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VIP #1
VIP: I'm With the Band
Twelve-year-old Mackenzie "Mac" Lowell's dreams have come true. Thanks to her mom scoring the coolest job EVER, Mac is going from boy band fanatic to official tour member of her favorite group, Perfect Storm. Good thing she's brought along her journal so she can record every moment, every breath, and every one of lead singer Zander Welling's killer smiles in written detail and daydreamy doodles.But between a zillion tour stops and pranks gone wrong, Zander and his fellow band members, Heath Holland and Kyle Beyer, become more like brothers to Mac. When the boys' differences start to drive them apart, can Perfect Storm's biggest fan remind them why they'reperfect together? It'll be up to Mac--and her comic-book alter ego, Mac Attack--to keep the band together and on the road to stardom Chronicling her experiences on tour, Mac's journal springs to life with black-and-white illustrations and comic-book panels throughout its pages.
346 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 1, 2015
29 people are currently reading
546 people want to read
About the author
Jen Calonita
110 books3,652 followersHi Goodreads!
I'm Jen Calonita, a MG and YA author who loves what I do because it lets me connect with all of you (and no, I wasn't intending for that to rhyme!).
I've been writing ever since I can remember, but it was fourth grade when I put my "three wishes" for a genie down on paper. They were:
#1. Buy all the Cabbage Patch Kids in the world and give them away for free (because apparently that was how I rolled).
#2. I wanted a mansion, limo, lake house, pool and speed boat (still sounds quite nice).
#3. I wanted to be an author for young readers, which I am!
I love writing novels for teens (and for savvy grown ups who know that YA rocks at any age). My first series was "Secrets of My Hollywood Life" and it followed a teen star named Kaitlin Burke who struggled with the fame game. I have also written the stand-alone novels Sleepaway Girls, it's companion book, Summer State of Mind and the Belles series.
I've been writing middle grade too and am having so much fun with my series Fairy Tale Reform School! The fourth book in this series about a school run by former villains is called Tricked and will be out March 2018. Ever wonder what it would be like if your parents got a job with someone like Taylpr Swift? My other middle grade series, VIP, follows super fan Mackenzie Lowell as she tours with her favorite band, Perfect Storm.
I promise to give book updates here, and on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, or my website. I hope I hear from you!
xo
Jen
I'm Jen Calonita, a MG and YA author who loves what I do because it lets me connect with all of you (and no, I wasn't intending for that to rhyme!).
I've been writing ever since I can remember, but it was fourth grade when I put my "three wishes" for a genie down on paper. They were:
#1. Buy all the Cabbage Patch Kids in the world and give them away for free (because apparently that was how I rolled).
#2. I wanted a mansion, limo, lake house, pool and speed boat (still sounds quite nice).
#3. I wanted to be an author for young readers, which I am!
I love writing novels for teens (and for savvy grown ups who know that YA rocks at any age). My first series was "Secrets of My Hollywood Life" and it followed a teen star named Kaitlin Burke who struggled with the fame game. I have also written the stand-alone novels Sleepaway Girls, it's companion book, Summer State of Mind and the Belles series.
I've been writing middle grade too and am having so much fun with my series Fairy Tale Reform School! The fourth book in this series about a school run by former villains is called Tricked and will be out March 2018. Ever wonder what it would be like if your parents got a job with someone like Taylpr Swift? My other middle grade series, VIP, follows super fan Mackenzie Lowell as she tours with her favorite band, Perfect Storm.
I promise to give book updates here, and on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, or my website. I hope I hear from you!
xo
Jen
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
May 9, 2021
This honestly gets your dreams of going on tour with One Direction, 5SOS, The Jonas Brothers, The Vamps etc. way too high😂 This is a middle grade and I’m STILL obsessed with this series! It follows a girl Mac who gets to go on tour with her favorite boy band. And man is it just incredible! It was so much better than what I thought it would be the first time I read it. I have reread it so many times now it’s just truly amazing!
Reread number i-don’t-even-know-Bc-I’ve-reread-this-so-much.-Maybe-10-12:
I’m keeping my 5 star rating Bc OMG this book gives me the feels all over again!! Yes this is a middle grade contemporary. But this was my all time favorite duology in middle school and to this day I’m still obsessed just how people are with Percy Jackson. I’m emotionally attached ok? Anyways it’s a reread for The Hunger Games Readathon!! It’s all about Mac who is obsessed with boy band, Perfect Storm, from the beginning and gets the chance to see them on tour as an opening act when her mother, a former tour manager, surprises her with becoming Perfect Storms new tour manager. Meaning she gets to go on tour with her favorite boy band! It’s all about her turning from fan girl into a sister to the band members. It has all your dreams of becoming besties with your favorite artist, it has all the backstage drama, romances you wouldn’t expect, and just the cutest story😭 yeah idek why I’m explaining this.
Reread number i-don’t-even-know-Bc-I’ve-reread-this-so-much.-Maybe-10-12:
I’m keeping my 5 star rating Bc OMG this book gives me the feels all over again!! Yes this is a middle grade contemporary. But this was my all time favorite duology in middle school and to this day I’m still obsessed just how people are with Percy Jackson. I’m emotionally attached ok? Anyways it’s a reread for The Hunger Games Readathon!! It’s all about Mac who is obsessed with boy band, Perfect Storm, from the beginning and gets the chance to see them on tour as an opening act when her mother, a former tour manager, surprises her with becoming Perfect Storms new tour manager. Meaning she gets to go on tour with her favorite boy band! It’s all about her turning from fan girl into a sister to the band members. It has all your dreams of becoming besties with your favorite artist, it has all the backstage drama, romances you wouldn’t expect, and just the cutest story😭 yeah idek why I’m explaining this.
November 14, 2016
Have you ever been absolutely in love with a boy band? And then you discover you get to meet them because your mom is their new manager?! Not only that, you get to go on a road tour with them!?
