Music Boxes is a well-written YA novel with a wonderful twelve-year-old protagonist. The book deals with the relationship between two sisters. Lindsey, the twelve-year-old, has every reason to be jealous of her eight-year-old sister, Bridget. Lindsey loves to dance and is quite good at it, but Bridget is a prodigy on the violin. Their family has moved from Nebraska to New York City to allow Bridget to attend the elementary school associated with Julliard. Meanwhile Lindsey is left to attend dance lessons at a local community center. Here is what she thinks of that option:

Classes at the Community Center didn't count as real ballet no matter how well-known the teacher had been. Community Center meant trash.

Music Boxes is a horror story with a witch whose evil magic revolves around dance and music boxes, two subjects that should interest many readers, especially young ones. Every good horror story has a strong villain and this one has a great one. The tension keeps increasing as the pages keep turning.

However, what I like the most about this novel is how it covers many important topics in a subtle fashion while never straying from a plot that holds a reader's attention. The topics include jealousy between siblings, honesty, trust in one's family, drug use, prejudging people, and the power of love. Yet Music Boxes never feels preachy.

I recommend this novel to readers of all ages who enjoy horror stories featuring young people. ( )

Tonja Drecker has spun an ingenious, spine-chilling tale for younger readers in Music Boxes. The story begins innocuously enough when the McKay family move to New York, all for the sake of encouraging the musical talent of their eight-year-old daughter, Bridget. It is Bridget's older sister, Lindsey, whose actions drives the story. Fearful that her sister's good fortune will derail her own dreams of becoming a ballet star, Lindsey starts secretly attending a ballet school a block away from their new apartment. However, there is something not quite right about the new ballet teacher, which lends a Coraline-like creepiness to the story. The treatment of the music boxes, for which the novel is titled, oozes with creativity. Prepare to be spooked! ( )

Lindsay McKay and her family moved to Manhattan from a very small town in Nebraska. She dreams of being a prima ballerina, while her younger sister, Bridget, has been accepted into Juilliard, at the age of eight, to play the violin. Lindsay is happy for her sister, but not thrilled about living in a new place. Luckily, she brought her prized possession, a special music box given to her by her grandmother. At least it givers her some comfort. Lindsay’s first ballet lesson at the local community center does not go well, and she can’t hide her disappointment that no one in the class takes dance seriously. When she stumbles into Madame Destinee’s Dance Studio, it’s like a dream come true. The dancers are amazing! Madame offers for her to dance with the others and Lindsay feels herself move like never before. All she has to do to pay for her lessons is show up at a nightly performance. This sounds like a dream! She knows that here she can be a star and dance like she’s never danced before. But when Lindsay starts to notice that things aren’t quite as they seem and that Madame Destinee may be doing something to enchant the dancers, she becomes nervous about what will happen to her and her family. Is it possible to break the enchantment? Are the music boxes in Madame Destinee’s office important in some way and why do they match the one she brought from Nebraska? Can she help the other dancers? Read this enchanting story to find out.

Music Boxes by Tonja Drecker is a read that grabbed me from the start and pulled me in. It’s a story for people who like a good spooky mystery! I could easily relate to the main character, Lindsay. She is passionate about ballet and wants to be the best. I admire that type of dedication. When she noticed what Madame Destinee was doing to the dancers I felt both nervous and excited. The music boxes had quite a story behind them—I was definitely spooked, but in a good way. There's suspense and interesting relationships that keep the reader guessing. I think this book would be great for anybody in fourth grade and up who likes a story that gives them the chills. ( )

Music boxes are lovely. One can picture a ballerina twirling and spinning on her toes to a beautiful tune. It’s enchanting. Many girls aspire to being ballerinas, even though it’s a lot of work and no guarantee they’ll succeed. In Author Tonja Drecker’s new novel MUSIC BOXES, Lindsey McKay’s dream is to be a star like the ballerina in her music box. Things look promising for a while. Lindsey and her family move from Nebraska to Manhattan to give her the opportunity. Madame Destinee says she is talented and will be a star. But weird things start happening, and her dreams are threatened.
Tonja Drecker has woven a fascinating tale of mystery and suspense. I cheered throughout the story for Lindsey to succeed in her quest to be the best. She’s a likeable character, willing to work to reach her goal. Then, when things start falling apart, she learns what the important things in her life are.
This is a story that will touch the hearts of young and old. Young readers who are striving to reach their own dreams. Older readers who remember their dreams. MUSIC BOXES would make a great addition to school libraries and public libraries, as well as your own library. Recommended. ( )