BookHounds ya: books that rock

MY YEAR OF EPIC ROCK by ANDREA PYROS

ABSOLUTLEY LOVED IT

Nina Simmons is twelve and just starting the new school year in an epic downward spiral. Her BFF, Brianna, has always had her back and protected her from the evil food she is allergic too. But now, Brianna has moved on and is now besties with Shelley, the most popular girl in school. As Nina is exiled to the "allergy table", she starts to interact with her fellow outcasts and when the group realizes they all play instruments, the decide to form a band for the Halloween talent show! She is still hurt by Brianna's desertion, but as the group clicks and practices, she start to lose her feelings of hopelessness.

My heart broke for Nina, as she lost her best friend, Brianna, but in her loss, she comes to realize that she is stronger without Brianna. Brianna was a force of nature, always a leader, so Nina just followed. The group Nina is now in, respects her, and she now has her own voice. She has even discovered that people like her for herself, not as Brianna's friend. The band comes together and Nina finds herself with Evan, the cute boy from kindergarten that has caught Brianna's eye as well. It was great to see Nina's confidence grow as the band praticed and supported each other, both socially and allergically.

This book totally rocked! There are extreme highs and lows for Nina, just like any twelve year old girl. The story was believable and I am so glad I never have to relive being that age again! Allergies are no laughing matter, as Nina tries to adjust to peer presure and ends up with a major reaction when she tries to eat like everyone else. She realizes that her true friends are always looking out for her. She triumphs at the end by trying something new with her band, The EpiPens. I loved the fact that Nina is a drummer! Parents: this is a nice clean read that should appeal to the whole family.

I have to include the song that Nina rocked out to with her band since it is one of my all time favorites!

Nina Simmons’ song would be “You Can’t Always Eat What You Want.” (Peanut allergies, ugh). But that’s okay, because as her best friend Brianna always said, “We’re All in This Together.”

Until the first day of the seventh grade, when Brianna dumps her to be BFFs with the popular new girl. Left all alone, Nina is forced to socialize with “her own kind”–banished to the peanut-free table with the other allergy outcasts. As a joke, she tells her new pals they should form a rock band called EpiPens. (Get it?) Apparently, allergy sufferers don’t understand sarcasm, because the next thing Nina knows she’s the lead drummer.

Now Nina has to decide: adopt a picture-perfect pop personality to fit in with Bri and her new BFF or embrace her inner rocker and the spotlight. Well..

Call Me a Rock Star, Maybe.

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About the Author

Andrea Pyros is an experienced writer and former teen magazine editor. She's also had jobs waiting tables (hard!), baking cookies (delicious!), steaming clothing (hot!) and interviewing celebs (terrifying!). But other than a brief period wanting to be a private detective like Nancy Drew or Trixie Belden, she's dreamt of being a writer all her life. A native of New York City, she now lives in New York's Hudson Valley with her husband and their two children. This is her first novel. Visit her at www.andreapyros.com.

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PLEASE WELCOME ANDREA TO BOOKHOUNDS

1. What is the first book you remember reading by yourself as a child?

Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White. I was so enthralled that my mother let me stay up late to finish it in one sitting.

2. What are you reading right now?

I have so many books piled up by my bed, and I am dying to read them all. Next, I’m finally getting to Veronica Roth’s Insurgent. Yay!

3. How does your garden grow?

If I can get reading time, down time + family time every day, I feel very lucky and very happy.

4. What is the last thing you Googled?

How did any of us ever live without Google? In the past 30 minutes, I’ve already looked for driving directions; where buy eco-friendly school supplies; and how to make egg-free blueberry muffins.

5. What makes you cringe?

Nails on a chalkboard—forever awful. Although that terrible news story about the woman whose eyeballs were eaten by amoebas may be the worst, cringiest thing of all time.

WANT TO WIN THIS AWESOME BOOK?

Ends 9/9/14

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Book Description

Publication Date: April 29, 2014

Kevin Emerson's Exile combines the swoon-worthy romance of a Susane Colasanti novel with the rock 'n' roll of Eleanor & Park. Summer Carlson knows how to manage bands like a professional—minus the whole falling-for-the-lead-singer-of-the-latest-band part. But Caleb Daniels isn't an ordinary band boy—he's a hot, dreamy, sweet-singing, exiled-from-his-old-band, possibly-with-a-deep-dark-side band boy. She also finds herself at the center of a mystery she never saw coming. When Caleb reveals a secret about his long-lost father, one band's past becomes another's present, and Summer finds it harder and harder to be both band manager and girlfriend. Maybe it's time to accept who she really is, even if it means becoming an exile herself. . . .

About the Author

Kevin Emerson is the author of The Lost Code: Book One of the Atlanteans, The Fellowship for Alien Detection, the Oliver Nocturne series, and Carlos Is Gonna Get It. He is also a musician and has most recently released two albums with his band, the Board of Education. A former science teacher, Kevin lives in Seattle and teaches writing to teens through Writers in the Schools, Richard Hugo House, and 826 Seattle.

SOURCE: PUBLSIHER

MY THOUGHTS - LOVED IT

Catherine Summer Carlson knows how to manage a band and make them successful, so successful that they are stolen away from her by a major label. She also has a thing for lead singers and now in her senior year at Mount Hope, the local art magnet school in Los Angeles, she must face the fact that there is not a band for her to take to stardom and ends up making college plans. Then she meet Caleb who just had a nasty break up with his band. She sees the potential in Caleb and starts to put together a solid foundation for a new stellar act. She doesn't plan on the chemistry that is ignited between them though. Caleb also confesses to her that he has just learned that his father was one of rock's brightest stars when his untimely death brought an end to his stardom.

Without giving away any plot details, Summer (as she is known professionally) helps Caleb track down his father's last songs as well as deal with despicable music corporations that own everything about his father. As the pair become closer and have all of the ups and downs a new relationship and mix that in with volatile musicians, the story really comes together. Summer is likable and Caleb seems like every girl's rock star dream. I really enjoyed this one and want to read more by this author. And yes, I really want to read the next one.

Parents: Mentions of adults with substance abuse, some alcohol references, a bit of language and some sexual situations but overall handled nicely and in context. The story also imports the necessity of doing well in school, acting responsibly and being true to yourself.

Disclosure I received this book from the publisher at no charge and in no way influenced my review. If you are considering purchasing this book or anything else from Amazon, please use my link above since I earn a very small percentage of the sale which helps pay for shipping my giveaways! You can also support the blog by clicking on the ads at the top of the page.