Well, that is exactly what happens to Mac in I'm With the Band. As far as she is concerned she is Perfect Storms #1 fan. Of course, drama happens and it is up to Mac to save the day!
Oh my goodness people, this book is so much fun! I am well over the intended age range for this book (it is a middle grade novel), but I still found myself enjoying it and totally pulled into it. Sometimes I even felt like I might be a 12 year old!
And when a book can totally make you forget your own age, that is when you know it is good!
Obviously with saying all of that, I thought that the characters were well done. I felt like I was reading a 12 year old. I could tell Mac was in love with the boy band and it reminded me very much of real 12 year olds in the same situation. I'm pretty sure if you have a 12 year or so old in your life that is love with a boy band that they will not have any sort of problem relating to Mac.
Also, Mac is not all about being in love with the band. She also has a very creative artsy side. This is actually shown in quite a fun way too! The story is told from Mac's perspective as she writes about the events in her journal/diary. So her art work is doodled along the edges and also she has a comic that she writes that is pretty much her alter ego that gets shown and referred to a lot in the story. It really is quite fun and really adds to the story.
Definitely a great and super fun read! Perfect for 12ish year olds or for those who want to forget their actual age!
This review is based on a copy provided by the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Find more of my reviews here:
http://readingwithcupcakes.blogspot.com/
Well, that is exactly what happens to Mac in I'm With the Band. As far as she is concerned she is Perfect Storms #1 fan. Of course, drama happens and it is up to Mac to save the day!
Oh my goodness people, this book is so much fun! I am well over the intended age range for this book (it is a middle grade novel), but I still found myself enjoying it and totally pulled into it. Sometimes I even felt like I might be a 12 year old!
And when a book can totally make you forget your own age, that is when you know it is good!
Obviously with saying all of that, I thought that the characters were well done. I felt like I was reading a 12 year old. I could tell Mac was in love with the boy band and it reminded me very much of real 12 year olds in the same situation. I'm pretty sure if you have a 12 year or so old in your life that is love with a boy band that they will not have any sort of problem relating to Mac.
Also, Mac is not all about being in love with the band. She also has a very creative artsy side. This is actually shown in quite a fun way too! The story is told from Mac's perspective as she writes about the events in her journal/diary. So her art work is doodled along the edges and also she has a comic that she writes that is pretty much her alter ego that gets shown and referred to a lot in the story. It really is quite fun and really adds to the story.
Definitely a great and super fun read! Perfect for 12ish year olds or for those who want to forget their actual age!
This review is based on a copy provided by the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Find more of my reviews here:
http://readingwithcupcakes.blogspot.com/
January 5, 2016
Who can resist boy bands?
Certainly not Mac who has been a huge fan of Perfect Storm (PS) before they were a hit. Mac knows everything about them -- from eating habits to favorite colors -- and dreams of going to her Spring Fling dance with the lead singer, Zander. But when a sudden turn of events causes Mac's mom to get hired as PS' tour manager, Mac will not only get to daydream about the band, she will spend the next two months with them 24/7. Will this personal encounter change her image of them? What if Zander is not so dreamy as she pictured in her head?
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Although, I did find it a little lengthy for Middle-Graders at first, I soon began to see various drawings, blank pages to separate chapters, and graphic novel entries (Mac's alter ego), encouraging me to quickly changed my mind. Mac was heartfelt and quirky/clumsy making it easy to get attached to her character. She also acted like a mature twelve-year-old. Aside from the romance, the author added Lola, a rich spoiled fifteen-year-old ready to challenge Mac's favorite fan status.
All in all a fun read with an open ending. Do I sense a series?
Certainly not Mac who has been a huge fan of Perfect Storm (PS) before they were a hit. Mac knows everything about them -- from eating habits to favorite colors -- and dreams of going to her Spring Fling dance with the lead singer, Zander. But when a sudden turn of events causes Mac's mom to get hired as PS' tour manager, Mac will not only get to daydream about the band, she will spend the next two months with them 24/7. Will this personal encounter change her image of them? What if Zander is not so dreamy as she pictured in her head?
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Although, I did find it a little lengthy for Middle-Graders at first, I soon began to see various drawings, blank pages to separate chapters, and graphic novel entries (Mac's alter ego), encouraging me to quickly changed my mind. Mac was heartfelt and quirky/clumsy making it easy to get attached to her character. She also acted like a mature twelve-year-old. Aside from the romance, the author added Lola, a rich spoiled fifteen-year-old ready to challenge Mac's favorite fan status.
All in all a fun read with an open ending. Do I sense a series?
December 1, 2015
I don't know why the "I'm with X famous people" stories feel like a throwback these days, given that they still have a lot of life in sports books for kids, but I'm With the Band, the first entry in a new middle grade series, does both feel modern while also feeling like a throwback. It follows the tale of a girl, Mac, and how she is a major fan of a pop band that is touring. Her mother is hired on as the tour manager, and suddenly everyone is going on tour with the band. Mac gets to know the band, lessons are learned about perception and reality, and we see some real growth in the characters on a whole.
This had a lot of potential to be a sort of Dork Diaries/Wimpy Kid knockoff without much else going for it, and it ended up being a good deal more than that. A very enjoyable little read on a whole. Closer to a 3.5.
This had a lot of potential to be a sort of Dork Diaries/Wimpy Kid knockoff without much else going for it, and it ended up being a good deal more than that. A very enjoyable little read on a whole. Closer to a 3.5.
March 2, 2017
5+ stars! SQUUEEEEE!!! Um, oops, sorry, but this book is just too adorbs, and I loved each and every bit of it!!!
Before I start with all the good stuff, I want to mention that the blurb is pretty much lying. She doesn't really see the guys as her brothers, her love interest is just moving to another boy, because she finds out Zander isn't what she thought he was, and she finds that, and more, in another member.
