Rock Band: Music and Misfits

The first in a highly attractive new series for younger teens, this will definitely appeal to Holly Smale fans. Whip smart, funny, fast paced and with some thoughtful insights into the perennial friendship issues that are often centre stage for this age group, the vibrant cover will ensure it is picked up, but it is the story that will get it passed around from one reader to the next. Our narrator is 14-year-old Galaxy, who believes she has the perfect name because she is going to be a star! A genuine and committed music lover she sings, writes lyrics and is sure she is going to be the ‘next big thing’ to be picked up on the social media she is also obsessed with. She also has Kia, her absolute ‘bestie’ since toddlerhood encouraging her. But it is Kia talking in assembly and Galaxy taking the rap for her that changes Galaxy’s life. In detention she meets notorious rebel Sabrina and discovers they have more in common than she thought. Sabrina is funny and also really into music and with the upcoming school talent contest in mind Galaxy, forgoes her dreams of a solo career and is persuaded that together they can form a rock band. But where do they find the drummer and guitarist they need? After advertising fails Galaxy finds herself accepting her drumming younger sister Zaya and Sabrina brings in quiet, ‘nerdy’ but hugely talented Grace. Just as the foursome are really beginning to enjoy themselves, things start to go wrong with jealous best friends and disastrous social media posts and a father losing his job. These are really relatable and compelling threads to this tale and the characterisation is a real strength. Galaxy is actually not at all likeable at times and definitely self-centred, but she learns by her mistakes and grows and matures, as she finds out what true friendship is. Hugely enjoyable and more thought provoking than you might expect, readers will be very keen to see what happens next.