Honeycomb

by Patricia McCowan

When Nat, her best friend Jess and singing-star wannabe Harper sing together, their harmonies bring down the house. For Nat, the experience sparks a driving new desire to perform. But when the girls form a trio and enter a contest for a chance to play at the Tall Grass Music Festival, Nat finds that harmony--musical and otherwise--is hard to maintain. Her bandmates almost never agree, her new boyfriend starts behaving more like a non-boyfriend, and the trio's famous-musician mentor doesn't even like the way Nat breathes. Every day, Nat's dream of performing at Tall Grass seems farther away, and she questions whether she has what it takes to get there.

Genres: Young Adult, Music

152 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2014

About the author

Born in Winnipeg, Canada, now lives in Toronto, Canada. Author of YA novel, HONEYCOMB (Orca Limelights) and stories in YA anthologies DARK TIMES (Ronsdale) and CLEAVAGE: BREAKAWAY FICTION FOR REAL GIRLS (Sumach).

Reviews

[Pat Bourke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honeycomb is for every teen who's ever dreamed of stepping outside the comfort zone and coming up with a new definition of self. Patricia McCowan gives us a realistic portrait of how hard that can be when locked into family patterns and longtime friendships. Nat's growing confidence in her music and in her relationships strikes just the right chord.

[Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nat Boychuk is a gifted singer although her family has never noticed since they live hockey day and night with her little brother. She has a passion and talent that won't let her give up her dreams...so at the March-break music camp, she tests and refines the gift she is meant to share with the world. There, she meets Harper, another singer who has the chutzpah to make it in the music world. So, Harper and Nat, along with Nat's best friend, Jess, guitar player extraordinaire, form Honeycomb with the intention of entering, trying out, and playing in the Tall Grass Music Festival which showcases young, new talent.

But, practices, lessons, and cooperation are not smooth, as Harper's ego and Jess's temper get in the way most of the time. It won't be until some childish ways are put aside that the group can really shine...can they make it happen though?

Honeycomb is a great glimpse into the music industry, with all its hopes, dreams, and defeats attached. Harmony must be achieved both on stage and off for the group to really shine...and mutual respect will be the means to the end. A great read for tweens and young adults who have an interest in musical performance, both those who may want to perform and those who appreciate musical talent in the audience.

Thanks to LibraryThing Early Reviewer, Patricia McCowan, Jen Cameron, and Orca Book Publishers for this ARC.

[MrsCarlson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute story. Nice for a quick read, the author gets straight to the point with the plot line, which is engaging. Feel good ending.

[Joyce · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this up at the public library for a few quarters--need to replenish the 'quick reads' section in the library--the Gr. 9s are racing through them! I liked this story well enough to read it in one sitting--it kept my interest, and I thought it was quite well written.

[Aggie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an ARC from LibraryThing for an honest review. Because the book hasn’t come out yet, this will be a no spiloar review.

Rating: 3.5/5

When Nat Boychuck, the gifted singer, Jess, her best friend; and Haper, another singer who wants to it make in the music industry. So, they enter to play at the Tall Grass Music Festival, but the bandmates almost never seem to agree about the music they want to play. Honeycomb is a glimpse of what musicians have to go through in hoping to make it big someday.

I had some trouble in what I was going to rate this book. I was going back and forward from 3 stars or 3.5 stars. I couldn’t decide because I did had some issues with the book. But I decide to stay with 3.5 because it did had a great opening, enough to have the reader interest into continue reading.

My main issue was the writing style. It was hard for me to follow, to be honest the voices of the characters were a bit annoying. I couldn’t relate to them at all. And for me is very important, otherwise it would be harder for the reader to follow up.

Though for the most part it did have a good plot story. Three girls forming a band does seem like fun to read.

[Sherri · Rating 3 out of 5]

When teens Nat, her best friend Jess, and Harper are matched up during the last week of music camp, they are surprised by how good they sound singing together. Nat is a newbie musician and lacks confidence singing around Harper, the arrogant, already-thinks-she’s-a-star singer, and Jess, whose other musical talents include playing the guitar.

When the trio decides to tryout for a big music festival, Nat learns that there’s more to harmonizing within a group than singing well together. Can Nat gain the confidence to break out of the chorus and take the lead or is she doomed to be a back-up singer?

Like other Orca novels, this Limelights novel will appeal most to reluctant readers, especially teens who enjoy singing and romance with their teenage drama. Each book in this series focuses on one performing art, such as music, theater or dance.

[Megan Weiss · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book might be okay for younger, more middle school aged readers. As a college-aged student it didn't really do much for me though. The story line moved way too fast for me. There didn't really seem to be that much depth to the story, not in the way i was expecting at least. And the characters just seemed a little two-dimensional to me, and a little shallow. I like books that make you think and question things, but this book is just a little too straight-forward, you know? Still, i think this author could have a really bright future ahead of her if she can find the right characters and story line.

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

An Orca limelights novel by debut author Patricia McCowan. Best friends Nat and Jess pair up with Harper at a music camp and discover that they make incredible music together. They decide to audition for a prestigious local festival, but their personalities clash. A serviceable hi-lo book about relationships and working together.

[Jessica (Odd and Bookish) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this book for free through LibraryThing's Early Reviewers.

This book was short and sweet, but it seemed a little too young for me. I also felt that it could have been longer (it's around 150 pages). Aside from those things, it wasn't a bad book.

[Lilian Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like this book because doesn't have to much drama in it, is inspirational and AWESOME! It speaks a lot about music and how their are always those little rocks and bumps that stop you from gong were you want to go and how you should just keep o moving past them

[Amanda · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cute story but I guess I prefer books with more to it.