The Backups A summer of stardom

Gr 7 Up--Three Brooklyn Performing Arts High School juniors land the gig of a lifetime. Jenni, a fat white aspiring singer; Lauren, a Black cellist with a tendency toward perfectionism; and Maggie, an Asian drummer, accustomed to the sexism of the heavy metal scene, will be singing backup on pop star Nika Nitro's tour. However, lengthy rehearsals, constant criticism, and the lingering effects of pretour drama make this dream job more like a nightmare. Plus, Nika's no-dating policy hampers a burgeoning romance between Jenni and former boy-band star Tommy Vincent. On the first stop, in Miami, the girls agree to a musical grudge match with Maggie's favorite metal band right before their first official tour show. Will the Backups successfully harness their musical talents--and make it back in time for Nika's show? Readers will cheer on the Backups as they find their creative footing, stand up to poison-tongue haters, and forge a fierce friendship. Stylized, clean-lined art focuses on characters over backgrounds and conveys an upbeat tone that matches the pop music vibe. With the book focusing primarily on tour preparation and depicting only the first tour stop, some will wonder whether there is an intended sequel. Though the premise of a pop singer hiring inexperienced high school students strains credulity, readers likely won't mind. The cast is diverse in terms of ethnicity, body type, and LGBTQIA+ identities, and de Campi explores relevant issues, such as body-shaming and bullying. VERDICT Come for the wacky shenanigans; stay for the heartfelt friendships. Ideal for teen pop enthusiasts.--Pearl Derlaga, York County P.L., VA

Three high school juniors on summer break are chosen as backup singers for superstar Nika Nitro. Pop enthusiast Jenni couldn't be more excited to be on tour with one of her favorite singers. Serious cellist Lauren sees this job as a creative reset before she returns to her true love----classical music. And for die-hard heavy metal drummer Maggie, this gig is a means to bigger ends. However, the rehearsals prove more than they bargained for with Nika's demands and critiques. On top of that, Jenni finds herself in danger of violating a tour rule: No romance on tour or you're fired. When a night out at a rock concert turns sour, it sets off a chain of events that sees the girls engaging in a musical showdown that ends up putting Nika's tour and career in danger. With a fast-paced plot and adorable and realistic characters, de Campi delivers an entertaining story that brings to life the wild and glamorous world of music while including positive messaging about honesty, self-acceptance, and friendship. The vibrant, colorful illustrations with a contemporary feel complement and skillfully enhance the storyline. This is particularly evident in panels depicting time jumps or concurrent events. Jenni is White, Lauren is Black, and Maggie is East Asian American in a cast filled with diverse characters. A fun tale of fierce friendship and daring musical feats elevated by fantastic artwork. (Graphic fiction. 13-18) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.