The teen band "Dumb" must have won the Seattle's Hottest New Teen Band contest on luck and loudness alone. They sound like "they're playing three different songs in an echo chamber." But when they play an impromptu, unsanctioned concert on the front steps of the high school, (all the teachers are in a staff meeting), their sound explodes from the speakers and sets the amps on fire! Literally sets the amps on fire. The crowd roars their approval but disperses in a cloud of smoke when the principal shows up with the fire extinguisher. One of the last kids still cheering when the fire is out, Piper takes on the challenge of managing "Dumb" -- getting them through their first recording session, their first televised performance, through personnel changes, ups and downs -- dealing with the prima(o?) dona(o?) lead singer's ego trips and manipulation -- handling negotiations with unscrupulous promoters -- Piper manages it all with laugh out loud humor and learns a lot about rock music and herself in the process. Five Flavors of Dumb won the 2011 Schneider Family Book Award, which honors an author or illustrator for the artistic expression of the disability experience for child and adolescent audiences. Antony John portrays Piper's experiences as first a teenage girl, second a teenage girl managing a hard rock band, and thirdly adding to the humor and quirkiness of the story, a teenage girl who is managing a hard rock band and who, incidentally, is deaf.
Older teens and young adults will relate to this story with its many overlaying subplots and themes such as family and friend relationships, coming of age and self acceptance.
Dumb is Antony John's second book. The first, Busted, is also a good read for teens. Both boys and girls will appreciate this story of Hormones vs. Feminism in a high school setting.
For more Schneider Family award winners, check out the ALA website at this link.
Verna, this book really intrigues me! I have a student who has cochlear implants and I am always looking for material that helps her feel less "different" and more like everyone else. You say older teens is a better target audience--is it too complex/difficult/explicit for an 8th grader?
ReplyDeleteNo not explicit or complex at all. I just thought that some of the issues would be more relatable to older teens, like worrying about money for college for instance. Also some of the wording and language structures may or may not be challenging for middle schoolers. An eight grader is almost high school! If you read it, then you can recommend it based on knowing your student's abilities.
ReplyDeleteMy husband is a working musician. I will have to read this. Thank you for sharing =)
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