Rhythm and Blues by Jill Murray
Summary: Alya is part of a b-girl group when she is approached with a life-changing offer to be a part of a new singing group called EnChantay. But even though everyone encourages her to jump at the opportunity and the group itself is full of potential, Alya quickly learns that being in show business requires huge sacrifices and isn’t all it seems to be. Interactions with a fellow EnChantay group member help Alya clarify what she really wants from life, but working up the courage to be true to herself takes reflection, time and a certain amount of guts.
Number of Pages: 219
Age Range: 13-15
Review: A companion book to Break On Through, Rhythm and Blues tells about an experience in Hydra Force member Alya’s life that leads her to embrace who she is and to stand up for herself.
Jill Murray writes about strong, talented, inspiring female characters who think for themselves and have the courage to act on what they believe is right. They are real people who make mistakes, but their level of self-awareness allows them not to make the same mistakes twice and to step up when they need to.
Rhythm and Blues explores the subject of discovering an important piece of a teen’s identity. When Alya is able to be honest with herself about being a lesbian, the realisation changes her. By the end of the novel she isn’t quite ready to tell her family yet, but she does make choices to protect herself and her ambitions. I wished Alya’s realisation wasn’t the result of her attraction to Ange, a teen girl who was only using her though. I cared about Alya and wanted better for her.
But mostly, it was just an interesting and fun read. It was kind of like reading Dumb Luck by Lesley Choyce, a story about a teen winning the lottery and how things really turn out after that happens. Alya’s story is all about what some teens think they want when they’re young, fame and fortune. The opportunity is handed to her because of her looks and a little bit because of her talent. Murray takes an unlikely situation and brings realism into it, except her resolution to the story isn’t as bleak as Choyce’s. I quite enjoyed her exploration of the true cost of fame and the secrets behind it, especially in the case of Bershawn.
Murray is a thoughtful and engaging writer that I hope to read again soon.
Memorable Quotes:
“But training can betray you, too. I had so much of it behind me, it was all my life amounted to: a training life. Like a honestly believed that if I practiced enough, I’d get to have a real one someday – if I was ever ready to take off the extra training wheels or pull out the padding.” – Alya from Rhythm and Blues by Jill Murray, pages 1-2
“And even if it meant waking up in that dorm, I liked the feeling of getting up in the morning and going to work, dancing, singing – performing with my whole body, my brain, and my heart – even if all three of them took a serious beating on alternating days.” – Alya from Rhythm and Blues by Jill Murray, page 122
“It’s just business, it’s just business, it’s just business. The now-familiar refrain ran through my mind on repeat, and a single question rose above it: If business was just business, music was just business, and life was just business, what was left? Why did anyone bother doing business in the first place?” – Alya from Rhythm and Blues by Jill Murray, page 182
“I didn’t even recognize myself anymore. What had happened to Alya who was always ahead? The one everyone said had so much potential? That Alya would never have followed Ange into that club and swallowed all those shots like she was Alice in Wonderland. Eat me. Drink me. Kiss me. If Angelique had been a guy, the old Alya would have told her, Bite me.” – Alya from Rhythm and Blues by Jill Murray, page 191
“‘I think what Alya’s trying to say – ‘ my mother started.
But I already knew what I was trying to say. I loved performing, but I also loved life – real life – my family, my friends, the Hydra Force, the stinky b-boy van, all the summer reading I hadn’t done for Rosewood, my own style, my own strengths. On its own, each of those things sounded like a tiny detail, but I realized that what it all added up to was that I wasn’t like Angelique, who only wanted to be famous, or Julie, who only wanted to make music, or RJ, who only wanted to be ‘hot.’ I didn’t want only one thing. I wanted all of those things, and a life, and my own ideas. And if wanting all of them meant I could only have a tiny piece of each one, or could only have them one at a time, or I could only have them later, I could wait. It wasn’t business to me. It was everything.” – Alya from Rhythm and Blues by Jill Murray, page 214
Rhythm and Blues by Jill Murray is published by Doubleday Canada (2010).
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Pop by Gordon Korman
Summary: While exploring the new town he and his mother have moved to after his parents’ divorce, Marcus meets a mysterious man named Charlie who joins in his football practice and teaches him about true love of the game. During their encounters Marcus realises that Charlie’s memory is patchy, and eventually he learns that Charlie is an ex-NFL player whose stellar career has taken a very personal toll, leaving him with early onset Alzheimer’s. Their friendship helps Marcus adjust to living in a new place, and gives him new confidence in the way he plays football. Marcus’ perspective of Charlie in turn helps him see the Charlie he never really knew but who still exists, and Marcus is willing to do anything to help Charlie feel like himself again.
