Exile: Exile #1
Gr 9 Up—Summer Carlson enters her senior year of high school still reeling from the pain of losing the band she managed to a major record label. Finding a new band is easy at Mount Hope High, though. The school's PopArts program, which attracts teen music prodigies, offers lunchtime concerts, professional-grade practice studios, and a full espresso bar—it's the high school of every rocker's dreams. Summer connects with Caleb Daniels, who recently ditched his group without explanation. The teen reveals that his father was legendary rocker Eli White, who tragically drowned before finishing his band's much-anticipated second album. When Caleb discovers a letter his father wrote him, the teens embark on a wild goose chase to find tapes with three songs secretly recorded by White. Narrated by Summer, this novel will appeal to musicians and music lovers. Emerson keeps a solid balance of romance, fast-paced mystery, and coming-of-age strife (relationships with parents, defining one's self, friendship betrayal). A strong cosmic theme runs through the novel, grounded by the model solar system spread throughout the town, which Caleb and Summer visit at various points during the story. All is bolstered by the protagonist's introspective thoughts, which give the book a sense of depth without coming off as preachy. Summer observes "maybe we go in circles, but they're orbits, created by the gravity of our hearts and hopes…." Teens may be disappointed by the abrupt ending, but even so, the novel is a worthwhile read.—Nicole Knott, Watertown High School, CT