All Together Now

Eagle Rock #2

by Hope Larson

All Together Now is New York Times bestselling author and illustrator Hope Larson's pitch-perfect graphic novel follow-up for fans of All Summer Long, music lovers, and anyone navigating the ups and downs of friendship.

Middle-schooler Bina is having the best time playing in her new band with her friends, Darcy and Enzo. But both the band and her friendships begin to crumble when Darcy and Enzo start dating, effectively relegating Bina to third-wheel status.

To make matters worse, Bina's best friend, Austin, starts developing a crush on her . . . one she is not sure she reciprocates. Now Bina must follow her heart. Can she navigate its twists and turns before the lights come up and the music starts playing?

Genres: Graphic Novels, Middle Grade, Music, Young Adult, Comics, Realistic Fiction, Friendship

192 pages, Paperback

First published August 4, 2020

About the author

Hope Larson is an American illustrator and comics artist. Hope Larson is the author of Salamander Dream, Gray Horses, Chiggers, and Mercury. She won a 2007 Eisner Award. She lives in Los Angeles, California.

Reviews

[Lata · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Things seem to be going well with Bina and Darcy’s band, but they need a drummer. They get one, Enzo, and before hardly any time passes, Darcy and Enzo are making more than music together and they dump Bina.
Then Austin, her best friend, decides he wants to date Bina, and it’s all too much—lots of angst!
This was enjoyable, and reminded me how everything seemed so big and impossible at that age. Thankfully, Bina does figure some things out, and seems more at peace by the end of this story.

[lily ✿ · Rating 3 out of 5]

[2.5 stars]

[Rod Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pleasant in the moment, I fear this low-key tale of angst and tension among members of a middle-school rock band will be as forgettable as the first volume in the long run, but I still want to read the next one.

[Dakota Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

All Summer Long felt like a summer beach read trifle, but All Together Now brings some interesting and surprising developments. Bina's new band doesn't quite work out and her relationship with cute neighbor boy Austin takes a turn. Where you expect the story of disappointment and young love to zig, though, it zags. Bina takes charge of her destiny, making All Together Now a smart tale of teens in control.

Hope Larson's art is no great shakes and the melodrama levels are occasionally a little too high, but All Together Now feels exceptionally true, which is rare in YA lit. Looking forward to the next book in the series.

[Tasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

This sequel to All Summer Long continues the story of Bina and her band. This new graphic novel shows the drama of middle school friendships and how that can be made even worse by adding in band dynamics. At first, Bina loves being in a band with her best friend, Darcy. But when Enzo joins them, she starts to feel like she’s being pushed out of her own band! It gets even worse when Darcy and Enzo become romantically involved. As they try to change Darcy’s music, Darcy decides to leave the band. Meanwhile, she is realizing that her next-door neighbor and friend, Austin, has a crush on her. Bina though doesn’t feel the same way. It’s a lot to navigate as a middle schooler and it leads to one epic punk reaction that results in Bina starting to speak out for herself.

So often sequels are not as good as the first. Here, the story gets even stronger as we get to see Bina grow into her own voice and her own musical stance. The addition of band drama into the huge changes already happening in middle school makes for true drama that is not overplayed here, but creates moments for growth and self-reflection with some rock and roll thrown in.

Larson’s art is as great and approachable as ever. Done in a limited color palette of black, white and a dusky purple. The art invites readers right into Darcy’s private world, her music and the band.

A rocking sequel that will have fans of the first happily dancing along. Appropriate for ages 10-13.

[Nore · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this up on a whim without knowing it was a series because the art was cute, and I'm happy to say that this didn't affect my enjoyment of this book at all. Literal three stars: I liked it!

A quick read with pretty good art and a cute story about the balancing act between compromising with others and being true to yourself. Bina is maybe a little too mature for a middle schooler, but it doesn't feel unnatural, given the way her parents act. I'd read the next one! Heck, I might go read the first one.

[aqilahreads · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF-ed the first book & thought would give another try for its second book - ALMOST dnf-ed again but managed to pull it through, unwillingly tho. the story was boring and i really dont understand the overall message ((if theres any)). art wise, not really up to my liking but i guess its also up to preference. targeted to teens but idk if i would really enjoy this even if im in the targeted reader.

[Dana Gisser · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book without having read the first book and while it made sense and I didn't feel like I was missing context having not read All Summer Long I did have to wonder to myself if having read All Summer Long would have helped me connect to the characters more.

[Meredith Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this one. The story's realistic and emotional, with great nuance and understanding of the characters. The colors are really soothing, of all adjectives to describe them, and go so well with the story. I was happy to visit with these characters again and am excited to put this one in the hands of the readers who wore our copy of All Summer Long out. Plus, all the music references are perfect, of course.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good follow up to All Summer Long. I like that these books didn't feel forced in any one direction. Bina was unreasonable, and then reasonable, and calm and wild in turns, as any 8th grade kid will be.
I like that Bina took her music seriously though. She didn't let herself get distracted by a boy. Good stuff.

