Everything Amplified

Gr 9 Up–Lippett and Hanaor offer a refreshingly authentic coming-of-age story about music, identity, and sibling duos. Nel, 15, is living in the shadow of her twin brother, Ludo, both at home and at school. Her only escapes are Aunt Jan, best friend Kit, and music. When Nel takes Ludo’s place in a band made up of popular kids, Bea and Alec, she begins to realize that life in the spotlight is not as alluring and easy as her brother makes it seem. Readers will appreciate the beautiful and emotive illustrations that capture the range of feelings these characters experience. With depth and earnestness, the ­dialogue and lovely illustrations capture how everything truly feels amplified during the teenage years. Unfortunately, conflicts between characters are resolved too easily in a way that doesn’t match the richness of the rest of the ­novel, and readers may be left wanting more from secondary characters such as Mom, Ludo, and Bea, who have interesting narratives introduced but never completed. Nel, Ludo, and Bea have pale skin, Kit has tan skin, Alec is Black. ­