In the Band

Gr 9 Up—Riley has recently graduated from high school and her family has been shattered by divorce, leaving her to pick up the pieces. The teenager thinks that courses at a nearby college and caring for her sister are all she has to look forward to until she auditions for a band. The band members, including the guitarist, handsome Romeo, are blown away by her drumming talent. The tension between Riley and Romeo causes problems and spells disaster when it turns into attraction. Haus gives romance lovers plenty to swoon over in her novel (Skyscape, 2013), and her knowledge of music, specifically the drums, makes the story very believable. Kate Rudd's deep, throaty voice is perfect for hard-edged Riley. When the protagonist's feelings for Romeo develop, Rudd gives her a slightly higher, faster-paced speech to indicate just how hard she is falling. Her voicing of the male characters is also superb. Luke Daniels voices Riley's audition from Romeo's point of view. Teen romance and music fans will be hoping for a sequel.—Shari Fesko, Southfield Public Library, MI