The Music Box

An exploration of childhood grief, and magical realism. Claire Annette and Hannah are equally powerful singers in their choir class. While Claire is well-liked, Hannah is less so and is envious of her. The teacher announces that the annual school singing contest is around the corner and whoever wins will get to represent the school at the Nationals. Hannah is determined to win, but Claire remains polite in the face of her competitive nature. Suddenly, Claire's mother passes away. Closer to the school contest Claire returns to school, still reeling from the loss of her mother. Her grief over this loss impedes her ability to sing and she feels discouraged, refusing to enter the contest. Her father, Nick, gives Claire a small music box that once belonged to her mother and tells her its magical properties will help her sing. Though she is skeptical at first Claire brings it with her to school the next day and finds that her singing is back to how flawless it was before her mother passed away. Now a believer of its magical properties, Claire mentions it while giving herself a pep talk in the bathroom, where she thinks she is alone. However, Hannah is in the bathroom stall listening to her the entire time and hears her mention the music box. She notices Claire guarding it every time she rehearses. On the day of the contest after Hannah performs, she knocks the music box out of Claire's hand just as Claire is about to perform. Worried she won't be able to sing well now that the box is broken Claire hesitates on stage as the audience awaits her performance. Her father, who sees all of this happen, encourages her from the audience and Claire realizes that the magic was in her the whole time, not in the box. She sings better than she ever has before. Her confidence in herself is restored. Hannah apologizes for her behavior and Claire forgives her. Based on my book “Claire Annette and the Magic Music Box.”