My Misadventures as a Teenage Rock Star

In pared-down, almost skeletal first-person narration, 14-year-old Alex reveals how rock and roll changed her from a lonely, insecure girl to one with much more confidence and less need for the validation of boys. After Alex's brother teaches her to play bass so she can join his friend's band, she gives herself a "cool bass-player chick" makeover, with combat boots, thrift-store clothes, and an edgy haircut. She soon snags her first boyfriend, but heartbreak follows both with him and with a stoner band mate. Alex truly starts to come into her own after she befriends Sal, a slightly older teenager who invites Alex to join her up-and-coming, straight-edge band. Raskin, bass player for the rock band Scarce, can be a bit blatant with her girl power message, and although Alex's insecurities, anguish, and successes feel genuine, the flattened narration blunts the book's emotional impact and makes her come across as exceptionally na%C3%AFve ("Tod's impressed. I'm flying high. All my problems are solved"). Concluding instructions on guitar playing and songwriting are included to encourage readers to follow Alex's path to greater self-assurance through music. Ages 12%E2%80%93up. (June)