Secondly, that part about the band breaking up? Over an argument? Mac having to save them? Try page 280, which is practically the end of the book considering the book stops at around page 320/330. :|
Such a shame. I am still happy I read the book, but yeah, my expectations were slightly different thanks to the blurb.
Now to the good stuff, because there is a lot of good.
First up Mac, or Mackenzie. She is a supersweet, cute, cool 12-year old girl who loves Perfect Storm and gets the chance of her lifetime when her mom (who works with bands/artists) becomes the tour manager of Mac's fav band. I loved how Mac was first totally fangirling, but later on started to get more comfortable with the band, and with everything that involves them. She could talk more normally to them, and they to her. It was a relief to see her change. I was a bit worried that she might be stuck in fangirl mode the whole tour. Not that such a thing would be that bad, but I was definitely looking forward to her interacting with the guys, and not just stammer and shake a can of energy drink and spray it all over her favourite guy (and yes, this happened).
I loved how creative she was, and it was great fun seeing her drawings pop up all over the place. My favourite would definitely be her comics. Yes, there are comics spread throughout the book, not a lot, but I didn't mind, each time I saw one I was squealing in delight.
Her shift from one boy to the other was all right with me, it wasn't an immediate switch, no, it was gradually done, and I was squeeing and cheering for these two. They make a cute couple, and I hope they will get together in the next book. Though I guess Mac's mom wouldn't be happy with it, but oh well, all for the greater good of shipping these two together.
It was fun to see how well she and Jilly matched. I was worried at first that they might not go together, but from the start I knew this would be a true friendship, just like Mac had with her other friends Scarlet and Iris.
I was cheering for Mac during the Lola parts. My word, Lola was annoying. Luckily Mac isn't one to just stand there and let it happen, she really stood up for herself. Go girl! Yay!
It was definitely fun to see Mac also loving comics, and also fangirling about them. :)
The author definitely did a great job at writing Mac. I could definitely believe this girl was 12. This may sound weird, but I have read enough books that had a character as x age but it never felt like they were that age. But not with Mac, oh no, she gave off 12-year old vibes. I am not sure how to explain it correctly, but she felt like how I was when I was 12.
I could go on and on about Mac, but I think I got most of the important parts mentioned.
Now for the boyband.
I just couldn't see what everyone was liking about Zander. He was cute, and he was nice, but he was also a player, and wanted all the attention. Sure, we do see some sweet moments, but at times I really just wanted to smack him on his head for being such a prick. Like when he invited Mac for a pool date, and just invited the entire fanbase, and didn't even make the food he promised he would make. That is just one example, but I have a few others. I can imagine why Mac may have changed her feelings from that boy to another one. Every girl loves him, but they don't know him. Not really, and Mac is really getting closer with him.
And again, he is a sweet guy, but I can't see him go with just one girl in the future.
Heath, my favourite of the whole bunch, I loved how energetic, fun, happy he was. His fake tattoos were cute, I do wonder if, when he is old enough, he will be taking real tattoos, or if he will just keep his sleeves.
I loved how sweet he was with his siblings, and the whipped cream fight was just absolute brilliance.
Kyle, ah, Kyle. My second favourite of the band, well as soon as he started opening up a bit. Then I could see that he wasn't that cold, but instead was a sweet guy with a love for comics. Out of the guys he was also the sweetest with Mac. He really helped her out some times.
I am sure you want to know who Mac picked. Hehehe, I won't tell you that. Oh no, you will just have to read the book yourself, my lips are sealed. The only thing I will tell you that I was already hoping she would pick that guy. He was a much better match.
Then we have Jilly, Iris, Scarlet. Mac's three friends, and I loved all three of them. Iris and Scarlet were exactly like Mac with their fangirling, and it was adorable when they visited in a later part of the book. I already missed these girls, so it was fun to see them go completely bonkers about the band (just like Mac had in the beginning).
Jilly, the only one who doesn't really care about the band (or at least not in a fangirl way). I immediately took a liking to her, and she stayed a sweet, supporting girl the entire book.
Mac's mom was also really cool, I loved how caring she was, but how she was also strict when it was needed. She was always there for Mac, well, whenever she had a moment in between her busy schedule. She never neglected Mac, she always made sure to make some time for Mac if needed, and she always made sure to do something fun with Mac during her moments off.
Of course at times she was a bit too strict for me, then again, it doesn't help if Mac is protecting people instead of just being honest about stuff. I still wish Mac would just have been honest at the end of the book about certain events.
The tour, the trips through the country, it was so much fun to read. I loved seeing the sights that our guys and Mac and Jilly saw. It was fun to see Mac learn all sorts of things about touring, and how she got more and more experienced with how to handle a band and how to do stuff.
The concerts and the meet-greets were also a delight to read. It was fun to see how craycray the fans at times were, and I loved to see how the boys handled that. They did a tremendous job at being sweet and caring.
We also see the band practises songs, finding a new song, and I was happy we were able to see that process as well. How they also wanted feedback from others, and how Mac really helped out due to a certain thing she mentioned.
The illustrations were top-notch, and I loved them all. I was already hoping the book would be filled with them, but I never expected so many and also comics! The style of the drawings was perfect, and I actually found out the illustrator also made Henchgirl, a book that I got pre-ordered. :P I was already wondering why the artstyle was so similar.
Phew, I think I have everything I wanted to write. This book was 100% adorbs! It is a book that will make you laugh, will make you squee. You will be going on tour with one of the cutest newest bands in the book universe: Perfect Storm. Be sure to read this one! I would highly recommend it!
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
Before I start with all the good stuff, I want to mention that the blurb is pretty much lying. She doesn't really see the guys as her brothers, her love interest is just moving to another boy, because she finds out Zander isn't what she thought he was, and she finds that, and more, in another member.
Secondly, that part about the band breaking up? Over an argument? Mac having to save them? Try page 280, which is practically the end of the book considering the book stops at around page 320/330. :|
Such a shame. I am still happy I read the book, but yeah, my expectations were slightly different thanks to the blurb.
