The Band Never Dances - Hardcover

Landis, J. D.

4.32

60 ratings by Goodreads

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 006023721X ISBN 13: 9780060237219

Publisher: Harpercollins Childrens Books, 1989

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Devastated by her brother Jeffrey's suicide, Judy Valentine immerses herself in becoming a great drummer and forms a band with rock musician Strobe, but as her success and her desires conflict with her sadness, she must learn to live again

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From School Library Journal:

Grade 7-10-- Sixteen-year-old Jeffrey Valentine left a suicide note for his younger sister, Judy. Knowing of his sister's dream to play drums in a rock band, he advises her to enjoy life until she's 16, study hard, graduate early, and then go find her band. Out of respect and love for her brother, Judy follows his advice. The plot develops far too slowly, when at age 16 Judy begins to search for her band. Wedding Night, the band she eventually finds, becomes very successful and tours with a stereotyped megastar named Nick Praetorious who decides that he wants Judy in the same way that his fans want him--he wants to possess and own her and will stop at nothing to get her. Readers interested in music and the life of rock musicians may pick this book up, but will be discouraged by the lack of action in the first half of the book. Readers able to persist through the very slow beginning will find that this book's strength lies in its characterization. Judy is particularly well drawn, and readers will be moved by the depth of her feelings for her brother. In the end, they will be rewarded with a moving story of love and growth. However, Cross' Chartbreaker (Holiday, 1987) is a better written and more powerful book on the same subject. --Linda L. Lowry, Baltimore County Public Library, Towson
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Publishers Weekly:

From its opening sentence, this novel (by the author of Joey and the Girls ) never misses a single, driving beat. Landis captures the essence of rock 'n' roll life and music while telling a moving tale of a 16-year-old's growth to maturity and self-knowledge. After graduating from high school, aspiring drummer Judy Valentine sets out in search of a band to play in. She joins up with enigmatic Strobe and together they comb New York City for like-minded musicians and find a bass player, a keyboardist and guitarist, Mark The Music. The five members of Wedding Night move into Strobe's loft to make music and then take their act to every rock dive in the metropolitan area. A record company executive offers the band a contract and Wedding Night is ready to go on tour, a talented group on its way up. Or is it? But by tour's end, Wedding Night is a national phenomenon, with Judy the reluctant star and idol of teen girls across America. The exciting and satisfying climax pairs Wedding Night's triumphant homecoming concert in Madison Square Garden with Judy's bittersweet task of accepting herself, her parents and the haunting suicide of her older brother. Ages 11-14.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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