The Violin Conspiracy

Ray McMillian was born poor and black and according to his mother; the only thing Ray might be good at is working in the hospital cafeteria or stocking shelves in the local grocery. She is constantly picking on Ray and when he does something he loves, playing his school violin, she yells about the noise he makes and to quit wasting his time.  Ray has one ally in the family, his grandmother.  She loves him deeply and recognizes his talent. She knows there is a violin in her attic and asks Ray to go up there to retrieve it. She gives it to him and asks him to play it and go after his dream.  Ray, elated to return his rented school violin and finally have one of his own, begins to practice and practice until he is so good, he is earning money and participating in judged performances.  

I will stop there; I don’t want to give too much away.  This is a must read and one your book club will love!

Here is a wonderful video with the author, Brendan Slocumb.