Now to the good stuff, because there is a lot of good.
First up Mac, or Mackenzie. She is a supersweet, cute, cool 12-year old girl who loves Perfect Storm and gets the chance of her lifetime when her mom (who works with bands/artists) becomes the tour manager of Mac's fav band. I loved how Mac was first totally fangirling, but later on started to get more comfortable with the band, and with everything that involves them. She could talk more normally to them, and they to her. It was a relief to see her change. I was a bit worried that she might be stuck in fangirl mode the whole tour. Not that such a thing would be that bad, but I was definitely looking forward to her interacting with the guys, and not just stammer and shake a can of energy drink and spray it all over her favourite guy (and yes, this happened).
I loved how creative she was, and it was great fun seeing her drawings pop up all over the place. My favourite would definitely be her comics. Yes, there are comics spread throughout the book, not a lot, but I didn't mind, each time I saw one I was squealing in delight.
Her shift from one boy to the other was all right with me, it wasn't an immediate switch, no, it was gradually done, and I was squeeing and cheering for these two. They make a cute couple, and I hope they will get together in the next book. Though I guess Mac's mom wouldn't be happy with it, but oh well, all for the greater good of shipping these two together.
It was fun to see how well she and Jilly matched. I was worried at first that they might not go together, but from the start I knew this would be a true friendship, just like Mac had with her other friends Scarlet and Iris.
I was cheering for Mac during the Lola parts. My word, Lola was annoying. Luckily Mac isn't one to just stand there and let it happen, she really stood up for herself. Go girl! Yay!
It was definitely fun to see Mac also loving comics, and also fangirling about them. :)
The author definitely did a great job at writing Mac. I could definitely believe this girl was 12. This may sound weird, but I have read enough books that had a character as x age but it never felt like they were that age. But not with Mac, oh no, she gave off 12-year old vibes. I am not sure how to explain it correctly, but she felt like how I was when I was 12.
I could go on and on about Mac, but I think I got most of the important parts mentioned.
Now for the boyband.
I just couldn't see what everyone was liking about Zander. He was cute, and he was nice, but he was also a player, and wanted all the attention. Sure, we do see some sweet moments, but at times I really just wanted to smack him on his head for being such a prick. Like when he invited Mac for a pool date, and just invited the entire fanbase, and didn't even make the food he promised he would make. That is just one example, but I have a few others. I can imagine why Mac may have changed her feelings from that boy to another one. Every girl loves him, but they don't know him. Not really, and Mac is really getting closer with him.
And again, he is a sweet guy, but I can't see him go with just one girl in the future.
Heath, my favourite of the whole bunch, I loved how energetic, fun, happy he was. His fake tattoos were cute, I do wonder if, when he is old enough, he will be taking real tattoos, or if he will just keep his sleeves.
I loved how sweet he was with his siblings, and the whipped cream fight was just absolute brilliance.
Kyle, ah, Kyle. My second favourite of the band, well as soon as he started opening up a bit. Then I could see that he wasn't that cold, but instead was a sweet guy with a love for comics. Out of the guys he was also the sweetest with Mac. He really helped her out some times.
I am sure you want to know who Mac picked. Hehehe, I won't tell you that. Oh no, you will just have to read the book yourself, my lips are sealed. The only thing I will tell you that I was already hoping she would pick that guy. He was a much better match.
Then we have Jilly, Iris, Scarlet. Mac's three friends, and I loved all three of them. Iris and Scarlet were exactly like Mac with their fangirling, and it was adorable when they visited in a later part of the book. I already missed these girls, so it was fun to see them go completely bonkers about the band (just like Mac had in the beginning).
Jilly, the only one who doesn't really care about the band (or at least not in a fangirl way). I immediately took a liking to her, and she stayed a sweet, supporting girl the entire book.
Mac's mom was also really cool, I loved how caring she was, but how she was also strict when it was needed. She was always there for Mac, well, whenever she had a moment in between her busy schedule. She never neglected Mac, she always made sure to make some time for Mac if needed, and she always made sure to do something fun with Mac during her moments off.
Of course at times she was a bit too strict for me, then again, it doesn't help if Mac is protecting people instead of just being honest about stuff. I still wish Mac would just have been honest at the end of the book about certain events.
The tour, the trips through the country, it was so much fun to read. I loved seeing the sights that our guys and Mac and Jilly saw. It was fun to see Mac learn all sorts of things about touring, and how she got more and more experienced with how to handle a band and how to do stuff.
The concerts and the meet-greets were also a delight to read. It was fun to see how craycray the fans at times were, and I loved to see how the boys handled that. They did a tremendous job at being sweet and caring.
We also see the band practises songs, finding a new song, and I was happy we were able to see that process as well. How they also wanted feedback from others, and how Mac really helped out due to a certain thing she mentioned.
The illustrations were top-notch, and I loved them all. I was already hoping the book would be filled with them, but I never expected so many and also comics! The style of the drawings was perfect, and I actually found out the illustrator also made Henchgirl, a book that I got pre-ordered. :P I was already wondering why the artstyle was so similar.
Phew, I think I have everything I wanted to write. This book was 100% adorbs! It is a book that will make you laugh, will make you squee. You will be going on tour with one of the cutest newest bands in the book universe: Perfect Storm. Be sure to read this one! I would highly recommend it!
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
July 19, 2016
This review can also be found on A Thousand Lives Lived, check it out for more!
My sister is obsessed with this series, guys. My sister is not a reader whatsoever unless my mom tells her to read, so her adoring VIP: I'm With the Band was something new and interesting for me because I am the reader in the house. Who would have known that she would get an obsession with Perfect Storm, a fictional band that features three cute guys who are around my current age, fifteen (almost sixteen!) and who keep getting into trouble. I seriously adored reading this first book of this series, and as I am writing this review, I am gearing up for reading the sequel. I am so excited to head back into the world (a few hours later after completing this) of Mac, Zander, Kyle, Heath and Jilly, characters who I now love for their different, fun personalities and how they seriously made this book comedic.
