James Finds the Beat

Gr 2-4–James, a shy and anxious boy, discovers his voice with the help of his classmate Aria. James feels as if bumblebees will burst in his chest in class when he knows the answer, but he does not want to raise his hand because he is so nervous and scared. It’s lunch time and he does not know with whom or where to sit because he is scared to talk to his classmates and other children. Many times when he feels this way, he falls back on his favorite pastime, which is singing and rapping music that soothes and calms him down. Unfortunately, when he does that in class his teacher lets him know the beat bopping on his desk is a distraction. Overwhelmed by social situations, James finds solace in music but struggles to express himself until Aria encourages him to rap during recess. This transformative moment boosts James’s confidence, leading him to speak up in class and make new friends. The book is a heartwarming tale about overcoming anxiety, with a meaningful epilogue where the author shares his personal experience with shyness.