Thunderbowl

Jeremy's band is really hot. Thunderbowl is on the way up and they have had their first big break, which is a long-term gig at a local bar. The only problem is that while Jeremy should be doing his homework and keeping up in school, he is spending most nights in a rowdy club, trying to keep the band together while his life is falling apart. Trying to balance his dreams of success with the hard realities of the music business, Jeremy is forced to make some tough choices.

We played for ten minutes and drove home every last note. Al sang a barely audible lead and Drek and I tried to do backup vocals, but I don't think our mikes were even on. Toward the end, though, I had a long, crazy riff to play on my guitar. And you know what? It sounded good. It sounded better that I had ever played. It was like my guitar and my fingers were doing all the work. I just stood there and watched. My fingers danced like fireworks. The lights sent mirror blasts of magic to the four corners of the room. And when I cranked the heat up to the absolute boiling point, we cut the song. Right on cue. Just like in practice. Jeremy's band is hot—really hot. Thunderbowl is on the way up and they have had their first big break - a long-term gig at a local bar. The only problem is that while Jeremy should be doing his homework and keeping up in school, he is spending most nights in a rowdy club, trying to keep the band together while his life is falling apart. Trying to balance his dreams of success with the hard realities of the music business, Jeremy is forced to make some tough choices. This is Lesley Choyce's second novel for Orca Soundings. A best-selling multi-genre author, and a lead guitarist in a 1960's rock band called The Wipeouts, Lesley is also an avid surfer.

Jonatha Masters - VOYA

All Germ wants to do is play his guitar in a rock band. He does okay in school, but he only feels truly cool when he is up on stage in front of an audience. His band, Thunderbowl, gets a weekly gig playing at a club called The Dungeon. Germ knows he could get into serious trouble from both his parents and the club manager if they find out his secret. Germ does his best to hold everything together, but the outcome is almost inevitable. How can Germ convince his parents that playing guitar is a creative outlet for him and not just some passing, teenage phase? Choyce creates a book in which the plot starts quickly and the reader is instantly attached to the main character. Many teenagers will feel a kinship with Germ because of what he goes through with his parents and his need for escape. As part of the Orca Soundings series, this book would be excellent for reluctant readers because it is short and will hold their attention. The reading level of this book is listed at grade four and above, and reluctant readers will not have to struggle with difficult vocabulary or a complex plot. Any teacher or librarian who works with reluctant readers should definitely include this book. VOYA CODES: 4Q 3P M J S (Better than most, marred only by occasional lapses; Will appeal with pushing; Middle School, defined as grades 6 to 8; Junior High, defined as grades 7 to 9; Senior High, defined as grades 10 to 12). 2004, Orca, 102p., pb. Ages 11 to 18.