VIP: I'm With the Band is exactly what you think it is, and perhaps a little more than what we all would presume, too. Jen Calonita, a frequently read author of mine, especially when I headed through my tween-cool-middle-grade phases when I was twelve, created a fangirl protagonist named Mac, or Mackenzie, who is the biggest fan of boy band Perfect Storm. Her and her two best friends, Iris and Scarlet, spend the beginning of the book trying to score tickets for Perfect Storm's show in Long Island the next day. They don't succeed, but Mac's mom surprises the three with tickets that she retrieved secretly. Mac fangirls, meets the guys, and has the best time of her life at the concert. The next day, her life changes once more when she discovers that her mom will be Perfect Storm's manager, and that she and Mac are going on tour with the band.
I WOULD'VE FANGIRLED TOO. This book, as a whole, just made me feel happy. Mac was a happy heroine who just fangirled wherever she went and made the best of the situation. VIP is written through the perspective of Mac, obviously, but in a journal format which makes things even more fun for the younger audience. The illustrator, Kristen Gudsnuk, also did a fabulous job at showcasing her image of Mac and the gang. This is honestly such a cute book as a whole.
After I finished reading, I told my sister that I will be rating this four stars out of five. She freaked out. "Why? I'm not talking to you anymore," she said. I'm not twelve, I cannot relate to this book a hundred percent. Back in my day, three years ago, I wasn't obsessed with any boy band. One Direction came a year later, but not at twelve. This was such a cute read, don't get me wrong, but it's completely unrealistic, because seriously, who in the world of entertainment (like Mac's mom) will get the chance to do what she does. IT'S RARE. And bringing her twelve-year-old daughter with her? That's extremely rare. I just inwardly wish that Jen could have focused a touch bit on realistic issues that are hinted at in the novel. For example, where is Mac's father? We all know that Mac's mother is single, because no man is ever mentioned and they wouldn't leave a father at home to go on the road, and that seemed important to me, since Mac is still young.
I loved Mac as a protagonist. She had this carefree attitude, and I loved how she was striving to be mature around enemies like Lola. (I HATED THAT GIRL) Back to the unrealistic thing, the "romance" is completely unrealistic, as well. It is noted a few times that Zander, Mac's initial crush out of the three members in Perfect Storm, is fifteen years old. I'm fifteen, and I would never romantically pay attention to a seventh grader. I'm turning sixteen next month, so that's a different example. Okay, picture this: a ninth grader crushing on a seventh grader. Although you may not see it at first, it kind of happens.
I like middle-grade to be realistic, knowing who the audience is. The story is fluffy, cute, and definitely entertaining where tween girls can learn about show biz (because it seems that Jen has experience with this after interviewing people), but there's the part where you know that girls won't learn anything from this: it's practically impossible to occur. Anyway.
KYLE IS ADORABLE. HEATH IS ADORABLE. ZANDER IS... MEH. I loved Perfect Storm's attitude as a whole, but I loved Kyle and Heath the most. Zander is your ordinary, snobby member who is in it completely for the fame. We see how he wants the spotlight and all of the solos. *rolls eyes* I just cannot picture how a romance (or fling) could stem out of this series. I wonder what the next book will provide us with.
VIP: I'm With the Band would seriously be loved by any tweenage (haha that word) girl who loves contemporary and funny books. I am so excited to read the sequel (RIGHT NOW) and see how Calonita's writing continues and how the series unfolds. Will the romance happen? Will Kyle keep being my crush? I hope so for the latter.
*A review copy was provided by the publisher in exchange for a honest review. Thank you so much!*
My sister is obsessed with this series, guys. My sister is not a reader whatsoever unless my mom tells her to read, so her adoring VIP: I'm With the Band was something new and interesting for me because I am the reader in the house. Who would have known that she would get an obsession with Perfect Storm, a fictional band that features three cute guys who are around my current age, fifteen (almost sixteen!) and who keep getting into trouble. I seriously adored reading this first book of this series, and as I am writing this review, I am gearing up for reading the sequel. I am so excited to head back into the world (a few hours later after completing this) of Mac, Zander, Kyle, Heath and Jilly, characters who I now love for their different, fun personalities and how they seriously made this book comedic.
VIP: I'm With the Band is exactly what you think it is, and perhaps a little more than what we all would presume, too. Jen Calonita, a frequently read author of mine, especially when I headed through my tween-cool-middle-grade phases when I was twelve, created a fangirl protagonist named Mac, or Mackenzie, who is the biggest fan of boy band Perfect Storm. Her and her two best friends, Iris and Scarlet, spend the beginning of the book trying to score tickets for Perfect Storm's show in Long Island the next day. They don't succeed, but Mac's mom surprises the three with tickets that she retrieved secretly. Mac fangirls, meets the guys, and has the best time of her life at the concert. The next day, her life changes once more when she discovers that her mom will be Perfect Storm's manager, and that she and Mac are going on tour with the band.
I WOULD'VE FANGIRLED TOO. This book, as a whole, just made me feel happy. Mac was a happy heroine who just fangirled wherever she went and made the best of the situation. VIP is written through the perspective of Mac, obviously, but in a journal format which makes things even more fun for the younger audience. The illustrator, Kristen Gudsnuk, also did a fabulous job at showcasing her image of Mac and the gang. This is honestly such a cute book as a whole.
"Melting! THEN ZANDER WELLING HELPED ME UP AND LED ME THROUGH THE CROWD TO THE MEET-AND-GREET DESK! Puddle on the floor!" (37)
After I finished reading, I told my sister that I will be rating this four stars out of five. She freaked out. "Why? I'm not talking to you anymore," she said. I'm not twelve, I cannot relate to this book a hundred percent. Back in my day, three years ago, I wasn't obsessed with any boy band. One Direction came a year later, but not at twelve. This was such a cute read, don't get me wrong, but it's completely unrealistic, because seriously, who in the world of entertainment (like Mac's mom) will get the chance to do what she does. IT'S RARE. And bringing her twelve-year-old daughter with her? That's extremely rare. I just inwardly wish that Jen could have focused a touch bit on realistic issues that are hinted at in the novel. For example, where is Mac's father? We all know that Mac's mother is single, because no man is ever mentioned and they wouldn't leave a father at home to go on the road, and that seemed important to me, since Mac is still young.
