Denman, K.L. Battle of the bands.

DENMAN, K.L. Battle of the bands. Orca, Soundings. 97p. c2006. 1-55143-540-3. $8.95, JS

Truism or cliche: A person must have intense, often harsh life experiences in order to create exceptional works. This theme makes up the focus in Denman's Battle of the Bands--a story about Jay, the lead member of a punk-type band called the Lunar Ticks, who is searching for life experiences that will enable him to take the band beyond the mediocrity of a "garage band" and win the annual "battle of the bands" competition. At first, Jay feels confident that the Lunar Ticks will prevail, until he hears Indigo Daze, a band whose lyricist has recently experienced personal tragedy that she incorporated into intensely emotional songs. Jay learns that defeat has positive consequences and that perhaps it isn't the quantity of life lived that gives good artists the edge over mediocre ones, but how aware people are of what they are living and the meaning they make of their experiences.

Orca Soundings novels strive to accommodate the reluctant or low-level reader: plots tend to be straightforward and easy to follow without more than three major characters. The premise of this story, a garage band competition, serves as a loose plot device that keeps the primary theme in the forefront. Unfortunately, the band names, character behaviors and a few of the minor events that occur might strike teen readers as too much like an adult attempting to relate to something he knows little about. Overall, however, it is a lively read with a strong theme that can lend itself to further discussion. Lisa Carlson, MIT, Teacher-Libn, Tyee H.S., SeaTac, WA

J--Recommended for junior high school students. The contents are of particular interest to young adolescents and their teachers.

S--Recommended for senior high school students.