2025 Chinese American Librarians Association Best BookHonorary Mention for Young Adult Fiction! A reserved Chinese American teen at aSouthern performing arts boarding school comes into her own under the tutelageof a glamorous new piano teacher. A moving coming-of-age-novel from a debutnovelist about first love, adolescent angst, and academic pressures.

A moving, highly virtuosic, and heart-rending portrait of an aspiring teenpianist trying to find her wayit made me feel seen. Patricia Park, authorofImposter Syndrome and Other Confession of Alejandra KimandWhatsEating Jackie Oh?

Claire Wu isnt sure that she has what it takes to become a successfulconcert pianist.

Its the fear of every student at Greenwood School for the Performing Arts:becoming a washed-out performer who couldnt make it big. And Claires no RockyWong,theace pianist at their boarding school.

Then Dr. Li shows up. Shes like no other teacher at Greenwood: mysterious,sophisticated, fascinating. Under Dr. Lis tutelage, Claire works harder anddreams bigger than ever. And her crush Rocky finally seems interested. Maybeshell even be Chinese enough to join the elusive Asian Student Society.

Everything is falling into place until eerily personal notes about Clairesbond with Dr. Li appear. Claire starts to feel the pressure. But she isnt theonly one. Everyone is feeling the strain. Especially Rocky, whose extremeperfectionism hides something more troubling.

As the Showcase tension crescendos, Claire must decide if shes ready to sinkor swim. Only then can she discover who shereallyis and learn ifshes ready to give her all for a shot at greatness.

The Notesis a powerful and poignant debut YA novel from award-winningwriterCatherine Con Morseabout dealing with academicpressures, falling in love for the first time, and finding yourself.