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Vicious is My Middle Name
"...a must-read for anyone who has ever felt like a misfit and found solace in books and music.” — Jennifer Whiteford, author of Grrrl With a partially-shaved head, purple Doc Marten boots, and the sinking realization that no one in a fifty-mile radius has ever heard of her favorite all-female punk band Lite Brite, 13-year-old Sydney Vicious Talcott wants to be anywhere but her new home of Beaver Dam, NC, especially when mean girl Brittany Winters treats her like the punch-line to every joke. But just as life begins to seem more tolerable with her two new book-nerd friends and a growing appreciation for the beauty of the Appalachian mountains, Sydney discovers that a shady corporation is planning to build an environmentally-damaging asphalt plant right next to the school. Her attempts to work through the system to stop the plant’s construction fail, so it’s up to Sydney to fight the corporation and their political lackeys the only way she can, using the do-it-yourself tools she has learned from punk rock. But before she can triumph, Sydney, her family, and friends must endure bullying, harassment, immigration raids, and more.
- GenresMiddle Grade
228 pages, Paperback
Published November 15, 2022
1 person is currently reading
667 people want to read
About the author
Kevin Dunn
21 books14 followersKevin Dunn plays in several bands, runs a small record label, publishes zines, and works at a small liberal arts college, where he teaches and publishes on a range of topics from African politics to international relations to global punk. He and his family split their time between Western New York state and Western North Carolina. The author of numerous scholarly works, such as Global Punk: Resistance and Rebellion in Everyday Life, Inside African Politics, and The Politics of Origin in Africa.
Vicious is My Middle Name is his first novel.
Vicious is My Middle Name is his first novel.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
April 21, 2023
This novel shows us all the elements necessary for an effective and nourishing community: Mutual respect and admiration across all classes and races and generations. A shared objective that everyone believes in. And a healthy measure of selflessness and commitment across the board. If you've got these, you can be a punk middle school girl from Rochester, New York who is suddenly dropped into a conservative mountain town in North Carolina and actually be competitive in an against-all-odds struggle with the county Boss and his cronies. Sydney has lost her old community, and quite unwittingly, with her passion and idealism and earnest swag, builds a brand new one.
The storytelling here is nicely paced and engaging. Definitely kept me turning the pages. It reminds me of Moxie, with some ingredients from The Vinyl Princess mixed in, while definitely making its own contribution.
I read this because I am interested in novels that involve zines. Here the zine serves as a tool of resistance, spreading information and helping activist minds connect, somewhat the way Blossom's zine does in my adult novel The Zinester Manifesto: A Novel of the Underground. I would recommend Vicious is My Middle Name to any person yearning to feel empowered, or to any younger person not yet initiated into The Struggle. If you don’t yet know what The Struggle is, this novel is a worthy introduction.
The storytelling here is nicely paced and engaging. Definitely kept me turning the pages. It reminds me of Moxie, with some ingredients from The Vinyl Princess mixed in, while definitely making its own contribution.
I read this because I am interested in novels that involve zines. Here the zine serves as a tool of resistance, spreading information and helping activist minds connect, somewhat the way Blossom's zine does in my adult novel The Zinester Manifesto: A Novel of the Underground. I would recommend Vicious is My Middle Name to any person yearning to feel empowered, or to any younger person not yet initiated into The Struggle. If you don’t yet know what The Struggle is, this novel is a worthy introduction.
November 21, 2022
Vicious is My Middle Name
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Format: Kindle eBook
Date Published: 11/15/22
Author: Kevin Dunn
Pages: 228
GR: 4.89
I requested a digital advanced readers copy from NetGalley and publisher and providing my opinion voluntarily and unbiased.
My Thoughts: This book touches a lot of societal issues, but does it in a beautiful and graceful way. It discusses both political and environmental issues. This book is geared toward middle grade students, but would be easily read by a YA or an adult reader. Sydney Vicious Talcott is a wonderful character, you could not help but want things to work out for her. She was uprooted from NY to NC, which is always hard for a middle schooler. Even though she stood out at first, she settles in with a good group of friends. The characters were well developed with depth, passion, and creative. The author’s writing style was creative, intriguing, and engaging. This would be an excellent resource for teachers and libraries to provoke discussion on political and environmental issues among middle schoolers. It could even bridge to high school students to open up dissuasions on equality.
