Turn It Up!

Sophomores Lidia Sato, Sydney Marino, and Julianna Ramirez attend the private Bradley Academy in Florida where the Nightingales, the school’s female a cappella group, may have to disband due to a shortage of talented singers. An unexpected kiss from Griffin Mancini, a popular lead singer with the male Kingfishers a cappella group, threatens to ruin the friendship between Nightingales co-captains Lidia and Sydney, as well as the Nightingales’ comeback. Meanwhile, new student and songwriter Julianna doubts her singing ability after not making the Tonal Teens group at her old high school. Lidia and Sydney’s misunderstanding, group infighting, and Julianna’s lack of confidence jeopardize the Nightingales’ chances of bringing home a trophy from the upcoming Turn It Up competition. Although the three protagonists are talented and hardworking, Calonita (the Fairy Tale Reform School series) tends to emphasize their insecurities and immaturities for the sake of drama, and their decidedly first-world problems may not win them much sympathy. A rushed ending ties up the story’s loose ends at warp speed. Ages 12–up. Agent: Dan Mandel, Sanford J. Greenburger Associates. (Jan.)