Rock Star

by Adrian Chamberlain

Struggling at home and at school, Duncan decides to try out for a local rock band. He plays the bass in the school orchestra, but it is a long way from band camp to rock star. Joining a heavy-metal band, he tries to fit in, dumping his old friends and trying to walk the walk. When his dad's new girlfriend starts to teach him about real rock music and introduces him to her musician brother, Duncan discovers that there is more to being a guitar hero than playing in a heavy-metal band.

Genres: Ebooks, Teen, Fiction

128 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2010

About the author

Originally from Gabriola Island, Adrian Chamberlain has written about arts and entertainment for the Times Colonist since 1987. His Backstage column appears each Saturday. As well, he writes a column for the Sunday books pages. Before coming to Victoria, he was an arts writer for the Winnipeg Free Press.

Chamberlain has won three B.C. Newspaper Awards for arts writing. In his spare time, he plays keyboard for a rhythm and blues band. His heroes are Ricky Gervais, Larry David, Ray Charles, Christopher Walken, and Aretha Franklin.

Reviews

[Megan · Rating 1 out of 5]

I didn't care for this story at all. I'm used to these books not having much too them, but this one was just boring. Not something I'd recommend at all.

[A Book Vacation · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you know a struggling reader who loves music and instruments, then this is the book for them! Chamberlain is an aspiring rock star himself, and he imparts his knowledge of the industry in this coming of age story. The pace of this novel moves very quickly, which will keep young adults interested, as there is no down time. One moment Duncan is a geek, and the next he is a rock star, acting out. As the timeframe within the novel is never defined, I can understand how some readers may see a disconnect, and feel that the writing and character development is too menial, however, Chamberlain is utilizing a literary tactic here, and he does a superb job! The timeframe of the novel is never clear, and there is nothing to define how long it takes Duncan to change dispositions, but that’s the point! Teen temperament and dispositions change rapidly; they are trying to find themselves and their place in the world. Hence, there is no timeframe! It could happen overnight, or it could take weeks...

To read my full review:

http://bookvacations.wordpress.com/20...

[Karina W · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's very cliche and similar to many other books I've read, but the protagonist is different from what you would expect. But overall, it wasn't bad.

[Austin Duke · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall this is a decent book it is very simply to read and very quick to read. This book can be boring in some parts of it.

[Jennifer Wardrip · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reviewed by Sally Kruger aka "Readingjunky" for TeensReadToo.com

Finding a place to fit in has always been a problem for Duncan. He has some close friends, but let's face it, they are all pretty nerdy. He and his best friend, Jason, have been working on making a goofy film based on Raiders of the Lost Ark, but lately Duncan has been thinking that's totally lame. He needs some new interests, and maybe some new friends.

Duncan is surprised to find out Jason has answered an ad for a bass guitarist in a rock band. When Jason says he answered it for Duncan and encourages him to go for it, Duncan decides to take a chance.

One of the band members named Grant speaks up for Duncan and convinces the group to give him a try. Just like that, Duncan is part of Primal Thunk. At the same time, he learns that his father has started dating a woman named Terry. It is kind of a surprise, but she seems nice enough. He even discovers that she is into some fairly hip music, and she introduces him to her musician brother. Things are looking up. Then again, maybe it's too good to be true.

ROCK STAR by Adrian Chamberlain is a fast read, centered around heavy metal and rhythm and blues. Chamberlain takes a look at a teen searching for his niche. It takes some trial and error, but the character finds his direction in the end.

[Sherri · Rating 1 out of 5]

Duncan McCann is a 15-year-old 10th grader who enjoys playing his bass guitar. Unfortunately, his high school band only seems to play Disney tunes. When an opportunity to audition for a wannabe rock band comes along, Duncan tries out. He’s not the greatest bass player, but Grant, the leader of the band, accepts him since he was the only one to answer their recruitment ad. Duncan becomes so enthralled with the band, Primal Thunk, that he starts to lose focus on what’s really important in life: family and friends. A parallel storyline involves Duncan’s poor relationship with his dad since his mom died two years ago. Now Dad is dating Terry and Duncan’s not sure how he feels about it. When Terry introduces Duncan to her brother who was a professional musician, Duncan starts to realize where his focus in life should be. Reluctant readers who like head-banging music will appreciate this book more than others; however, the title Rock Star is a bit much. Duncan ends up playing only one gig with a pseudo band. The ending of the story is tied up too neatly and too quickly, but that’s what happens with minimal character development and a fast-paced read. This is a typical Orca Soundings book with a reading level of 3.0.

[Oscar Galan · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book is ummmm....pertty ok so far and all but there's so many problems about duncan life and his friends also his band. After his mother die, duncan strgging school and his old friends when he used to hang out with. But he trying to be cool with his new friends from the band also never concentrate at school too. All he care about being popluar and he trying not be embarrassing from best friend named Jason. The only favorite part is when Duncan meets houston in person, Duncan so happy to meet a old musician from first time. The part I hate when Duncan drinks too much alcohol and started to get drunk at the party and Grant wants Duncan to be cool for drink something he not suppose too. Anyway, the book is ok and needs more excited parts but not boring parts from the ending(thats my opinion)and if this book have really good long story parts(not just short parts about 1-6 pages per chapters) and wish this book is bigger to understand what happen to Duncan and his friends also his band.

[Alejandra · Rating 1 out of 5]

I read this book in less than an hour while waiting for my brother in the library. I found it in the teen section near a comfy chair so i decided to pick it up and read it. It is sad to say that I laughed at how horribly written some parts were. I definitely don't think this book was written at a teen reading level because it was so simple. The story also wasn't very interesting and I feel like the story happened to quickly. There wasn't really any character development and the whole story happened so fast that I didn't have the chance to really know them.
I would recommend this to my younger brother only because I think it'll be an easy book to read.

[Sandy · Rating 1 out of 5]

Ever since Duncan's mother died, he's been slacking off at school and fighting with his dad. Now his Dad is dating, and he's not sure how he feels about it. Terry seems nice enough, but really Duncan just wants to play his bass. He tries out for a local band and gets in, and then has to try hard to fit in with the rest of the band. Things go from bad to worse, and eventually, he realizes there are better ways to channel his musical passion.

[Beth · Rating 1 out of 5]

Sadly, I found this one entirely too simplistic. I know it's written for low vocabulary, but it was just too wooden.

[Kate · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was a fast read but I didn't enjoy it all that much. It made its point, but didn't have much substance.

[Nicolai Jeffries]

They put him on bass guitar and he had a hard time keeping up with the music. It was too loud for him also. His amp was too small so they made him plug up to a new one.