Picked by Barb - September 6th Meeting
Growing up Black in rural North Carolina, Ray McMillian’s life is
already mapped out. But Ray has a gift and a dream—he’s determined to
become a world-class professional violinist, and nothing will stand in
his way. Not his mother, who wants him to stop making such a racket; not
the fact that he can’t afford a violin suitable to his talents; not
even the racism inherent in the world of classical music.
When
he discovers that his beat-up, family fiddle is actually a priceless
Stradivarius, all his dreams suddenly seem within reach, and together,
Ray and his violin take the world by storm. But on the eve of the
renowned and cutthroat Tchaikovsky Competition—the Olympics of classical
music—the violin is stolen, a ransom note for five million dollars left
in its place. Without it, Ray feels like he's lost a piece of
himself. As the competition approaches, Ray must not only reclaim his
precious violin, but prove to himself—and the world—that no matter the
outcome, there has always been a truly great musician within him.