Number of Pages: 262
Age Range: 15-17
Review: After finishing Pop, I find myself haunted by its final scenes. Gordon Korman’s writing is well-developed and I was taken in by the motivations and actions of each character, which is why I was so sad when it was over.
The friendship between Charlie and Marcus was unique. I loved Marcus’ dedication to Charlie even before he knew about the Alzheimer’s, and how Charlie was his first friend in town. It’s complicated by the fact that Charlie sees Marcus as someone from his past, but their mutual love of football cements their friendship, as well as pranks played on a local shopkeeper.
Korman aptly explores the various reactions to Charlie’s illness from family members to friends to Charlie himself who are all mourning the gradual losses his illness will bring in different ways. Tension built up over the course of the story remains unresolved because knowing Charlie’s illness was a direct result of his career does not stop Marcus from playing or loving the game of football. But that’s why he and Charlie bonded so quickly, because they both understood what it was to crave the feel of the game in spite of the risks.
I’d recommend Pop for mid to older teen readers looking for a sensitive book about the darker side of football, and the power of the most unlikely friendships.
Memorable Quotes:
“How was it possible for a man of fifty plus to wipe up the park with a kid less than a third his age? And not just to do it, but to love doing it! Whenever Charlie was making bone-jarring contact, the expression on his face was nothing short of bliss. Like Mozart at the harpsichord or Edison tinkering with some invention – it was something he was just meant to do.” – from Pop by Gordon Korman, page 25
“Deluca put the car back in gear and off they raced, siren wailing once again. ‘You’re some piece of work, Marcus Jordan – some weird, loyal, stupid piece of work,’ he said after a moment. ‘I think I’m starting to like you. I’ve always been a lousy judge of character.'” – Officer Deluca from Pop by Gordon Korman, page 221
“Before this moment, the very nature of Charlie’s confusion had protected him from the truth of his situation. But at last, he was face-to-face with the fact that his life was never going to be the same again.” – from Pop by Gordon Korman, page 245
Pop by Gordon Korman is published by Scholastic Canada (2009).
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The Plain Janes by Cecil Castellucci
Summary: After Jane is caught in terrorist attack on Metro City, she can’t go back to being the person she was before. Her parents move her out of the city and she draws inspiration from a sketchbook she picked up from a man in a coma after the attack. With a new haircut and a new perspective, Jane seeks out other outcasts in her new school even when the popular crowd approaches her to join them. Together they perform random acts of art around town, stirring things up and encouraging people to take a closer look at their surroundings.
Number of Pages: 147
Age Range: 13-15
Review: I enjoyed this one. I think my favourite art attack the P.L.A.I.N Janes did was the one where they tied empty soda bottles with messages in them to hang from tree branches. Well, that and the glitter/paint ball at New Years. So imaginative!
But what I especially liked was that the art was Jane’s response to her changing world. She went through something in Metro City, surviving a bomb attack and saving the life of a man in a coma, and instead of making her life smaller and not trusting anything like her mother does, she decides instead to spread love and awareness. The Janes challenge an entire community to see things differently, and to consider what an attack really means. Art does end up changing people in the town, even though Jane sometimes finds herself discouraged about their efforts.
At the end, as Castellucci predicted herself when I heard her speak a couple of weeks ago, I wished I had the sequel handy to read as well because the ending is a bit of a cliff-hanger. Unfortunately it wasn’t at my local library to borrow, so I’ll have to put it on hold and read it later. I can’t wait.
Memorable Quotes:
“When the Janes and I are doing our art thing I feel like I’m giving a piece of joy to everyone.
It’s like I am asking the world to keep me safe by making them pause for just one minute.” Jane from The Plain Janes by Cecil Castellucci and Jim Rugg
“…I worry that art doesn’t change anything or anyone.
And I don’t want to face the day.
Why is the world so full of hate? I can’t bear it.
Today nothing is beautiful. Maybe tomorrow.” – Jane from The Plain Janes by Cecil Castellucci and Jim Rugg
“Is she going to let me get my own apartment? Go to college? Travel the world?
She’s so afraid that she’s going to make me afraid of the whole universe. I don’t want to be like that.” – Jane from The Plain Janes by Cecil Castellucci and Jim Rugg
“I had to tell myself that when I opened my eyes, I needed to be prepared to see the worst thing ever. And when I did it was even worse.
