Has anyone got any ideas for a book which is to be given as a prize for the most promising pianist in school? The recipient will be a boy (we have no girls) aged 12 to 13. I suppose it needs to be a book with a musical slant but this was not specified. It does not have to be about the piano! It can cost up to £30
Thanks in advance.

"Piano Notes" by Charles Rosen

I read a book called "Starseeker" by Tim Bowler. It was a fictional book, but I think a little too old for a 12 to 13 year old though. It's about a boy who's the son of a concert pianist who dies when the boy is 15. He's angry and falls in with a bad crowd, stuff happens etc etc.... but there is music intertwined the whole way through, like a recurring theme almost. I enjoyed reading it not only because it's a good story but because it mentions titles of music that exists it made me think of the music to go with the book, if that makes sense.
Sorry if I wasn't entirely helpful, but I just wanted to get a mention in for a book I can thoroughly recommend to anyone who likes reading and music!

There is a perfect book called " Spider" by William Taylor that explores the dilemas faced by a teenage piano player in a school and sports orientated world

Spider takes a bold look at teenage identity and the nature of ambition and the disciplined routine of doing the miles It is unafraid to deal with difficult topics and reverses the usual stories told about mothers and sons.

Publisher Longacre Press
ISBN 1 877135 60 7

I recommended a book recently on the piano forum for somebody who wanted a coffee table book about the piano. Here are the details again: The Book of the Piano edited by Domenic Gill. Phaidon Press, Oxford. ISBN 0-7148-2036-9. I have let many piano pupils of all ages borrow it over the years and it is always well liked.