Space band by Tom Fletcher
This book is one of the most enjoyable middle grade novels I've come across. It is entertaining while managing to deliver a lovely message around celebrating differences. For reluctant or struggling readers there are multiple devices employed to grab interest immediately, and to keep pages turning. It is the newest release from Tom Fletcher, author of The Christmasaurus, The Danger Gang, and The Creakers.
The book is the first-person account of 10-year-old George Racket. He is lead singer and bass player of ‘The Earthlings’, described as 'the worst band in the world'. George narrates daily life and jots down his song-writing as he goes. The clever thing here is that each song he writes has a QR code with a direct link to Spotify/Apple music to hear it played by UK boy-band McFly. This allows children to read along with the lyrics as they are sung, and encourages deeper connection with the text as well as providing a huge incentive to keep reading to get to the next song! The songs are mostly short and silly and so much fun.
The story itself centres on George and his bandmates - Bash (drums) is a complete space fanatic, and Neila (lead guitar) suffers from stage fright. They are preparing to play at their school's Battle of the Bands when suddenly they are beamed up into space and find themselves centre stage at an intergalactic music contest.
Children who love space science will enjoy the facts throughout this book, while those who love music and performing will relish the concert scenes, and those who prefer laughs will delight in the gross alien descriptions and general silliness throughout.
As well as the songs/QR codes, Fletcher also includes three space-comic double-page spreads which add to the story and keep interest high. Mix in a variety of font styles, bold type, heaps of black and white line illustrations, and a mystery to solve, and this book really has it all to hook readers of all ages and abilities.
Themes: Adventure, Space, Music, Friendship, Diversity, Mystery.
Kylie Grant