cover image Battle of the Bands

Battle of the Bands

Melody Reed, illus. by Émilie Pépin. Little Bee, $5.99 trade paper (112p) ISBN 978-1-4998-0564-2

A quartet of culturally diverse third-grade girls gears up to compete in a battle of the bands competition in this cheerful opening title in the Major Eights series, narrated by keyboard player Jasmine. There are some expected bumps: Jasmine commits the group to performing before checking with them, and she picks out a love song for them to play that doesn’t suit anyone. But these and other troubles are tidily resolved as the girls recognize that having fun is more important than winning. There’s little doubt that the Major Eights will surmount their obstacles, but Reed (a pseudonym of Rie Neal) creates real emotional tension along the way. Final art not seen by PW. Simultaneously available: Scarlet’s Big Break. Ages 6–8. [em]Author’s agent: Carrie Pestritto, Prospect Agency. Illustrator’s agency: Bright Agency. (Jan.) [/em]