DogBreath victorious

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly

Tim Threlfall, a walking high school disaster as well as lead guitar and vocals of an alternative Seattle rock band called DogBreath, sarcastically narrates this debut novel. Tim's insurance salesman father died, leaving Tim and his "Affirmation Queen" mother with rapidly mounting debts. To top it off, school counselor Mr. Thompson rocks Tim's body-pierced world when he bans Tim from performing until his grades improve; and his best friend Ziggy recruits geeky-looking Phoebe with blue plastic glasses for the "Rad Band Contest @ Lewd Fingers' Dirt Club." Some readers may enjoy Tim's caustic humor and the harsh way in which he judges adults, but the jaded tone distances readers from the seriousness of Tim's predicaments, reducing the loss of his father, his embarrassment by his mother and his rejection by his crush to comic fodder (not to mention his Zen teacher's potshot at Buddhism, reducing the "sound of one hand clapping" to a slap on the face). The identity of the Angry Housewives, who beat Tim's band in the contest's first round, proves transparent, as does Tim's eventual romantic switcheroo. Ages 12-up. (Dec.) Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.

VOYA

Although this funny story takes place in Seattle in the early to mid90s when grunge music was just starting to get big, Tim describes his band as a post punk, alternative rock band. When the author described the adventures that lead up to the Battle of the Bands, I could not put it down. Most teenagers will enjoy reading this book, especially those who are interested in the music business because it really gives the reader a sense of what it is like trying to get gigs and contracts. This book reminds me of the movie Salt Lake City Punk, which is about two teens who act just like Tim and Ziggy. When they are not playing their instruments, they just walk around doing funny things. Most teenagers will relate to the characters and topic of this book. VOYA CODES: 3Q 4P J S (Readable without serious defects; Broad general YA appeal; Junior High, defined as grades 7 to 9; Senior High, defined as grades 10 to 12). 1999, Holiday House, Ages 13 to 18, 188p, $16.95. Reviewer: Corey Presha, Teen Reviewer