Secret rules to being a rockstar A novel

Musician Violet's edgy debut spotlights art and queer identity through a teenage keyboardist's turbulent introduction to the 1990s Hollywood music scene. Whenever she feels overwhelmed by her mother's concerning PTSD-induced nightmares and flashbacks, 18-year-old Kyla Bell escapes via composing and performing music to take her "far away from reality." After a gig in her rural Massachusetts hometown nets an invitation to tour with her rock star idol, Ruby Sky, Kyla drops out of high school and moves to L.A. There, straight-shooting, middle-aged music producer Robert Jeffs facilitates her "rock star boot camp makeover," during which she's encouraged to diet and take up smoking in order to fit the mold. She soon flounders under pressure from Robert and "walking landmine" Ruby, with whom Kyla is falling in love. As fissures appear beneath her new associates' picture-perfect personae, Kyla fears her ticket to stardom might end up breaking her. Violet persuasively develops a vivid setting that epitomizes Kyla's dreams and aspirations, while also providing light fodder for discussion surrounding personal agency, and complexly rendered relationships ground this wish-fulfilling love letter to rock music and the whirlwind of fame. Characters read as white. Ages 14--up. Agent: Devon Halliday, Transatlantic Agency. (Apr.)

Eighteen-year-old Kyla moves to Los Angeles to pursue her dreams of rock stardom. Kyla, a White girl from Western Massachusetts, is discovered when a musician hears her playing piano in a local restaurant and asks her to open for his band, which is touring the area and needs a replacement for the original act that had to cancel. Ruby Sky, a Courtney Love--esque singer Kyla loves, sees her performance and asks Kyla to move to LA to join her band. However, Kyla needs rock-star bootcamp before she's ready. In a matter of days, she is immersed in the nonstop party life of 1990s LA. The nostalgia is on point without being heavy-handed, but the plot feels incomplete, so the magic wears off before long. Readers will spend the whole time waiting for the many Chekhov's guns to go off, but most never do. Eating disorders, drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, and predatory men simply provide the set dressing. There is a little more development given to Kyla's discovery of her sexuality; though it remains unlabeled, she does come to accept that she is attracted to women. For all the experiences Kyla goes through, from her barely believable, dream-come-true discovery to her decision to follow her love of music no matter what it brings, more is needed to take this book from a series of anecdotes to a robust story. An evocative '90s vignette without a strong plot to carry it. (Fiction. 14-18) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

The Ground Rule I fell in love with music like it was a person. From a very early age, I ate up anything a stereo speaker had to say and found something to appreciate in everything from pop hits to the most obscure genres and songs. The first thing I wanted to know about anyone I met was what kind of music they listened to, and the last thing I became hungry for before my life exploded was validation that the feeling was mutual--that music and I were in love with each other. Because I didn't just listen to music. While other kids my age flirted and fooled around with each other, I found my own version of making love: Fingering the chipped ivory keys of our ancient piano in the basement while my voice entwined with the notes. I covered every song I loved and fantasized about being a professional musician. I cranked out original material like I might just die otherwise. Then I turned 18 and decided to play before an audience to see if it was really meant to be. And while western Massachusetts wasn't exactly brimming with opportunities that matched my imagination's version of my onstage debut, it was my best and only option.  It was time to start the grind from the ground-up. Excerpted from Secret Rules to Being a Rockstar by Jessamyn Violet All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.