• Age: 9 to 12
• Grade: 4 to 7
• Reading age: 9 to 12

Bring the roof down. Rock the boat.

Webb believes that if you want to reach your dreams, you have to live life loud. Make sure that when you look back, you have no regrets. But when a shady music producer steals one of Webb’s songs, Webb finds out how hard it is for a kid on his own in Nashville to get justice. With the help of an unlikely ally, Webb discovers that he has what it takes to succeed: talent, determination and some good friends.

This short novel is a high-interest, low-reading level book for middle-grade readers who are building reading skills, want a quick read or say they don’t like to read!

With close to three million books in print, Sigmund Brouwer writes for both children and adults. In the last ten years, he has given writing workshops to students in schools from the Arctic Circle to inner city Los Angeles. One of his latest novels, The Last Disciple, earned Sigmund an appearance on ABC's Good Morning America. Sigmund and his family live half the year in Nashville, Tennessee, and half the year in Red Deer, Alberta.

The Talk:
Reach For Your Dreams
It doesn't matter where you come from, it's where you decide to go in life that is important. Sigmund Brouwer encourages students to reach for their dreams, giving them fun and practical advice for the reading and writing skills that are the foundation of future success.

The Presentation:
Sigmund's presentations are an hour of high-level energy. He especially reaches out to reluctant readers and gears the talk to engage their attention. Audience size varies; often his presentations take place in the gym for the entire school, including kindergarten. (After the first half hour, the K-2 grades are dismissed, and the remainder of the presentation is focused on the older students.) There are no restrictions on audience size except for the space limitations of the gym. Smaller schools are welcome to invite another school to share in the cost of the presentation.

Booking:
For presentations that involve travel, Sigmund appreciates it if two or three schools in the area make bookings on the same day. For more information on booking, fees and expenses, please email Sigmund: rockandrollliteracy@me.com

Sigmund Brouwer's profile page

"Webb is a likeable character and readers will be rooting for him to find justice. There is much to appeal to young singers and songwriters in this book, particularly those who play guitar. There is a web page about Jim Webb and his music, as well as a YouTube video of the title song. These features are solid tools for pulling in reluctant readers. Webb is also a character in two previous novels by Brouwer; many readers will like him enough to want to read more about his backstory."

School Library Connection

"A fast-moving, easy and enjoyable reading experience that will appeal to many readers. The vocabulary is at-level, but the quick pace and shorter chapters will appeal to reluctant readers who will have a sense of accomplishment when they finish this book...Readers will be cheering for Dean's demise, and they won't be left disappointed in the end."

CM: Canadian Review of Materials

"Brouwer keeps both chapters and book as short as possible; despite this, his characters shine as individuals, and clearly he has done his research on the dangers the music world poses for new talent...A quick read for music lovers."

Kirkus Reviews

"A quick, easy and compelling narrative appealing to both genders. Although it is aimed at eleven to fourteen-year-olds, the simple vocabulary, short sentences and brief chapters make it accessible to much younger readers."

Resource Links

"Will hook readers from the first chapter...True to life and easy to grasp...A suspenseful plot, fascinating details, and a likable protagonist make this title a wonderful addition to hi-lo collections."

School Library Journal (SLJ)