🏷
.
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#whatimreading #booklover #bookworm #bookpic #bookstagram #fiction #booksoninstagram #reviewer #bookfriends #bookrecs #goodreads #bookishgirl #2022bookgoals #bookpost #Book-Reviews #netgalley #contemporaryfiction #middleschool
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Format: Kindle eBook
Date Published: 11/15/22
Author: Kevin Dunn
Pages: 228
GR: 4.89
I requested a digital advanced readers copy from NetGalley and publisher and providing my opinion voluntarily and unbiased.
My Thoughts: This book touches a lot of societal issues, but does it in a beautiful and graceful way. It discusses both political and environmental issues. This book is geared toward middle grade students, but would be easily read by a YA or an adult reader. Sydney Vicious Talcott is a wonderful character, you could not help but want things to work out for her. She was uprooted from NY to NC, which is always hard for a middle schooler. Even though she stood out at first, she settles in with a good group of friends. The characters were well developed with depth, passion, and creative. The author’s writing style was creative, intriguing, and engaging. This would be an excellent resource for teachers and libraries to provoke discussion on political and environmental issues among middle schoolers. It could even bridge to high school students to open up dissuasions on equality.
🏷
.
.
#whatimreading #booklover #bookworm #bookpic #bookstagram #fiction #booksoninstagram #reviewer #bookfriends #bookrecs #goodreads #bookishgirl #2022bookgoals #bookpost #Book-Reviews #netgalley #contemporaryfiction #middleschool
June 28, 2022
I'm usually stingy about giving out 5 star reviews, but OMG, this book was so good. I was in tears by the end. When a writer can make you cry, it's a real testament that they wrote about something moving and impactful.
There is so much going on in this book. It really touches on some fundamental issues in society. Instead of trying to address all of it, I've included some keywords/themes below that sum up the book.
Beautifully written and so incredibly relevant to the world we live in.
Keywords: environmental protection, feminism, bullying, punk rock, bluegrass, middle school, Black, Latinx, Appalachian, Affrilachian, corrupt politicians, cultural awareness, activism, book nerds.
P.S. Even though this is marketed as a middle grade book, due to the complexity of the issues addressed, this book is equally suited for YA and adult audiences.
Note: A special thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advanced reader's copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
There is so much going on in this book. It really touches on some fundamental issues in society. Instead of trying to address all of it, I've included some keywords/themes below that sum up the book.
Beautifully written and so incredibly relevant to the world we live in.
Keywords: environmental protection, feminism, bullying, punk rock, bluegrass, middle school, Black, Latinx, Appalachian, Affrilachian, corrupt politicians, cultural awareness, activism, book nerds.
P.S. Even though this is marketed as a middle grade book, due to the complexity of the issues addressed, this book is equally suited for YA and adult audiences.
Note: A special thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advanced reader's copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
September 13, 2022
I'm a big fan of middle grade novels that have relevant themes and important lessons to learn, and this one had both. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC ahead of time.
Sydney Vicious Talcott is a wonderful character that I couldn't help but root for. 13 years old and a huge fan of punk rock, Sydney's life is uprooted when her mom moves them away from Rochester, NY to Beaver Dam, North Carolina. Sydney sticks out like a sore thumb - the way she looks, the way she talks, her hobbies and interests. She's such an interesting person! But of course interesting is not always appreciated in middle school, especially when you're different from everyone else.
Sydney finds herself a great group of friends and this is where the book really shines. The relationships she develops - whether its with fellow library lovers and school outcasts Shawn and Rita, her grandparents that she and her mother have moved in with, her idol from her favorite all-girl punk rock band who is also her pen pal, the school librarian who supports the causes she is passionate about, the music store owner, her English teacher who she feels is out to get her, and her older brother who is away at college but keeps tabs on her throughout the novel.