I loved Mac as a protagonist. She had this carefree attitude, and I loved how she was striving to be mature around enemies like Lola. (I HATED THAT GIRL) Back to the unrealistic thing, the "romance" is completely unrealistic, as well. It is noted a few times that Zander, Mac's initial crush out of the three members in Perfect Storm, is fifteen years old. I'm fifteen, and I would never romantically pay attention to a seventh grader. I'm turning sixteen next month, so that's a different example. Okay, picture this: a ninth grader crushing on a seventh grader. Although you may not see it at first, it kind of happens.
I like middle-grade to be realistic, knowing who the audience is. The story is fluffy, cute, and definitely entertaining where tween girls can learn about show biz (because it seems that Jen has experience with this after interviewing people), but there's the part where you know that girls won't learn anything from this: it's practically impossible to occur. Anyway.
KYLE IS ADORABLE. HEATH IS ADORABLE. ZANDER IS... MEH. I loved Perfect Storm's attitude as a whole, but I loved Kyle and Heath the most. Zander is your ordinary, snobby member who is in it completely for the fame. We see how he wants the spotlight and all of the solos. *rolls eyes* I just cannot picture how a romance (or fling) could stem out of this series. I wonder what the next book will provide us with.
"Seconds later Heath joined in. Zander was the only one without an instrument. I guess he doesn't need to play one when he has the voice of an angel. When Zander started to sing, I closed my eyes and listened without really trying to hear the words. It was always hard to catch them all on the first listen of a song, but I got the gist pretty quickly" (188).
VIP: I'm With the Band would seriously be loved by any tweenage (haha that word) girl who loves contemporary and funny books. I am so excited to read the sequel (RIGHT NOW) and see how Calonita's writing continues and how the series unfolds. Will the romance happen? Will Kyle keep being my crush? I hope so for the latter.
*A review copy was provided by the publisher in exchange for a honest review. Thank you so much!*
January 20, 2016
As an unashamed lover of boy bands, this book was a super fun read. I grew up with posters of BSB and Hanson on my walls, and I have all of the One Direction and 5 Seconds of Summer albums on my iPod. So, really, it wasn't a surprise to me that I enjoyed this book.
read the rest of my review on my blog! http://libtastic.wordpress.com
read the rest of my review on my blog! http://libtastic.wordpress.com
December 4, 2015
A very fun (albeit predictable) book that I know my students will love. I will also be making a lot of adults read it because of reasons.
July 28, 2023
I grabbed this book at the library as sort of light "research", because I'm a young author working on a story about a boyband myself. As a late teen, I was intrigued by the look of it, but I thought I was probably above the target audience and didn't have high expectations.
My expectations were way exceeded! I absolutely loved this book, and I can't wait to read the sequel!
With the heartwarming feel of books like Smile (Raina Telgemeier) and the Ramona Quimby series (Beverly Cleary), this book got me into the head and heart of Mackenzie, twelve-year-old comic-creator and mega fan of Perfect Storm. Since I was in Mack's world, the hype I felt for the band was real! When band member Zander comes to help her up and kiss her hand, I couldn't believe how excited I was. When I knew potential embarrassment was around the corner, I felt Mack's pain.
I love the humor in this book as well. Jen Calonita had all sorts of clever, memorable descriptions that made me laugh out loud, like (paraphrased) "my mom waved me over like she was single-handedly landing an airplane".
Some of the plot was kind of predictable, but it had surprises as well. This book has lovable characters, an immersive story, super-fun illustrations (including pages from Mack's comic), and lots of laughs!
I hope someday for a book three!
My expectations were way exceeded! I absolutely loved this book, and I can't wait to read the sequel!
With the heartwarming feel of books like Smile (Raina Telgemeier) and the Ramona Quimby series (Beverly Cleary), this book got me into the head and heart of Mackenzie, twelve-year-old comic-creator and mega fan of Perfect Storm. Since I was in Mack's world, the hype I felt for the band was real! When band member Zander comes to help her up and kiss her hand, I couldn't believe how excited I was. When I knew potential embarrassment was around the corner, I felt Mack's pain.
I love the humor in this book as well. Jen Calonita had all sorts of clever, memorable descriptions that made me laugh out loud, like (paraphrased) "my mom waved me over like she was single-handedly landing an airplane".
Some of the plot was kind of predictable, but it had surprises as well. This book has lovable characters, an immersive story, super-fun illustrations (including pages from Mack's comic), and lots of laughs!
I hope someday for a book three!
February 20, 2019
I loved this book!
Now, I must say this book is definitely for middle-grade readers, which is typically too young for my personal taste. However, the premise 'fan-girl tours with her favorite band' struck a cord in my long-forgotten pre-teen/teenage heart.
Nostalgia? Yes, please!
I had a blast reliving memories of being a teenager and the summer I fell head-over-heels in love with the band members of *NSYNC. I can still remember wasting hours away daydreaming about going on tour with them and riding on their tour bus going from gig to gig, wowing the crowds and the guys with my super awesome singing skills (haha!) and making them fall madly in love with me. *sigh*
I am totally biased, but I really enjoyed the story as well — even though there are ridiculously cheesy moments. I loved that the main character was a great artist with a fantasy similar to my own when I was younger (she wanted to create their album cover art and have them fall in love with her too!) and the main character was even creating this cool comic about her secret hero identity with her friends.
It is such a fun and cute story, especially for any tween or teen fangirls. (Even if you haven't been a tween or a teen in ages!)
