Sonnenblick, Jordan. Are You Experienced?

Sonnenblick, Jordan.  Are You Experienced?  Macmillan/Feiwel & Friends  2013  294p  $17.99  ISBN 978-1-250-02564-7  jr/sr  Fantasy  VG-BN   

After sneaking into his dad's office, Jimi Hendrix-obsessed guitarist Rich is transported back in time to Woodstock, where he has the opportunity to meet his father as a teenager, as well as his uncle who died before Rich was born.  During his three-day stay, in addition to the opportunity to hear his musical idols perform live, Rich is able to save his uncle's life, and thereby change his father's life for the better in the present.  Historians and music lovers of either gender will find this a joy to read, even if they are not specifically fans of the music played at Woodstock, because author Sonnenblick's thorough research brings delightful realism to the portrayal of Woodstock without lingering on or flinching away from the less pleasant aspects, like people in bare feet walking over glass or the general squalor of an outdoor festival after several days of habitation by thousands of people.  Rich's experiences with both mind-altering substances and the free-love movement are tastefully handled, and the ending is hopeful despite Rich's apparent failure in his self-assigned mission.  It is a satisfying read overall.  

Summary: After sneaking into his dad's office, Jimi Hendrix-obsessed guitarist Rich is transported back in time to Woodstock, where he has the opportunity to change the future and save a life.

America 1960s-Fiction, Rock music-Fiction, Family-Fiction, Time travel-Fiction     

--Bethany Geleskie

Willet, Edward Johnny Cash: The Man in Black

Willet, Edward Johnny Cash: The Man in Black
Enslow 2010 160p 31.93
978-0-7660-3386-3 jr/sr E-BN
American Rebels (Enslow)
The biography of country musician Johnny Cash. His music career spanned almost 50 years. A man who had much success but fought many demons and was able to overcome most of them through the determination and the love of a good woman. Born in 1932 the middle child of a large farmer’s family, Johnny Cash’s family struggled to survive living on a farm. At an early age church and music played a very important part in his life. The death of one of his older brothers when he was only 12 brought turmoil into life and created a break in his relationship with his father that would never fully heal.
During his air force tour he discovered he had a knack for writing music but he did not break into the field of music until after he came back to his home town. He started his group with friends who were like him, auto mechanics, and they were very good playing guitars and singing.
This biography presents a very real look at Johnny Cash’s life with all of it’s complexity. Much of his career life was spent under the influence of drugs and fighting the dependancy on drugs. His marriage to June Carter may have been the best thing that happened to him. He was able to clean up his act and redirect his life with Christian music as well as popular music. At his death he left a legacy of music. A man many new and few could forget.

Includes: Plenty of pictures, index, Internet Addresses, bibliography, Chapter notes, Glossary, Chronology, and Fact boxes. Diaz, Magna

Kelly, Tara Harmonic Feedback

Kelly, Tara Harmonic Feedback
Henry Holt/macmillan children's pub group 2010 280p 16.99
978-0-8050-9010-9 hs Realistic Fiction E-BN
When Drea and her mother move in with her grandmother, she finds that she can have real friends, in spite of her Asperger’s , and that having a boyfriend for the first time does not guarantee happiness. I was pleasantly surprised by the well-rounded characterizations Kelly created for this absorbing debut novel.

Drea is the new kid in town. Despite “a touch of Asperger’s” and ADHD, she finds herself welcomed by Naomi and Justin, who seem to genuinely like Drea. The three form a band that holds jam sessions after school. Justin becomes Drea’s first boyfriend. Naomi’s drug issues escalate to a crisis, and her friends must be deal with the aftermath of Naomi’s death.

Teens will identify with how Drea copes with being different and self-conscious. Common ground is established as everyone feels they are not part of the group at some point. It is easy for the reader to forget Drea’s Asperger’s/ADHD, since -- aside from being frank/blunt/rude -- she acts/thinks like a mainstream teenager. The focus is on friendship, acceptance, and coming-of-age. Naomi’s death is not sugar-coated.

Many references are made to a variety of contemporary (indie) bands (there’s a list of all the characters’ playlist on the Harmonic Feedback website). Teens may identify with the groups now, but it will eventually date this novel. Descriptions of Drea’s synesthetic reactions to music and color border on lyrical. However, despite the title, music is peripheral to the theme of accepting yourself for who you are.

Absorbing debut novel featuring well-rounded, believable characters. Welliver, Hilary