The main storyline has political and environmental ties. An asphalt plant is being built in Beaver Dam, right next to the school. Sydney starts researching the dangers of being right next to an asphalt plant, and is determined to prevent it from being built.
An excellent read for middle schoolers!
Be sure to check out the content warnings, which include bullying, death (off page), grief, and minor violence.
Sydney Vicious Talcott is a wonderful character that I couldn't help but root for. 13 years old and a huge fan of punk rock, Sydney's life is uprooted when her mom moves them away from Rochester, NY to Beaver Dam, North Carolina. Sydney sticks out like a sore thumb - the way she looks, the way she talks, her hobbies and interests. She's such an interesting person! But of course interesting is not always appreciated in middle school, especially when you're different from everyone else.
Sydney finds herself a great group of friends and this is where the book really shines. The relationships she develops - whether its with fellow library lovers and school outcasts Shawn and Rita, her grandparents that she and her mother have moved in with, her idol from her favorite all-girl punk rock band who is also her pen pal, the school librarian who supports the causes she is passionate about, the music store owner, her English teacher who she feels is out to get her, and her older brother who is away at college but keeps tabs on her throughout the novel.
The main storyline has political and environmental ties. An asphalt plant is being built in Beaver Dam, right next to the school. Sydney starts researching the dangers of being right next to an asphalt plant, and is determined to prevent it from being built.
An excellent read for middle schoolers!
Be sure to check out the content warnings, which include bullying, death (off page), grief, and minor violence.
November 10, 2022
Vicious Is My Middle Name by Kevin Dunn is a mid-grade masterpiece! This book was so relatable and had me smiling, gasping, and crying! The book is about Sydney Vicious, a punk rock enthusiast from New York who ends up in a small town in the Appalachian mountains. No stranger to heartbreak, Sydney is the victim of bullying and can't seem to find her place in her new school. That is until she finds a group of students and teachers who share her love of music and reading. When she discovers that her new home is at risk from the underhanded dealings of the powerful and corrupt family of her tormentor, Sydney decides to fight back in the most punk rock fashion ever. She creates a zine calling out "The Man" and throws an epic concert. This story had so many great elements, including the friendship of unlikely misfits, environmental protest, working through grief and loss, and how to stay true to your authentic self. I would recommend Vicious Is My Middle Name to any young reader who sees the oppression so rampant in our society and longs to stand up against it.
November 16, 2022
Sydney Vicious Talcott is beyond a memorable character… this one is a middle grade that I think has such great topics like grieving a parent, moving, bullying, political as well as environmental protection! Whew that’s a lot but it was done so well. The plot moved at a such a great pace that I reached the end and wasn’t ready. The setting of the small town Beaver Dam, NC was perfect for this NY punk rock girl and her strong beliefs to end up at. She makes some book loving friends that I absolutely fell in love with and some other fun side characters along the way.
If you love music, books, activism and a protagonist with fire and a heart of gold then this is for you!
If you love music, books, activism and a protagonist with fire and a heart of gold then this is for you!
July 2, 2022
This review is based in an ARC and may not match the final version. Thank you for the opportunity to read and review this book.
Sydney Vicious Talcott (her dad was a big Punk fan-her brother is named Johnny Rotten Talcott) has recently moved in with her grandparents into a tiny NC mountain town. While struggling to find her place socially (and get a passing grade from her English teacher), she finds a mission in trying to prevent an asphalt plant from coming into the community.
This is an enjoyable book. Sydney is a relatable protagonist, and the plot moves at a good pace, with enough setbacks and loose ends to make it believable. As a music teacher, I loved the overlap between Punk, Appalachian folk, and bluegrass music, and that music lovers, coming together, were able to have a positive effect. I particularly appreciated that the English teacher was not painted as simply hating Sydney for no reason, and that while the school administration and local government officials were shown to be responding to outside influences in varied ways, so it wasn’t “they’re all against me”
I think this would be an appropriate book for classroom and school libraries and be a good discussion starter about racial and SES equity for high school age students, as well as providing a great entry to a range of music genres.
