I added three more YA books to my reader’s notebook this week. I’ll be sharing another of them later, but today I only want to focus on one. The past several YA books I’ve read have left me a little disappointed. They just didn’t feel genuine. All in all, they left me feeling like the writer rushed the process.
So I was relieved to finish ROCK ON: A STORY OF GUITARS, GIGS, GIRLS, AND A BROTHER (NOT NECESSARILY IN THAT ORDER) by Denise Vega, because the story felt right. I was satisfied at the end because it felt like everything worked together. Nothing was left nitpicking the corner of my brain.
The story was told through narrative, text messages, song lyrics, and blog posts, including comments (!). We follow Ori on his journey to Battle of the Bands. This story is about more than the Battle though, as Ori learns to be himself in the shadow of a once cool older brother who is now just a jerk. The story continues to spin, giving us glimpses of Ori’s friends, his family, and ultimately the relationship with his brother.
Unfortunately this book doesn’t come out until March, so you may want to check out FIVE FLAVORS OF DUMB by Antony John. I loved this book too, because of the characters and because of a glimpse into rock history. In FIVE FLAVORS OF DUMB, Piper is deaf and managing a rock band, Dumb. If you’ve not read FIVE FLAVORS OF DUMB, I’d definitely encourage you to add it to your list.
I’m realizing I like it when books take me into another world. BUNHEADS did this and so does ROCK ON. Even though I don’t have a lot of background knowledge for Battle of the Bands and high school garage bands, I easily slipped into Ori’s world. It’s the small details that make this happen…and the kind of details I want to learn to include in my fiction.
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Thanks so much for the kind words about my book, Ruth. Much appreciated! And thanks to the commenters too!
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I don’t judge a book by the cover, but I do judge the publisher. The publishers of these books know what sells. They’ve sold me. Off to add more titles to my TBR pile.
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I just finished Diamond Willow ( 2008) for a bit younger group. I like the use of poetry to tell the story and the hidden message. It is a quick read and is a great set up for discussions about families, growing up and taking responsibility or being given responsibility.
I will have to look up Five Flavors of Dumb – it is new to me. Thanks!
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I love Five Flavors of Dumb! It is a great book. I work with kids who are deaf and hard of hearing and I think John did a great job with the characters in this book. I loved the strong female protagonist. I thought it was interesting how he brought in some Jimmi Hendrix history that I didn’t know about at all. I recently read Jimmi: Sounds Like a Rainbow which is a non-fiction picture book about his life and I found myself remember Five Flavors of Dumb. It’s a great book. Now i’m excited for Rock On. 🙂
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I’ve always wanted to read Five Flavors of Dumb- thank you for reminding me of it and will move it up.
Have a good week 🙂
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I have been struggling with the ebb and flow of great vs okay YA lit. lately myself. Nothing compares to John Green’s latest. It would be nice to read something that feels authentic again. Thanks for the honest recommendations!
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I haven’t heard of these, so I will put them on the list. I imagine I know quite a few young teens who would love both. There is a rock band class at our school, so popular with the budding musicians. I bet they don’t know someone is writing about bands! thanks Ruth!
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