Rock the Boat

January 1, 2015
A young musician tries to break into the business in Nashville and becomes entrapped by a shady producer.Webb isn't sure if he can become a successful singer/songwriter, but he wants to give it a shot. On the deck of his free-to-live-in houseboat he writes a new song, "Rock the Boat," and plays it for Gerald Dean, the indie producer he's working with on a CD. Dean advises against pursuing the song, then demands more money to finish production of the CD. Despite reservations, Webb decides to clean out his savings to pay the man. Just after the session Webb meets Harley, a street musician, and jams with him, playing the new song. Events demonstrate to Webb that Dean has stolen "Rock the Boat" and is accusing Webb of stealing two valuable guitars as a distraction. Fortunately, Harley may be able to help. Brouwer keeps both chapters and book as short as possible; despite this, his characters shine as individuals, and clearly he has done his research on the dangers the music world poses for new talent. If the story relies on luck, it still works as a cautionary tale of the music industry, where newcomers easily fall prey to con artists. A quick read for music lovers. (Fiction. 12-18)

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March 1, 2015

Gr 7-10-In Rock the Boat, 17-year-old Webb is a Canadian songwriter trying to land a record deal in Nashville. He runs into financial trouble when he places his trust in an unscrupulous record producer. When Webb buys lunch for a musician who turns out to be more than meets the eye, the young man's fortune begins to change. In Learning the Ropes, despite her father's misgivings, Mandy attends a camp that trains young people to be professional circus performers. She needs to stay focused on her rope climbing to beat the competition, but an accident resulting in the death of a local aerialist threatens Mandy's drive. Does she have the guts to pursue this dangerous profession, or should she follow her dad's advice and set her dream aside? Both of these novels will hook readers from the first chapter. Even though the ambitions of the main characters are specialized, Webb and Mandy are relatable to any young teen in pursuit of a dream. The specifics of the characters' interests-music and circus performance-are described in a way that is true to life and easy to grasp. VERDICT Suspenseful plots, fascinating details, and likable protagonists make these titles wonderful additions to hi-lo collections.-Alison O'Reilly Poage, Seminary of the Southwest Lib.

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