Born To Rock

From School Library JournalGrade 710President of his high school's Young Republicans club and on a fast track to Harvard with a full scholarship, Leo Carraway finds his life turned upside down by two events. His unlikely best frienda hip, nonconformist named Melinda, whose temperament, politics, and interests seemingly clash with his lifestyleconvinces him to help tutor a gay classmate. When the homophobic assistant principal observes Leo talking to Owen during a test, he accuses Leo of cheating and causes him to lose his scholarship. Then Leo learns, to his consternation, that Marion X. McMurphy (King Maggot)the top punk singer of the 1980s with a reputation for destruction on stage and leader of the band Purgeis likely his biological father. He decides to confront King Maggot and get him to pay for his lost scholarship and joins the crew of roadies supporting the band on a summer revival tour. Leo is introduced to the decadent world of punk performers, production crews, agents, and groupies that confirms his dislike of the music, but at the same time, he reexamines his primary beliefs and principles and is fundamentally changed by his experiences. He and Melinda, who is spending the summer following the band, slowly realize that they have more in common than they had thought. At the end, Leo uncovers a surprise about his biological father and reflects on what this means to his life. Korman's story has an appealing narrative voice, sharp dialogue, and vivid characterization to portray Leo's coming of age.Jack Forman, Mesa College Library, San DiegoCopyright Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.Product DescriptionFrom BooklistGr. 710. 'There are two kinds of people in this worldthose who have had a cavity search, and those who haven't. This is the story of how I wound up in the wrong category.' After Young Republican Leo Caraway discovers that his biological father is none other than millionaire King Maggot, lead singer of the punk band Purge, he accepts a roadie job on King's tour in the hope of securing sorely needed college tuition. Soon, cokesnorting musicians and onthemake agents are assaulting Leo's traditional values at every turn. Still, he manages to keep his cool, until he uncovers a shocking truth about his biodad that leaves him questioning every principle he holds dear. Leo's journey to punkrock appreciation is a sharply observed, original take on the tired 'outsider looking in' cliche. Though predictable at times and a little too clean (since when are there no expletives in punk?), Korman's rock opus redeems itself with smartly written dialogue and a slowburning romance between Leo and his best friend, Melinda. Jennifer HubertCopyright American Library Association. All rights reservedAbout the AuthorGordon Korman wrote his first book at age fourteen and since then has written more than eighty middle grade and teen novels. His favorites include the New York Times bestselling The 39 Clues: Cahills vs. Vespers, Book One: The Medusa Plot; Ungifted; Pop; and Schooled. Gordon lives with his family on Long Island, New York. He invites you to visit him online at GordonKorman.com.