[Sarah Sammis · Rating 5 out of 5]

All Together Now by Hope Larson is the sequel to All Summer Long (2018). Summer is over and Bina is enjoying writing songs for her band, comprised of BFFs Darcy and Enzo. But things change for the worse when Darcy and Enzo start dating.

Hopefully there will be a third.

http://pussreboots.com/blog/2020/comm...

[Sam · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

Huge thank you to Raincoast for this ARC!

I really enjoyed All Summer Long, but I think its sequel All Together Now might actually be the stronger of the two books in the series. In this sequel, Bina has definitely grown, her first are interested in romantic relationships and moving towards becoming "high schoolers." Bina would rather continue to play music, and given all the changes within her friend group, she has to deal with writer's block and overcoming creative differences with her friends and band-mates.

Bina grows so much in this story. From her best friend taking an "interest" in here, to Darcy leaving her band and getting a boyfriend, Larson tackles so many issues in this book and does with a lot of fineness. Bina still has frustrating moments in this story where her immaturity definitely shows, but her growing pains are also super apparent and you can't help by feel for everything she seems to think she is losing.

All Together Now is a fun sequel to this great story about music and friendship. I'd be curious if Larson has another book up her sleeve for this series, as I'd be curious to see Bina grow even more. Definitely read the first book before considering read this one, as it's a direct continuation. This has a great summer spirit and will make a fun outdoor read!

[Lauren the Reader · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5//this story is really cute but I wish it was a little longer.

[Sophie_The_Jedi_Knight · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this book up on a whim, not knowing it was part 2 of a series. It's a middle-grade graphic novel, but I just love Hope Larson's art style. She did A Wrinkle in Time: The Graphic Novel, after all, and I love that one.

Knowing this is a series, maybe there's more to these characters than I thought. I didn't like the way Darcy treated Bina, and I was hoping that Bina would fully move on from Darcy and acknowledge that. Instead, they get back together and Darcy never really apologizes, just says she was wrong to do things the way she did - ignoring the fact that it was her actions, not just her methods, that were hurtful.

But I did like Bina's other friendships, and the way this book handled romance was great. Bina doesn't know if she's romantically interested in anyone yet, but she's so young - she's got time to figure it out. Instead of having this book go to either extreme - having Bina enter a romantic relationship or having her declare that she never wants to date anyone - Bina is allowed to be in a place of "I don't know what I want yet, and that's okay. But right now I don't want a boyfriend."

I should read the rest of this series - out of order, I suppose! 3/5 stars.

[TheNextGenLibrarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this graphic novel about finding out who you are, what you want and following your passions. I liked that Bina spent a lot of time contemplating who she was, what she wanted and being mature enough to own up to it, even when it's hard. I liked the diversity and the way the author shared Bina's relationship journey. Many kids are late bloomers and/or aromantic/asexual and that isn't discussed enough in literature.

4.5 stars

[angelofmine1974 · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm enjoying the series so far. In this book, Bina and her best friend want to start a band. They find a drummer. Her friend falls in love with the drummer and things go wrong really quick now that Bina is a third wheel... Also her neighbor who has been friends with her forever is in love with her but she doesn't feel the same way. Really great graphics and a wonderful story.

[Ana(stasia) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this sequel! I can’t decide which book I like more, but they were both amazing! I found it awkward that Austin liked Bina. Charlie seemed very different in this one. She used to be a little bitter and mean, but in this one, she acted like an older sister to Bina. I just really can’t believe that Darcy and her boyfriend (forgot his name already 🤪) told her she should make her own band and they kicked her out. And kept the name and everything. And even played her song. And after the whole thing at the party, Bina was just ok with it??? Anyways, very good.

[Danielle · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wasn't as into this one - in some ways I wish that her friends were more accountable for treating her shittily, or that she made new friends before the very end. It all makes sense but it's just beginning to end uncomfortable.

[Kelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love, love, love this book. If you have a tween who is an aspiring riot grrl, she needs this!

[Erica · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Alexandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Authentic to the middle school experience. A little bisexuality sprinkled in. I hope there's a 3rd book.

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

really enjoyed this one, hoping there is another one soon

[Peter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good continuation from All Summer Long that's about true friendship and creativity.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love books about bands, and middle grade books about growing up a little slower than your peers. This one was really well executed!

[Hayden · Rating 4 out of 5]

Parts were slow, but the ending was amazing.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just as sweet and true as the first volume. Hope Larson nails middle school ennui. And the "Making the Band" angle really works as a way into tween friendships and conflicts.

[Zander]

loved this book better than the second one. really good graphic novel series.

[Kai Charles(Fiction State Of Mind) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bina and her bandmates aren't on the same page and it's getting in the way of her dreams.

[✩ maggs ✩ · Rating 3 out of 5]

short and sweet. nothing really to complain about but nothing to write home about.

im doing a unit on graphic novels for my freshman and this is one of 33 graphic novels i will be offering as an independent choice reading.

[nani chamoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantasmic! This is Phenomonal! Thanx for writing me in 🧡