Ryan, Tom. Totally Unrelated.

Ryan, Tom.  Totally Unrelated. (Orca Limelights)  Orca  2013      120p  $9.95  ISBN 978-1-4598-0458-6   ms/hs  Realistic fiction     VG-BN

With the Cape Brenton, Nova Scotia, music festival as a real-life backdrop, this novel about family love that allows for differences of opinion will resonate with young people who wish to take a divergent path from others in their family. Neil’s family, all nine of them, are regionally known as The McClintock Family, a Celtic music/dance troop.  Neil is the least enthusiastic member of the family troop, feeling that his musical talent is lacking when compared to the rest of his siblings.  His best friend writes music lyrics and convinces Neil to put down the melody for a song they can use to compete in a local talent show.  The song is pop/rock, which is the genre that Neil prefers to play.  With a girl singer, the trio practices often to hone their skills.  The McClintock Family’s scheduled big break, fronting for a nationally known singer, conflicts with Neil’s trio’s talent show.  How this conflict is resolved demonstrates the ability of a large family to adapt and provide loving support for all its members.  This book could easily qualify as Christian fiction and is a welcome relief from the angst and dysfunctional families often portrayed in young-adult fiction.  It is a feel-good novel that shows family love can allow for differences of opinion.     

Summary: Neil is ready to break out on his own as a rock musician and split from his family, which performs as a Celtic music/dance troop.  This is a hi/lo book that is upbeat with strong family values, while still allowing room for divergent family viewpoints. Grades 5-12.    

Guitar players-Fiction, Family-Fiction                            --Lois McNicol