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Reading age
8-12
Genre
Realistic fiction
Publisher
Quill Tree Books
Publication date
May 7, 2024
Will Lily be able to stand up for others and find her voice?
Lily Xiao, a young lady, wants to break away from her “class robot” label and explore a grungier side to herself. When she stumbles upon Camp Rockout, it feels like a perfect opportunity for her and her cousin, Vivian, to pursue their dreams of becoming a singer and a drummer, respectively. However, there’s a catch—Vivian is having trouble with English, and they can only attend the camp if their grades are both excellent on their progress reports. As Lily works to support her cousin, she realizes that many other kids also need assistance, and she begins to find her voice in the process.
In this book, the story unfolds in California during the 1990s, a time when grunge music dominated the music scene. The narrative makes several references to iconic rock bands like Pearl Jam and Smashing Pumpkins. One fascinating tidbit I discovered was about Eddie Vedder, who was idolized by the character Lily and his involvement in the Temple of the Dog album. It was interesting to share this knowledge with my dad, who, despite being a teenager in the ’90s, was unaware of Eddie Vedder’s contribution to the album.
Lily emerged as a determined and relatable protagonist, and I cheered for her as she underwent significant character development throughout the book. Vivian, a character in the story, is portrayed as kind and endearing, while Marcos, another prominent character, is depicted as complex and multi-dimensional.
I recommend this book to grunge music fans and those who appreciate occasional nostalgic trips down memory lane.
My rating