I feel like I’m always going to have this big black hole inside of me. Like I’m never going to be ok. Like I’m always going to be afraid.” – Jane from The Plain Janes by Cecil Castellucci and Jim Rugg
The Plain Janes by Cecil Castellucci and Jim Rugg is published by Minx Books (2007).
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Pieces of Me by Charlotte Gingras
Summary: Mirabelle is nearly fifteen and living with her mother since her father left. Dealing with her mother’s social anxiety and paranoia on her own, Mira (as she prefers to be called) is isolated and lonely until she makes a friend in her art class at school. Mira is used to being letdown by the people she loves, and her quest for the security she missed out in her father/daughter relationship leads her to make some poor choices. When tragedy strikes, her fragile hold on her life is greatly shaken. Fortunately, Mira now has people in her life who won’t let her down and are willing to help her put her pieces back together.
Number of Pages: 139
Age Range: 15-17
Review: This is my second reading Pieces of Me by Charlotte Gingras and while I did enjoy it the first time, I gleaned more from it the second time. Because this time I was able to put the incident with the art teacher in perspective.
Mira is a lonely girl dealing with her mother’s twisted view of the world all by herself. With minimal support from her father and no friendships, when she does make a friend Christine is like a light shining in the darkness. But because Mira has lived so long in the dark, the darkness creeps in on her friendship through a misunderstanding that Mira is not willing to let go because it proves what she has come to expect through previous experience, that people are unreliable.
Gingras’ book is a work of beauty. It reminded me of My Name is Asher Lev by Chaim Potok with its exquisite descriptions of Mira’s drawings and other works of art. Her apt use of imagery and metaphor with the tree that seemed to be dead and the bird that pulled out its own feathers makes the read more like poetry instead of prose.
But mostly I just loved reading about Mira, the girl who looks. She catches so many things that others don’t see because of her life experiences, and while at times she is at a disadvantage because she is so vulnerable, she has the good fortune of being surrounded by those who won’t take advantage of it: Christine, the Birdman and Paule.
If you’ve read the book you might think it’s odd that I included the Birdman in that list. After a lot of thought though, I realised he does belong there. As Mira’s teacher he never should have had her over to his house, and he definitely never should have let things go as far as they did, but when he stopped himself and then encouraged Mira to see a counsellor, I saw that he knew what he was doing and was willing to step up and take responsibility for his actions. He knew he was wrong, and he did his best to support Mira by passing her on to a trusted colleague once his integrity had been compromised.
But the best part of the book is Mira’s relationship with Paule. Paule listens to her, loves her unconditionally, and helps her develop the tools she needs to get along in life that she didn’t learn from her parents. Their bond as therapist and patient is special, because they both see things others don’t.
Pieces of Me is about a caged bird who finally gets to fly, and I loved every sentence of it.
Memorable Quotes:
“Do you know what a mirabel is?
A little round yellow plum. Used in
brandy and jams.
At birth my mother says I was all
round with soft blond down on my
head. The minute she laid eyes on me,
she knew she’d call me Mirabelle.
My mother looks hungry just telling the story.” – Mirabelle’s introduction from Pieces of Me by Charlotte Gingras
“Anytime I see a damaged tree, it makes me shudder. Cowards make me furious. The ones who don’t watch where they’re going, the ones who injure trees then leave them to suffer and die. The ones who run away.” – Mira from Pieces of Me by Charlotte Gingras, page 16
“I feel like eating a whole bag of nachos. I feel like hitchhiking north to the end of the road. I feel like cutting off my eyelashes. Some days I can feel my chest ready to explode in all directions. It hurts. Nothing explodes. Then I don’t feel anything. I just want to lie across my bed and wait for the moment to pass.” – Mira from Pieces of Me by Charlotte Gingras, page 24
“On my way down to the tunnel, I tell myself having a friend isn’t as simple as I thought, sometimes you feel all mixed up inside. Sometimes you feel jealous.” – Mira from Pieces of Me by Charlotte Gingras, pages 47-48
“As Beatrice climbs up his arm to his shoulder, I tell myself I can understand a budgie suffering from too much loneliness. I was just like her before Catherine became my friend. Every dark thought born out of my loneliness made me pull out another feather.” – Mira from Pieces of Me by Charlotte Gingras, pages 80-81
“I’ll never draw as well as him. So much beauty, the subtle colors, the precise details. I’ll never be able to. Sometimes, the feeling that I’ll never be able to do it is overpowering. Not just draw. Grow up. Leave.” – Mira from Pieces of Me by Charlotte Gingras, page 85
“‘Why should I go?’ I clench my fists so as not to fall into pieces at his feet.
