This is our first book on the list! It’s a teen fiction title that explores the very “grown-up” problems that a teenager finds when a sudden rise into rock n’ roll puts her in the spotlight.

Guitar Girl by Sarra Manning
©2003 – Published by Speak – An Imprint of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.

“So I put my arms round her and wished that I could gather her up
and take her to a place where we were both anywhere but where we were.”

Sarra Manning’s 2003 debut novel is set in England and told through the voice of its main character, Molly Montgomery. The story line unravels and follows a rock n’ roll journey through an industry that can seem glamorous and unattainable to many. Molly and the Hormones were the lucky ones – sort of.

This book was awesome! It was an emotional read with all of the great elements of writing – settings, conflicts, protagonists, antagonists, climaxes, and an ending that was revealed in the prologue, but hit me like a hot white revelation in the epilogue. I will read this book again! I want to buy a paperback copy so that I can scribble notes to the characters in the margins. I want to buy a hardback copy so that I can sit it on my desk as a reminder that life can often give us what we want – but it may not be what we expect. Wants can often be heartbreaking and always seem to come with a few bumps and bruises.

I’m very good when it comes to reading the last pages and paragraphs of books or stories – I don’t do it. I like to read from beginning to the end. This book’s prologue gave a quick glimpse of what the ending would be, but then the first chapter began a flashback of events that lead to the conclusion.

Molly Montgomery is 17 when she learns to play guitar and write songs about Hello Kitty. Her inspiration is Ruby X, a musician and lyricist, who Molly identifies with as starting a revolution for girls who love to rock. Molly starts her own band, the Hormones, with her friends Jane and Tara. Life for these three high school misfits takes a sudden turn when they meet up with Dean and “T” and are discovered by business savvy and smooth talking manager, Paul.

Molly’s heart is about changing the world through music; Paul’s heart is about boosting his bank account. Molly’s band mates fit into the glitter, glory and gore of making the rapid climb to being stars. However, for Molly, the climb for the Hormones is rocky and rough and she often stands on the sideline and watches as her own hormones rage. Molly eventually makes a decision – but I won’t tell you what it is.

I have opened a thread in our forum for discussion. I hope that you stop by and let me know what you think about Guitar Girl. You can get to the forum by clicking the little light bulb on the right hand side of the page, or you can get to the forum from the top of the page.

Have a great week!
Chel



SPECIAL NOTE:
Our next book club selection will be David Levithan’s Boy Meets Boy.