Mudpedal clark didn't mean to become a rock star. all he wanted was a guitar for his birthday. he's ten years old. he likes skateboarding, comic books, and putting off his math homework. but everything changes the day he walks into a music store and walks out with a black ibanez guitar, a tiny practice amp, and a head full of dreams. at first, it's just about learning to play. barre chords. buzzing frets. a few sore fingers. but the more he practices, the more he falls in love with it. his fingers toughen. his strumming gets stronger. before long, he's jamming with his cousin corky - a 14-year-old drummer who wears a bandana even when he's not sweating - and his dad, who decides to take up bass just to hang out with his kid. together, they form a ragtag band that somehow ends up on tv, playing shows at roadhouses, and opening for an actual blues legend on tour. but while the world sees a rising star, mudpedal isn't so sure. fame is louder than he expected. touring is exhausting. fans are weird. and being recognized in every town they stop in? that's not always as fun as it sounds. what happens when you're living your dream - and it starts to feel like someone else's? told with humor, heart, and a pitch-perfect ear for how kids think and feel, mudpedal clark is a coming-of-age story set to a rock-and-roll soundtrack. it's about music and family, but also about growing up, finding your rhythm, and learning when to turn up the volume - and when to unplug. full of jam sessions, road trip snacks, awkward interviews, sweaty dressing rooms, and a big finale on the last night of the tour, this book is perfect for readers ages 8-12 who love: stories about music and creativity funny and relatable characters starting bands with your friends (or your dad) and a good ol' road trip with pit stops, personality clashes, and lots of snacks