‘Because I’m worried about you. But more than anything, because she helps wounded souls heal … and right now, you’re bleeding all over the place.” – conversation between Mira and the Birdman about her seeing a therapist from Pieces of Me by Charlotte Gingras, page 109
“Just then, without the slightest warning, my eyes start tearing up. Me, who never cries in front of other people. Never, ever, I swear.
I drop into the blue armchair across from hers, my hands over my face to hide the flood of tears and also because I’m so tired. I can feel her blind gaze on me, and maybe that, too, makes me cry. As though it could see inside me.” – Mira from Pieces of Me by Charlotte Gingras, page 112
“I run down the hall, grab my boots. My mother’s voice all sleepy, ‘Is that you, Mirabelle mine?’ I leave. There’s no lock on the door, there’s a lock in my head. My mother invented it, I believed her.” – Mira from Pieces of Me by Charlotte Gingras, page 114
“A lucky thing that Paule is here twice a week ready to listen to my crazy stories. Today I’m telling her how I live in a hole in the ground. My mother right next to me. Above us, in the light, is where other humans live. Paule holds out her hand, and I climb with her for a few minutes into the world of light with the others. ‘There is a life for you, too, outside,’ Paule interrupts. ‘A life not spent living with your mother and her fears … Where you can take flight …’
‘But not always, just a little every once in a while. When I go back to the house, I go back to the underground world. When I go outside, I take part of the underground world with me. That’s why I’m sadder than the others, why I dress in black and why sometimes I’m not brave enough.’
‘There’s a life for you outside. Your life belongs to you …'” – conversation between Mira and Paule from Pieces of Me by Charlotte Gingras, page 121
“Paule thinks I made a choice that day at Lac Perdu, to trust human beings, even though they’d hurt me, even though they’d often seemed cruel to me, even though the wounds sometimes hurt so much that I felt like leaving forever. ‘To me, you’re like a small wild animal that’s been wounded and has to be touched very gently and only when it’s ready …’
Hearing her words, I burst into sobs because of the underground world I live in, without light, without warmth, and it’s too hard and it’s been too long.” – from Pieces of Me by Charlotte Gingras, page 122
Pieces of Me by Charlotte Gingras is published by KCP Fiction. (Originally published in 2005, translated by Susan Ouriou in 2009).
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Millions for a Song by Andre Vanasse
Summary: Alex and his garage band Nexxtep grow quickly in popularity in their neighbourhood until they have their own concert. After the concert, a man named Tom Paradis approaches the band to offer to be their manager, and they sign a contract with him that appears to be legitimate, but the truth is they are minors that don’t know what they are doing. Their lack of knowledge leads them to get burned badly by Mr. Paradis, but the band is determined to fight back for what is rightfully theirs.
Number of Pages: 93
Age Range: 13-14
Review: Millions for a Song is a fun read if you don’t examine it too closely.
The questions answered by the author André Vanasse reveal a lot about the novel itself. It seems his son Alexandre had a band that was also called Nexxstep, and this story is a sort of fantastical imaging about what might have happened if his band had evolved beyond the garage stage. Also, Vanasse wanted to try his hand at writing a young adult book, and Millions for a Song is his attempt.
It’s an interesting premise, and surprisingly the aspect of the book I found most unbelievable was that Alexandre and his friends were allowed to sign a legally binding contract when they were minors without any advice from a lawyer or permission from their parents. How could it be legally binding then?
The foreshadowing when Nexxtep runs into a member of the band The Box who warns them about the parasites of the music industry was a bit overdone and there are serious issues involving Mélanie that are hinted at broadly but not explored. 93 pages just wasn’t enough to prove any real depth to the characters in the story. Otherwise, I enjoyed its fast-paced nature, the triumph of the band in the end, and the fact that it was an imaginative tale.
I’d recommend it for reluctant and younger teen readers.
Memorable Quotes:
“Melanie is unhappy. I hope I’m wrong, but I’m afraid she’ll always be that way. All because of what happened to her in her childhood that she can’t forget.
Sometimes I hate adults. They’re blind to the hurt they cause. All they think about them is themselves, what makes them happy. Kids have no say in it. they’re supposed to shut up and take whatever comes. Their lives can be totally shattered, but it doesn’t matter as long as adults get what they want.” – Alex from Millions for a Song by André Vanasse, page 16
Millions for a Song by André Vanasse is published by Red Deer Press. Translated by Christelle Morelli & Susan Ouriou (2013).
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About Amy
Amy Mathers has been passionate about reading from a very young age, and hopes others will share her enthusiasm for funding a teen book award. Read more Follow Amy
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