Book Review: VIP: I'm With the Band by Jen Calonita

Title: VIP: I'm With the Band
Author: Jen Calonita
Publisher: Little Brown Books for Young Readers
Release Date: December 1, 2015
Pages: 336
Source: ALA
Format: Paperback Galley
Age Group: Middle Grades
Genre: Kids Fiction

           

Twelve-year-old Mackenzie "Mac" Lowell's dreams have come true. Thanks to her mom scoring the coolest job EVER, Mac is going from boy band fanatic to official tour member of her favorite group, Perfect Storm. Good thing she's brought along her journal so she can record every moment, every breath, and every one of lead singer Zander Welling's killer smiles in written detail and daydreamy doodles.

But between a zillion tour stops and pranks gone wrong, Zander and his fellow band members, Heath Holland and Kyle Beyer, become more like brothers to Mac. When the boys' differences start to drive them apart, can Perfect Storm's biggest fan remind them why they'reperfect together? It'll be up to Mac--and her comic-book alter ego, Mac Attack--to keep the band together and on the road to stardom

Chronicling her experiences on tour, Mac's journal springs to life with black-and-white illustrations and comic-book panels throughout its pages.

The book I’m With the Band reminds me of one of my dream’s come true.  But instead of being with a boy band, I would much rather be with Justin Bieber. The main character in the book is named Mac which is short for Mackenzie. Her mom works for a touring agency and when she is asked to mange the tour of her daughter's favorite band, there was no way she would turn that down. At first when Mackenzie comes home she thinks they are moving but in reality they are just going on a tour with a band just normal every day things… when Mackenzie hears the news she is so excited but sad to leave her friends behind. To be honest who wouldn’t be?

The book shows what friendships really are made of. Mackenzie really learns that a celebrity’s life is hard and not all fun and games. She also learns that celebrities are just like regular people and have their flaws just like everyone else. Through it all, she somehow manages to make it out alive! Not only has she made some really cool friends, she has also had an experience that not many people get to have. The author Jen Calonita really shows what friendships are made of and why they are so special in people's lives. In the end, the theme of the story is clearly shown, family is always first.