Sydney Vicious Talcott (her dad was a big Punk fan-her brother is named Johnny Rotten Talcott) has recently moved in with her grandparents into a tiny NC mountain town. While struggling to find her place socially (and get a passing grade from her English teacher), she finds a mission in trying to prevent an asphalt plant from coming into the community.
This is an enjoyable book. Sydney is a relatable protagonist, and the plot moves at a good pace, with enough setbacks and loose ends to make it believable. As a music teacher, I loved the overlap between Punk, Appalachian folk, and bluegrass music, and that music lovers, coming together, were able to have a positive effect. I particularly appreciated that the English teacher was not painted as simply hating Sydney for no reason, and that while the school administration and local government officials were shown to be responding to outside influences in varied ways, so it wasn’t “they’re all against me”
I think this would be an appropriate book for classroom and school libraries and be a good discussion starter about racial and SES equity for high school age students, as well as providing a great entry to a range of music genres.
December 1, 2022
"Vicious is My Middle Name" is a fantastic middle grade and YA novel by Kevin Dunn. It's got a great protagonist, whose middle name really is Vicious, after Sid Vicious of the Sex Pistols. Her dad was big into punk rock when Sydney Vicious Talcott and her older brother Joey, named after Joey Ramone, were born.
Sydney is a fish out of water having just moved from Rochester NY to the rural community of Beaver Dam in the Appalachian Mountains of North Carolina. No one dresses like her, or listens to her kind of music, or has even heard of the bands she likes.
Author Kevin Dunn draws from his own life as a punk musician and academic and infuses the story with all kinds of music, not just punk. The rural mountain setting, the music details, and voices of the characters are spot on.
When Sydney sees something wrong in her new community she sets out to change it and uses the DIY ethos of punk and the new friends she's found to advocate for what she knows is right and fight against The Man and greed.
It is an empowering books for everyone, but especially for any kid who feels different. Very accessible and engaging. It will be inspiring to tons of kids and maybe some adults, too!
Fans of "The First Rule of Punk" by Celia Pérez and younger fans of "Moxie" by Jennifer Mathieu will enjoy.
Sydney is a fish out of water having just moved from Rochester NY to the rural community of Beaver Dam in the Appalachian Mountains of North Carolina. No one dresses like her, or listens to her kind of music, or has even heard of the bands she likes.
Author Kevin Dunn draws from his own life as a punk musician and academic and infuses the story with all kinds of music, not just punk. The rural mountain setting, the music details, and voices of the characters are spot on.
When Sydney sees something wrong in her new community she sets out to change it and uses the DIY ethos of punk and the new friends she's found to advocate for what she knows is right and fight against The Man and greed.
It is an empowering books for everyone, but especially for any kid who feels different. Very accessible and engaging. It will be inspiring to tons of kids and maybe some adults, too!
Fans of "The First Rule of Punk" by Celia Pérez and younger fans of "Moxie" by Jennifer Mathieu will enjoy.
February 10, 2023
This book filled my heart the way reading Harry Potter did when I was a kid. Except here our group of resilient middle school aged friends are fighting real world forces of evil against seemingly insurmountable odds.
The characters all feel like real people I might encounter any day in my western North Carolina home, and I wish I could be friends with most of them. Also I learned that apparently I like punk rock! My Spotify playlists got a major update while I was reading.
I hope Kevin plans to write more fiction. This novel was inspiring and energizing- like a cup of strong coffee for the soul. It was exactly what I needed right now.
The characters all feel like real people I might encounter any day in my western North Carolina home, and I wish I could be friends with most of them. Also I learned that apparently I like punk rock! My Spotify playlists got a major update while I was reading.
I hope Kevin plans to write more fiction. This novel was inspiring and energizing- like a cup of strong coffee for the soul. It was exactly what I needed right now.
