Rules to Rock by [Hardcover]

Final Grade: 96/A
256 pages
YA Contemporary
Recommend to students: A resounding YES!

REVIEW: Oh, I really, really liked this story. Annabelle Cabrera is such a fun character--she's bright, driven and spunky (oh, wait...don't call her spunky, she hates that). And I feel so bad for her at the beginning of the book. She had a really good thing going back in Brooklyn with her grandmother to take care of her while her parents are off doing their band thing. The parents' indie band, Bennie and Joon, is Dad's main focus and Mom's focus is Dad, leaving little room for the kids. This was okay when they lived with their grandmother but not good at all when they're stuck up in Providence, RI. One cannot live on chocolate chip pancakes alone, no matter how tasty.

Plus, and possibly most tragic, Annabelle has no one to rock out with! Back in NY, she was part of an up-and-coming band, one that was going places, one with fans as far away as Japan. But in RI, nothing. She's bound and determined to form her own band, with her as bassist and lead singer, and to write her own songs, too. That's more difficult that she expects, especially with an already-established rock band of 8th graders who also like to beat kids up and steal their lunch money.

The author brings his experience and knowledge of the music scene and of playing music to the story, which adds another dimension to it. I love how into music Annabelle is, how she goes about finding people who feel the same as she does, and how she finds support for her efforts from her ex-bandmate, who gives her the Rules to Rock By.

My only quibble is that these kids seemed older than sixth grade. The sixth graders I taught, especially at the beginning of the year, are more like elementary kids, pretty immature and nowhere as confident as Annabelle and her friends. I saw them more as eighth or ninth graders (which may not sound like a lot but it *really* is, especially in middle school). However, that's just me. I know there are mature 11 and 12 year olds out there but they're few and far between (despite what they think!). But this such a minor thing, it doesn't change the tone or tenor of the story (notice the music reference? heehee).

I'm adding this one to my list of favorite summer reads for 2010 'cause it totally rocks! (Sorry, it had to be said.

Playing bass guitar with the kid rock band Egg Mountain is all Annabelle "Belle" wants to do. They have become quite a sensation in New York. Being the kid of two famous indie rock musicians has given her a chance to learn and play with some of the best. Everything in Belle's life is about to change.

Belle's parents are knee-deep in recording a new album, and they've decided they need to get away from all the distractions of the big city. They are moving Belle and her little brother, Xavier, to Providence, Rhode Island. Belle can't believe she'll have to leave behind her band and her Abuela (grandmother) to live in a music studio where her parents will be busy every minute and she'll have no privacy at all.

The living conditions are bad enough, but it's even worse when Belle discovers how horrible Federal Hill Middle School is. The very first day she encounters one of the school's many bullies. They seem to take a special pleasure in shaking down the smaller kids for their lunch money. The only bright light in her terrible first days is Mr. V and his English class. With his help, she might be able to master the art of song writing.

Things are a mess at home. Belle is constantly left with the job of babysitting her brother while their parents work on the new album. Thanks to the group's drummer, who fixes chocolate chip pancakes at least four nights a week, they don't starve, but it's beyond ridiculous, and Belle has had it. All she wants is some time alone so she can work on getting a new band together.

With encouragement from her old band mate, Ronaldo, Belle plugs away at trying to find other musicians in her new school. She discovers a guitar player with some promise, but he only agrees to practice, not actually perform. With his help, they find a keyboard player nicknamed Crackers who not only plays well but also has a terrific voice. Now all that's left is a drummer, but finding someone may be more of a challenge than Belle wants.

RULES TO ROCK BY is the story of drive and determination. Author Josh Farrar introduces readers to Belle, whose love of music pushes her to accomplish her dream. Farrar creates countless obstacles for Belle, but she tackles them all. Middle grade readers will enjoy the rock and roll backdrop and the relatable characters Farrar uses to make RULES TO ROCK BY an entertaining read.

Reviewed by: Sally Kruger, aka "Readingjunky"

Annabelle Cabrera, the heroine of Rules to Rock By, shows other teens and tweens how to move to a new neighborhood and make friends through music. Her energy, curiosity and perseverance pay off in a big way when she and her band, the Bungles, compete in a Battle of the Bands.
The author's debut into tween lit is a resounding success. Don't forget to ask about the CD that pairs real-life girl musicians with their fictional counterparts.