Exile

March 1, 2014
At the unusual, LA-area Mount Hope High, students are immersed in the music industry, taking classes such as Physics of Volume and playing showcases in the Don Henley amphitheater; here, even nonmusicians like Summer can study the marketing and management aspects of the music business. Caleb and Summer quickly bond at the beginning of the book; incidents that occurred last year have left them both exiled from the school's music scene. Caleb shares with Summer the revelation that prompted his recent unravelling--he has learned that he is the son of notorious dead rock star Eli White. As Summer helps Caleb put together and promote his new band, Dangerheart, she also helps him unravel the mystery of his father's legendary lost songs. She struggles to balance her roles as supportive girlfriend and band manager, especially once the mysterious Val shows up, who rocks as Dangerheart's bassist but seems interested in being more than just bandmates with Caleb. The well-paced narrative presents a unique perspective on this genre, showcasing teens on the business side of the music industry, and the twists in the storyline will keep readers' attention. The abrupt ending avoids wrapping up many of the story's loose ends, leaving several subplots and characters waiting for the sequel. This engaging read steeped in music, romance and mystery opens a promising trilogy. (Fiction. 13-17)

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May 1, 2014

Gr 9 Up-Summer Carlson enters her senior year of high school still reeling from the pain of losing the band she managed to a major record label. Finding a new band is easy at Mount Hope High, though. The school's PopArts program, which attracts teen music prodigies, offers lunchtime concerts, professional-grade practice studios, and a full espresso bar-it's the high school of every rocker's dreams. Summer connects with Caleb Daniels, who recently ditched his group without explanation. The teen reveals that his father was legendary rocker Eli White, who tragically drowned before finishing his band's much-anticipated second album. When Caleb discovers a letter his father wrote him, the teens embark on a wild goose chase to find tapes with three songs secretly recorded by White. Narrated by Summer, this novel will appeal to musicians and music lovers. Emerson keeps a solid balance of romance, fast-paced mystery, and coming-of-age strife (relationships with parents, defining one's self, friendship betrayal). A strong cosmic theme runs through the novel, grounded by the model solar system spread throughout the town, which Caleb and Summer visit at various points during the story. All is bolstered by the protagonist's introspective thoughts, which give the book a sense of depth without coming off as preachy. Summer observes "maybe we go in circles, but they're orbits, created by the gravity of our hearts and hopes...." Teens may be disappointed by the abrupt ending, but even so, the novel is a worthwhile read.-Nicole Knott, Watertown High School, CT

Copyright 2014 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

May 1, 2014
Grades 8-11 Summer is about to start her senior year at a school that offers budding rock stars and would-be managers early immersion in the profession. Although still smarting from getting dumped by both her boyfriend and the band she managed, Summer is ready to find a new group of musicians. Instead, she finds Caleb, a brooding, sensitive front man who dumped his own band when he learned he was the son of dead rock legend Eli White. Summer and Caleb fall for each other, and she builds a band around Caleb, but she can't find a bass player. Enter sullen, enigmatic, and talented Val, who also has a thing for Caleb. Will Val steal Caleb? Will Caleb and Summer find the three missing songs from White's last album and use them to buy instant fame? The romance and plot devices are fairly pedestrian, but Emerson's love and knowledge of rock music (he is a musician himself) are a real plus. Emerson talks rock history with a style and fervor that will send readers to YouTube to catch the classic moments mentioned by his music-savvy characters.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2014, American Library Association.)