May 13, 2023
Vicious is My Middle Name
Forced to move away from her friends, Sydney has a hard time fitting in at her new school. No one to talk to, no music stores, and her mom is too busy to spend time with her. She has an English teacher that hates her, bullies that get away with everything, and a principal that refuses to accept the truth. Slowly she begins to make friends as she becomes an activist trying to take on the town government and the richest family. Unfortunately, she is just a kids and adults will only listen to so much before giving up. Besides, how much noise can kids make?
#GoodreadsGiveaways
Forced to move away from her friends, Sydney has a hard time fitting in at her new school. No one to talk to, no music stores, and her mom is too busy to spend time with her. She has an English teacher that hates her, bullies that get away with everything, and a principal that refuses to accept the truth. Slowly she begins to make friends as she becomes an activist trying to take on the town government and the richest family. Unfortunately, she is just a kids and adults will only listen to so much before giving up. Besides, how much noise can kids make?
#GoodreadsGiveaways
January 8, 2023
I just finished Vicious Is My Middle Name. It was excellent, a compelling read with complex characters, serious issues and a clear respect for readers. I liked that each new chapter introduced a new consideration or meaningfully advanced an earlier one. This, and the direct and well-crafted writing, totally kept my attention. Highly recommend!!!
May 11, 2024
This is great middle school book about a kid who has moved from Rochester, NY to rural North Carolina. Themes include finding community, grief/loss, environmental activism, and music (both punk and bluegrass!) The protagonist (whose middle name is indeed Vicious) is a great character that you will root for.
November 28, 2024
Sydney Vicious Talcott has recently moved in with her grandparents into a tiny NC mountain town. While struggling to find her place socially, she finds a mission in trying to prevent an asphalt plant from coming into the community. Beautifully written and so incredibly relevant to the world we live in books.
January 22, 2023
Sydney Vicious Talcott is forced to move from her home in New York to a small town in the Appalachian mountains, leaving her friends and everything she knew behind. Struggling in her new school, Sydney finds herself struggling to find her place in the new school, and on top of it she is the victim of bullying. As if being the new kid isn't hard enough, she stands out in her way of speaking, how she dresses and her music taste.
Wanting to escape her tormentors, she takes refuge in the library, which eventually leads to her finding her new group of friends.
She soon discovers that her new home town is threatened by the corrupt dealings by the town mayor, and a toxic asphalt plant, she and her friends needs to fight back.
The book discusses a lot of political-. environmental-, racial and social issues as well of the importance of staying true to yourself. Even though this book is mainly directed towards middle-grade students, I'd recommend this book to anyone interested in any sort of activism, or environmental issues. It is also a great read in any school and classroom setting, as it is educational without being boring and opens up for a great discussion about race, privilege and environmentalism.
As my interest in music started with Sex Pistols, and being an animal right activist for several decades this was a very cute and heartwarming read. Thank you to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC.
Wanting to escape her tormentors, she takes refuge in the library, which eventually leads to her finding her new group of friends.
She soon discovers that her new home town is threatened by the corrupt dealings by the town mayor, and a toxic asphalt plant, she and her friends needs to fight back.
The book discusses a lot of political-. environmental-, racial and social issues as well of the importance of staying true to yourself. Even though this book is mainly directed towards middle-grade students, I'd recommend this book to anyone interested in any sort of activism, or environmental issues. It is also a great read in any school and classroom setting, as it is educational without being boring and opens up for a great discussion about race, privilege and environmentalism.
As my interest in music started with Sex Pistols, and being an animal right activist for several decades this was a very cute and heartwarming read. Thank you to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC.
April 17, 2025
Vicious Is My Middle Name is SUCH a good book! It kept me engaged and engrossed in the storyline and characters. Sydney is a wonderful protagonist with terrific friends, but she's also a fish out of water-- a new student and in middle school, when everyone feels out of place, she's extra out of place because she's left Rochester, New York to move down to Western North Carolina. I loved learning about punk culture, the indie music scene, zines, Affrilachia (with a nod to bell hooks), and DIY activism through this smart, well-paced. at time epistolary novel, which has a big heart.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews