Private Lessons

Starred review from March 1, 2020

Gr 9 Up-The only time 17-year-old Claire Alalay truly feels like herself is when she is playing piano. The rest of the time seems divided between awkward social interactions; scrutiny from her traditional Filipino mother and an army of aunts; as well as the desperate need for approval, acceptance, and love. Hoping that success in competition will increase her scholarship chances and get her into a better school, she auditions for Paul Avon, a revered but notoriously difficult piano teacher. When Paul agrees to teach Claire, her world opens wide and comes into clear focus. Practicing constantly, she becomes obsessed with the music, and with Paul, seeking his seemingly impossible approval and affection. At its heart, this is a coming-of-age novel and in that regard it succeeds quite nicely, but it also delves into other, more significant areas as well. It is a novel of acceptance as Claire tries to navigate a different sort of social circle at the expense of past relationships and expectations, and the consequences when desire for validation becomes obsession. It is also a novel of sexual awakening. In her debut novel, Salaysay does an excellent job of exploring all these facets and handles them with a sense of honesty and realism that allows Claire to shine as a fully-realized, completely believable character who will resonate with older teens. Be aware there are some fairly strong sexual situations if that is a consideration for purchase. VERDICT An excellent coming-of-age story with strong, believable characters and situations.-Erik Knapp, Davis Library, Plano, TX

Copyright 2020 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

April 15, 2020
A high school student pursues musical excellence and experiences the high cost of gaining her piano teacher's favor. Seventeen-year-old Claire Alalay dreams of attending a college where her love of classical music will not distance her from her peers. She knows that tuition at her top choices is too high for her and her widowed mother to afford. After her guidance counselor suggests that she participate in music competitions, which would enhance her college applications and potentially lead to scholarships, Claire seeks instruction from Paul Avon, one of the best piano teachers in the Bay Area. Paul maintains high standards for his students; though Claire strives to satisfy Paul's expectations, her best efforts are not always enough, and she becomes increasingly sensitive to his critiques. Salaysay captures the mindset of a girl steeped in self-consciousness, craving praise while expecting criticism, torn between fitting in and just being herself. The leisurely paced plot allows tension to build slowly, almost imperceptibly, until things take a troubling turn in the second half of the book and Claire becomes a victim of sexual assault. The writing is poetic in the moments when Claire reflects on the music she hears and plays. Her vivid descriptions convey a deep appreciation for the genre that will resonate with readers. Claire is Filipina; Paul is white. A cautionary tale that pays tribute to the allure of classical music. (Fiction. 16-18)

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Starred review from April 1, 2020
Grades 8-12 *Starred Review* Salaysay's debut novel beautifully explores topics not often addressed in YA fiction: the insular, often rewarding pressure-cooker world of young classical musicians, and the all-important, sometimes fraught dynamic of the student-teacher relationship. Even more extraordinary, she sensitively portrays the power dynamics of race, class, and sex within that relationship. Seventeen-year-old Claire Alalay is the reserved only child of Filipino immigrants. Her father's death five years earlier has left her mother in a dizzying depression, clinging desperately to the comfort of church groups. Claire spends most of her time at the piano, trying to fulfill her father's dream that she become a concert pianist. Claire is accepted as a student of San Francisco pianist Paul Avon, whose methods bring her tremendous musical growth, and she transfers her affection to the handsome musician. When Avon takes advantage of Claire sexually, she realizes she has to break off her involvement?but will that mean sabotaging a promising career? Salaysay gets so much right, including the difference between public school in middle-class, heavily Asian Fremont and the rarefied, primarily white private-school world of San Francisco. Claire's need for affection and acceptance leads her into entirely believable and utterly sad encounters, while the strength she musters carries her through to an uplifting conclusion.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2020, American Library Association.)

July 1, 2020
Claire Alalay, a seventeen-year-old aspiring concert pianist, convinces her mother to hire respected music teacher Paul Avon. Claire throws herself into practicing and is captivated by her handsome mentor, craving his approval and beginning to excel under his demanding tutelage. But the older man also takes advantage of her innocence and need for acceptance, and after he sexually assaults Claire, her eyes are opened to their unhealthy dynamic. Salaysay's debut is an exploration of power -- and how it manifests between a student and teacher across class, gender, and culture (Paul is white; Claire is Filipina). The unfolding of the plot, if languid, builds tension and allows for deep character development; and Salaysay's writing is fluid and evocative. Teens will recognize Claire's desire for acceptance, profound grief, and drive to succeed at something she loves. The book's ultimately heartening ending will empower young people and give them hope that gradual recovery from trauma is possible.

(Copyright 2020 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

September 1, 2020
Claire Alalay, a seventeen-year-old aspiring concert pianist, convinces her mother to hire respected music teacher Paul Avon. Claire throws herself into practicing and is captivated by her handsome mentor, craving his approval and beginning to excel under his demanding tutelage. But the older man also takes advantage of her innocence and need for acceptance, and after he sexually assaults Claire, her eyes are opened to their unhealthy dynamic. Salaysay's debut is an exploration of power -- and how it manifests between a student and teacher across class, gender, and culture (Paul is white; Claire is Filipina). The unfolding of the plot, if languid, builds tension and allows for deep character development; and Salaysay's writing is fluid and evocative. Teens will recognize Claire's desire for acceptance, profound grief, and drive to succeed at something she loves. The book's ultimately heartening ending will empower young people and give them hope that gradual recovery from trauma is possible. Shelley M. Diaz

(Copyright 2020 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)