Power Chord. (Orca Currents). Ted Staunton. Victoria, BC: Orca, 2011. 113 pp., pbk. & hc., $9.95 (pbk.), $16.95 (hc.). ISBN 978-1-55469-903-2 (pbk.), ISBN 978-1-55469-904-9 (hc.). Grades 6-8 / Ages 11-13. Review by Yahong Chi. ** /4 Reviewed from Advance Reading Copy.

excerpt:

I put the guitar down and pick up the bass. It's heavy, and the balance is different. After the guitar, the neck is like a tree. The strings feel thick as snakes, vibrating through me when I pluck them. Cool.

I have to take the next step, even if I'm not in tune. I have to hear the sound, the real sound. It's time for power. I plug the patch cord into the amp and the bass. I flip the power switch. A red light pops on, and the amp starts to hum. I feel my whole body hum with it. I set the volume down low and try again. The sound vibrates right into my gut, like it's the center of the earth.

Ace has never been the most popular with the girls. So when his best friend Denny suggests starting a band to attract the opposite gender, Ace goes along with it. He never expected to enjoy playing the bass guitar so much... and he never expected Denny to come up with a song better than Ace's own songwriting efforts. As the local teen band contests draws near, Ace will have to decide what he wants more: girls and fame, or the real music.

     Staunton introduces an authentic voice in Ace, though the novel is too short to really get to know him. Drummer Pigpen is underdeveloped, and best friend Denny doesn't ever feel fully likeable. Thus, it's up to Ace to capture the reader's interest.

      Staunton introduces an authentic voice in Ace, though the novel is too short to really get to know him. Drummer Pigpen is underdeveloped, and best friend Denny doesn't ever feel fully likeable. Thus, it's up to Ace to capture the reader's interest.

      Though the plot isn't anything original, the quick pace, snappy dialogue and music terminology will appeal to reluctant readers.
     

Recommended.

Yahong Chi is a blogger (http://yahongchi.blogspot.com) and freelancer in Ottawa, ON.

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Published by The Manitoba Library Association ISSN 1201-9364

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