Hertz, Kellen. Tenney in the Key of Friendship. (American Girl series).

Hertz, Kellen.  Tenney in the Key of Friendship. (American Girl series). Scholastic Press 2017  172p  $9.99 ISBN 978-1-338-11756-1  elem/ms  Realistic Fiction  E-BN

Tennyson Grant has always been called Tenney.  She sings and plays guitar with her family’s country music band.  She wants to become a singer/songwriter, but she is only twelve.  Her parents want to protect her from the heartaches and possible problems of a career in music.  Given the chance to sing lead at a local performance, Tenney discovers she really loves the limelight and her parents see how talented she is.  She gets the chance to audition for a record company, but blows it due to nerves.  Devastated, Tenney settles in to wait, when another opportunity comes as a surprise.
  

The characters are very believable, and conversations and situations ring true.  Tenney is like most young girls who love music and have dreams.  She has parents who both protect and encourage her.  She has been given good grounding.  The song she “writes” is explained in the afterword, and the real composers of it are introduced.  It also rings true for a young songwriter.  This is a great addition to the American Girl series.                 

Summary: New American girl Tenney desires a career as a singer/songwriter.  She is searching for her own voice and is only twelve.  Her big break comes but not quite as expected.  The author writes with an authentic voice and very realistic situations.  Grades 3-8.

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