Mateo Makes Music: Not your average 5th grader

By Kelly Dean

Some kids raise their hands. Mateo Rios writes songs he is too afraid to sing.

Mateo feels everything a little louder-sounds, lights, crowded hallways, and even emotions. When his feelings become too big to explain, they turn into melodies only he can hear.

At school, Mateo's humming makes him "weird." At home, it makes him Abuela's boy. Inside his black notebook, however, it makes him a songwriter with a dream.

Mateo has rules for his notebook: nobody reads it, nobody touches it, and he never leaves it behind. But when a brave new friend, a busted guitar string, and an unexpected open-mic opportunity push him beyond the safety of the page, Mateo must decide whether he is ready to let anyone hear the music he has been hiding.

Taking the stage means risking embarrassment, judgment, and failure. Staying silent might mean never discovering where his voice belongs.

Mateo Makes Music: Not Your Average Fifth Grader is a heartfelt middle-grade story about friendship, sensory overwhelm, emotional expression, family, courage, and the power of finding your voice. Perfect for readers ages 8-12, this relatable story reminds children that being different is not something to hide-and that the quietest person in the room may have something extraordinary to share.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: B0HHCS8HKB
• ISBN13: 9798171064013
• Release Date: August 2026
• Publisher: Independently published
• Length: 181 Pages
• Weight: 0.50 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.0" x 0.4" x 6.0"