VIP: I'm with the Band

Gr 4–6—For tween patrons who idolize boy bands and are looking for some G-rated romance, this fun confection narrated by 12-year-old Mackenzie Lowell is just the ticket. Mac, an artist and budding graphic novelist spends much of her free time with her BFFs, drooling over the newest up-and-coming boy band Perfect Storm. The girls are bummed after spending the afternoon trying to score tickets to Perfect Storm's concert by calling in to a radio station. Mac's publicist mom saves the day by scoring VIP tickets. Mom's coolness factor skyrockets when she's hired to be the band's publicist, requiring her to travel with the band for a month—and Mac's going with her! This is Mac's chance to catch the eye of lead singer Zander, her crush. Perhaps he'll take her to the spring dance? But there are ups and downs on the tour including an accident involving Green Dragon soda, pranks, a rich mean girl, Zander's fickleness, and Mac's blossoming friendship with Kyle. There's a lot to like in this series starter: Mac's voice, snippets of her graphic novel, the authenticity, the humor, and the pacing.