Saved by the Music

by Selene Castrovilla

The last place fifteen-year-old Willow wants to spend her summer is on a run-down former coffee barge in a boatyard in Rockaway, New York. But thats where her aunt is converting the broken down hulk... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1934813141
• ISBN13: 9781934813140
• Release Date: October 2009
• Publisher: West Side Books
• Length: 280 Pages
• Weight: 0.50 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 5.8" x 8.6"
• Age Range: 14 to 17 years
• Grade Range: Grades 9 to 12

Customer Reviews

a powerful story

originally posted at: [...]. Saved by the Music is a powerful story about two lost souls who find strength, power, and comfort in the presence of one another. Although the title might lead you to believe that it's music that saves them, it is in fact the close connection they share that provides an unforgettable journey readers are sure to enjoy. Dark, gritty, and brutally honest at times, you'll get a whole lot more than you bargained for as you delve into the pages, which is always exciting in cutting edge YA fiction. The story is told through the voice of fifteen year old Willow; a girl who views herself as ugly on the outside as she perceives herself to be on the inside. She can never be beautiful enough, thin enough, smart enough, or interesting enough. A summer spent on her aunt's barge is intended to help but, thus far, it only fuels her resentment of her emotionally unstable mother and unhappy home life. It's not until she meets Axel, an eighteen year old with issues of his own, that she emerges from her shell and begins to view the world through less jaded eyes. He's beautiful, mysterious, and so sad she can't help but question why. As a near tragedy disrupts their lives, the truth is slowly revealed, and it will take understanding, foresight, and love to circumvent fate and create a path to a brighter, happier future. The material presented in Saved by the Music is dark, but I didn't find it extreme or overwhelming. While rape is a very upsetting and difficult topic to broach, Ms. Castrovilla does a wonderful job of ensuring you get the ugliness of the act without alienating the reader. There are other subplots that are equally serious, including suicide and depression, but they are handled with tact and grace, so that the act isn't glorified but treated as it should be, with total seriousness and respect. This is definitely a book for the 14+ age range. The subject matter is something that anyone younger could possibly have an issue understanding or relating to. With that said, Saved by the Music is cthat I very much enjoyed. Willow is a fantastic heroine, while Axel is perfect as the young man who isn't entirely as he seems. As the mystery unfolded, I became captivated, and couldn't stop reading until I finished. I can't wait to read more from the library of Ms. Castrovilla and am eagerly looking forward to her future works.

Flamingnet.com Top Choice Book-makes you laugh and cry out loud

Saved by the music was about a fifteen year old girl named Willow. Her mom kicks her out of the house for the summer, so she has to go live with her aunt. Her aunt is making an ugly coffee boat into a chamber music concert hall. And so it begins. Willows struggle to lose weight, to find friends, to live. She thinks it's impossible. The only good thing about this place is Axel, the tall, sad Shakespeare loving (and dare I say very very handsome) boy who lives in a boat near Willow's. She tries to flirt with him in her straight forward way on the first day she meets him. When it doesn't work out with him, however, she turns to Craig, the leery, stupid, piggy construction worker whom her aunt hired to help her on the boat. As her and Axel's relationship grows, so does her need for a friend. When something awful happens to Willow, will Axel stand by her? Find this out and more in Saved By The Music. I loved this book. It was the kind of read that makes you laugh and cry out loud. I felt as though I was part of the story as I read this 280 page book in one sitting. Towards the end of the book, Axel does something really stupid and I sobbed my heart out. When Willow finally becomes happy I felt touched in the soul. This book made all the emotions of the characters flow to you, and I guarantee you won't be able to put it down. Note to parents:Sexual Content, including rape, and Crude Language are present in this book. Reviewed by a young adult student reviewer Flamingnet Book Reviews Teen books reviewed by teen reviewers

Realistically Touching

Saved by the Music was instantly intriguing, fast paced, emotional and true to life. I read the book in three days and was sad to say goodbye to the characters when it was over.

tissues at the ready!

The lovable main character, 15 year old Willow, has been sent to work on her aunt's barge for the summer, a renovation project that she's not too thrilled about. Little does she know this is a summer that will change her life. Willow has some deep seated self-esteem problems and once she meets the handsome 18 year old Axel, she soon comes to the realization that money does not erase personal problems, in fact, it often makes them worse. Despite their different backgrounds Willow and Axel have much in common, have similar values and experiences, and develop a true, deep friendship. SAVED BY THE MUSIC is a great read for the 13+ audience. This is a story of love and learning, pain and confusion. A book that will make you chuckle and shed a tear, with characters so real they feel like family. A fabulous plot for a movie.

Music lovers, unplug your Ipod and pick up this book!

I was completely hooked and blown away! Was there any emotion missing? My heart pounded (not in good way) when Craig was around and ached for Willow & Axel. Getting to the first kiss betw W & A was absolute torture!!!! And well worth the wait. I laughed and cried. Agatha was amazing, too. Bravo!