THE NOTES

A 16-year-old classical pianist receives mysterious notes warning her not to idolize her school’s new music teacher.

Inspired by the author’s experiences at the South Carolina Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities, this coming-of-age story is set at a prestigious boarding school full of talented musicians, dancers, artists, and actors. In the fall of her junior year, Chinese American Claire Wu is immediately awed when glamorous and accomplished Taiwanese pianist Dr. Tina Li joins the faculty. Claire has never had an Asian teacher before, and she’s determined to impress the demanding, Juilliard-trained Dr. Li, who believes piano should be the students’ sole focus. Soon, Claire begins to receive handwritten notes encouraging her not to fall under Li’s spell, a sentiment with which her best friend, Jenny Stone, and crush, Rocky Wong, both fellow pianists, agree. The notes, while nonthreatening, are invasive and borderline stalkerish. When she’s not consumed with the mystery of the unwanted notes, Claire dedicates herself to perfecting her piano repertoire and falling for the brilliant and rebellious Rocky, a senior and a member of the exclusive Asian Student Society, which she hopes to join. Debut author Con Morse sensitively captures the emotional, physical, and mental health challenges of elite young artists, particularly classical musicians, as well as the complexities of being among the few Asians in a predominantly white space. (This review was updated for factual accuracy.)

A compelling exploration of art, identity, and falling in love.