I will absolutely be picking up the next book in the series!
Now, I must say this book is definitely for middle-grade readers, which is typically too young for my personal taste. However, the premise 'fan-girl tours with her favorite band' struck a cord in my long-forgotten pre-teen/teenage heart.
Nostalgia? Yes, please!
I had a blast reliving memories of being a teenager and the summer I fell head-over-heels in love with the band members of *NSYNC. I can still remember wasting hours away daydreaming about going on tour with them and riding on their tour bus going from gig to gig, wowing the crowds and the guys with my super awesome singing skills (haha!) and making them fall madly in love with me. *sigh*
I am totally biased, but I really enjoyed the story as well — even though there are ridiculously cheesy moments. I loved that the main character was a great artist with a fantasy similar to my own when I was younger (she wanted to create their album cover art and have them fall in love with her too!) and the main character was even creating this cool comic about her secret hero identity with her friends.
It is such a fun and cute story, especially for any tween or teen fangirls. (Even if you haven't been a tween or a teen in ages!)
I will absolutely be picking up the next book in the series!
September 29, 2017
Twelve-year-old Mackenzie Lowell goes on the road with her favorite boy band when her mom gets a job as the band’s tour manager.
This is such a fun series for any pre-teen or boy-band-loving girl! Mackenzie and her friends are obsessed with Perfect Storm, a group of three boys who sing catchy love songs and who are adorned by girls everywhere.
For anyone who loves boybands, this will be a treat and will be familiar for what comes along with the territory of adoring a group of singers. Mackenzie and her friends perfectly show and feel what it’s like to adore your favorite music group. This allows for such funny and exciting dialogue.
The element that makes this series extra fun and exciting is how Mackenzie’s mom works in the music industry. This makes so many scenarios possible for the girls and their involvement with their favorite group.
Author Jen Calonita got the idea to write these books from being a New Kids on the Block fan. You can definitely tell she uses her boyband loving experience in her books. Readers will end up choosing who will be their favorite member of Perfect Storm.
This is such a fun series for any pre-teen or boy-band-loving girl! Mackenzie and her friends are obsessed with Perfect Storm, a group of three boys who sing catchy love songs and who are adorned by girls everywhere.
For anyone who loves boybands, this will be a treat and will be familiar for what comes along with the territory of adoring a group of singers. Mackenzie and her friends perfectly show and feel what it’s like to adore your favorite music group. This allows for such funny and exciting dialogue.
The element that makes this series extra fun and exciting is how Mackenzie’s mom works in the music industry. This makes so many scenarios possible for the girls and their involvement with their favorite group.
Author Jen Calonita got the idea to write these books from being a New Kids on the Block fan. You can definitely tell she uses her boyband loving experience in her books. Readers will end up choosing who will be their favorite member of Perfect Storm.
January 8, 2018
**See reading timeline** I was right! Now..who owes me 30 bucks???? Huh. Oh well. AAAAANYwho, this read was GREAT. I mean, like, LEGIT THE BOMB. I loved it, and while I can't relate to Mac because I've never crushed on a band, I (almost) always find a way to disappear into a book. I couldn't put it down!!!!! WITH FIVE EXCLAMATION MARKS!!!!BOOM!!! REFERENCE POINT ACHIEVED.
**Mic Drop.
**Leaves room.
WHOO!!!!!!THAT FELT GOOD.
**Mic Drop.
**Leaves room.
WHOO!!!!!!THAT FELT GOOD.
November 11, 2017
This is a really good book, and I read it in 2 days. Haha, its romantic but not too intense. Its cute and I know a lot of people who can relate to it. I gave it 3 stars because I feel like there were some scenes that were a bit unnecessary and irrelevant to the story. BUT KYLE AND MAC ARE THE CUTEST LMAO
June 15, 2019
Bought this book to put in my elementary school library. Thought I would read it first. What a great story for my students to read. Who hasn't been on love with a boy band at one time in their life and dreamed of going on your with them. It was a funny, energetic and wholesome story! Can't wait to add it to the library!!
October 16, 2019
I really recommend this book before you read Battle of the Band. This book is about Mac's favorite boy band. Her mom had been a manager of Perfect Storm(Mac's favorite boy band). Mac and PS traveled and did a concert. Mac really enjoyed it. PS was about to broke up the band, but Mac fixed it! It 's a really fun book, so I recommend it to everyone.
May 17, 2020
OMG I love this book!! It is even better than dork diaries and is so fun to read! I love the twist ending at the end and how wholesome the whole book was. I loved all of the characters, the pictures, and the storyline. As soon as I was done I made my mom go right on and buy the second one! I definitely reccomend.
June 4, 2020
Absolutely loved this book! Like, the girl gets to go with her dream band? Yes she dies! Awesome! Also, this is not a spoiler, you find this out in the first few pages, and when you read the back of the book, so don't worry. I definitely recommend reading this book and reading the other books in this series!
September 5, 2024
pretty cheesy
I did appreciate the ending and that it was acknowledged that people on social media are not always what they seemed. Over all it was a kind of cute book but seemed a little shallow with girls screaming over boys that were famous. I would not read it over and over but it would be ok to take up some time if my kids wanted to read something silly.
I did appreciate the ending and that it was acknowledged that people on social media are not always what they seemed. Over all it was a kind of cute book but seemed a little shallow with girls screaming over boys that were famous. I would not read it over and over but it would be ok to take up some time if my kids wanted to read something silly.
January 13, 2018
I LOVED this book! I would definitely recommend this book to Dork Diaries fans. It is about a girl who's mom gets a job working for the girls favorite boys band.
Read
September 18, 2019it is good
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 28, 2021
I read this book over a year ago and immediately bought the second one. If you are seeing this Jen Calonita, PLEASE MAKE A THIRD ONE
Read
March 4, 2021Best book ever. Mad because it left me at a cliffhanger. I wouldn't let anyone come near me or talk to me XD I love the book wants to read the 2nd book!
