Makin' the Grade

Though its characters are cartoonish and its plot comfortably predictable, the first installment in the Rock 'n' Rebels series is written with such enthusiastic abandon that it is hard to dislike. Gio, J.J., Tory and Rikki meet on their way to audition for the famous rock promoter Lenny Victor. Much to their mutual delight, all four are chosen to be a part of his latest project, a band called The Now Crowd. The boys' initial enthusiasm fades when they discover that Lenny doesn't really want them to play onstage; instead, he has hired them as a lip-synching back-up group for the obnoxious lead singer, Sky Jordan. With the help of Gio's sister Frankie, the frustrated rockers stage a rebellion while performing in a variety show. While Gillian Cross's Chartbreaker gives a more accurate account of a rising rock band, this fairy-tale version has its own bubbly appeal. Ages 8-12. (Aug.)