Abstract

Ichito, a sixth-grader, has secretly dreamed of forming his own band and performing live, inspired by his favorite bands since childhood. However, no matter how many times he tries, he can't play the guitar well, and he's starting to give up, thinking he has no talent for musical instruments. Then one day, he meets a boy named Gaku playing the drums in the park, and by chance, Gaku starts teaching him how to play the bass. Thanks to Gaku's enthusiastic instruction, Ichito improves day by day. However, Gaku actually has a secret plan that he's keeping from Ichito... This is a refreshing coming-of-age band novel that will warm your heart with the straightforward feelings of boys towards music and the kindness of the adults around them who support them. ■Target audience: Upper elementary school students and up ■From the blurb: What a fresh and vibrant story! (Toshihiko Takamizawa, THE ALFEE) Dreams are always the strongest tailwind that pushes you forward in life. (GOOD BYE APRIL)

Author’s Information

Takashi Tsuji, born in 1977, grew up in Kyoto Prefecture and currently resides in Kanagawa Prefecture. He graduated from Kanagawa University and completed the creative writing workshop at the Japan Children's Literature School. He is a director of the Japan Children's Literature Association and a member of the children's literature group "Lamp." In 2016, he won the Masami Fukushima Memorial SF Children's Literature Award for "Transparent Dog Mei" (later published by Iwasaki Shoten). Other works include the "Tsukuru and the Secret Modified Bot" series, "Britney in the Toilet," "Let's Stay Up Late" (all published by Iwasaki Shoten), and the co-authored "Secret Elementary School Detective" series (Gakken). / Mizusu is a freelance illustrator from and residing in Wakayama Prefecture. She works extensively on book covers, textbooks, advertisements, music artwork, and more. Her works include the cover illustration for the 2024 edition of the elementary school moral education textbook "Let's Soar Towards Tomorrow" (Kyoiku Shuppan), the official T-shirt illustration for ROCK IN JAPAN FESTIVAL 2024 (Rocking On), and the CD jacket illustration for Humbreaders' "Pure Heterosexual Relations" (Sony Music Entertainment). She has also illustrated books such as "Sasamori-kun's Skirt" (Kodansha) and "The Giant Panda Bakery: The Stolen Secret Recipe" (Shogakukan).