jada decides to audition for a lead role in their middle school's spring musical, leaving Wylie to start the school's first a cappella group. As Jada seeks the spotlight, Wylie aims to show the value of teamwork, but struggles to recruit members. The situation escalates when Jada forms her own group, putting their lifelong friendship at risk of being destroyed by their battle for vocal supremacy.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
9-13
Length
257 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think Nola learned about the importance of friendship and teamwork from her experience in the school musical?
How did Nola handle challenges she faced and what would you do in a similar situation?
Why is it important for Nola to express herself through singing and how do you like to express yourself?
What did Nola discover about the value of practice and dedication, and how can you apply this to your own hobbies or interests?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to relate to the protagonist, Nola, by sharing personal experiences of facing and overcoming their own challenges.
Discuss the importance of self-expression and identify various ways your child enjoys expressing themselves, emphasizing that everyone has unique talents.
Highlight the value of persistence and hard work by drawing parallels between Nola's dedication to singing and challenges your child faces in their activities.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Perseverance in pursuing passions
Explanation: The main character, Nettie, faces multiple challenges in her quest to participate in a prestigious summer music program. Despite setbacks, she remains determined and proactive.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of persistence and hard work in achieving goals, encouraging them to not give up on their dreams despite difficulties.
Example Lesson: Importance of friendship and support
Explanation: Throughout the story, Nettie's friends play a crucial role in helping her cope with her challenges and encourage her to keep pursuing her passion for singing.
Real-World Application: This reinforces the value of friendship and supporting one another, teaching children to be there for their friends and value the support they receive.
Example Lesson: Dealing with rejection constructively
Explanation: Nettie faces rejection and learns to deal with her emotions and use the experience to grow rather than giving up.
Real-World Application: This lesson helps children understand that rejection and failure are part of life and can be learning experiences that contribute to personal growth.
Example Lesson: Self-expression through creativity
Explanation: The book highlights Nettie’s journey of expressing herself and her emotions through singing and songwriting.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to explore and express their feelings through creative outlets like music, art, or writing, enhancing their emotional intelligence.
Example Lesson: Adaptability and flexibility
Explanation: Nettie learns to adapt her plans and explore different avenues to pursue music when her original plans don’t work out.
Real-World Application: Teaches children the importance of being flexible and adaptable in the face of unanticipated situations, helping them to navigate life’s unpredictability with ease.