June 21, 2022
Loved it. I enjoyed reading about all the characters and learning about life of a rockstar on the road and boy bands. Favorite boybands book. Loved Mackenzie Lowell.
September 19, 2022
Was my favourite book most of my life-will update this review on my next reread
September 30, 2022
s. 206 „Nechtěli byste zajít něco skousnout...“ ?
špatné dělení slov - s. 109
špatné dělení slov - s. 109
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December 21, 202310/11 year old me read this at the peak of his 5sos obsession and it was fucking incredible it was like a fanfic it was so fun i swear
December 26, 2015
For anyone who has ever had a crush on a star - music star, movie star, sports star - this story will recapture some of the swooning and hysteria of being a fangirl. Mackenzie and her two best friends, Scarlet and Iris, are crazy about the band Perfect Storm. They flip out when they get tickets and backstage passes to the concert. But what Mac doesn't know is that her mom has been chosen as the band's new tour manager and she is taking Mackenzie along on tour with the band. Squee! Traveling for weeks on the road and even sharing a tutor with the boys helps Mac to realize that they are talented, but they are also just teenage boys. They make messes, have food fights, and play pranks just like everyone else their age.
This book has a lot going for it. The whole boy band and fangirl scene is very topical. Showing an inside glimpse of a band on tour is also entertaining; having to do homework even though you are a pop star, being on the road at all hours, having to plan your life around performances and appearances - it's not all as much fun as people think. And the relationships in the book have very realistic touches, whether it is a family like Mac and her mom, the "brotherhood" of the band members, or the friendships Mac develops with other characters. Calonita's writing is amusing and the illustrations capture memorable moments. The comic panels of Mac's imaginary alter ego, Mac Attack, are very amusing - especially the fact that she fights villains with a nail file.
For middle grade and tween readers who would like to see what the life of a pop star is like, or for those who simply enjoy books about friends and relationships, I'm with the Band is an enjoyable read that will have you laughing out loud or shaking your head at some of the antics.
I received a copy from the publisher for review purposes.
This book has a lot going for it. The whole boy band and fangirl scene is very topical. Showing an inside glimpse of a band on tour is also entertaining; having to do homework even though you are a pop star, being on the road at all hours, having to plan your life around performances and appearances - it's not all as much fun as people think. And the relationships in the book have very realistic touches, whether it is a family like Mac and her mom, the "brotherhood" of the band members, or the friendships Mac develops with other characters. Calonita's writing is amusing and the illustrations capture memorable moments. The comic panels of Mac's imaginary alter ego, Mac Attack, are very amusing - especially the fact that she fights villains with a nail file.
For middle grade and tween readers who would like to see what the life of a pop star is like, or for those who simply enjoy books about friends and relationships, I'm with the Band is an enjoyable read that will have you laughing out loud or shaking your head at some of the antics.
I received a copy from the publisher for review purposes.
October 1, 2016
I love Calonita's YA stuff—the Hollywood Life books in particular always seem like just the right amount of feel-good fluff—but I think I'm a bit far out of the age range for her MG books. Spent much of this one trying to remember whether I read this sort of thing when I was younger (the really fluffy, really cheesy things where they're all like 'omg boyz boyz boyz' but because it's MG the stakes are, like, 'will he hold my hand and let my mom drive us to the mall??'), and...I must have? At some point? But it's not really the kind of book that sticks with you.
Still, it's cute. Mac is a tweenage wannabe artist, and she's obsessed with her favourite boy band, so when her mother takes a job as a tour manager (or something like that) with said favourite band, Mac's over the moon. She spends most of the book convinced that she's in love with the bad boy of the bunch, of course, and I pity her mother for having to shepherd around a bunch of teens who get their kicks from farting contests and practical jokes, but the artwork's fun and the whole thing is fluffily entertaining.
Still, it's cute. Mac is a tweenage wannabe artist, and she's obsessed with her favourite boy band, so when her mother takes a job as a tour manager (or something like that) with said favourite band, Mac's over the moon. She spends most of the book convinced that she's in love with the bad boy of the bunch, of course, and I pity her mother for having to shepherd around a bunch of teens who get their kicks from farting contests and practical jokes, but the artwork's fun and the whole thing is fluffily entertaining.
July 9, 2015
4th&up
A-freakin'-dorable! Diary entries with scattered illustrations and a realistic pre-teen voice make this series starter impossible to resist.
Mac, the self-declared #1 fan of the up and coming boy band Perfect Storm (ala One Direction) finds out that she will be touring with the band thanks to her mother's new job as their tour manager.
Along with being tons of fun, this book also subtly reminds readers that celebrities are real people as well- with real foibles, strengths, feelings, and personalities. When Mac's crush on the lead singer starts to shift, readers will be cheering for her to find out where her heart really leads her. With action and sweetness that is completely appropriate for middle schoolers, I'd be surprised if this book spends much time on the shelves- it's more likely to be passed hand to hand by eager tween girls.
This book was obtained at BEA15 in exchange for an honest review.
A-freakin'-dorable! Diary entries with scattered illustrations and a realistic pre-teen voice make this series starter impossible to resist.
Mac, the self-declared #1 fan of the up and coming boy band Perfect Storm (ala One Direction) finds out that she will be touring with the band thanks to her mother's new job as their tour manager.
Along with being tons of fun, this book also subtly reminds readers that celebrities are real people as well- with real foibles, strengths, feelings, and personalities. When Mac's crush on the lead singer starts to shift, readers will be cheering for her to find out where her heart really leads her. With action and sweetness that is completely appropriate for middle schoolers, I'd be surprised if this book spends much time on the shelves- it's more likely to be passed hand to hand by eager tween girls.
This book was obtained at BEA15 in exchange for an honest review.
November 10, 2016
this book was so good! i'm totally going to read this book again. i recommend this to any one and every one. i think it was my favorite book of 2016.
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