Monday, August 2, 2010

Teen books (and more!) that rock

Sometimes music's all you have to get you through the ups and downs of teenage life. To further help you through the angst, here's a list of books, songs and other resources that rock.

Fiction
Fat Kid Rules the World by K. L. Going, 2003
Depressed, obese and suicidal 17 year old Troy gets a new lease on life when he becomes the drummer for a rock band lead by a homeless guitar virtuoso.

If I Stay by Gayle Foreman, 2009
Comatose Mia, a classical ceilist and musical virtuoso has a tough choice to make - should she live or should she die? Her decision hinges on her promising musical future, as well as her love for her punk rocker boyfriend.

Born to Rock by Gordon Korman, 2006
Leo Caraway is as straight-laced as 17 year olds get. He's got a 4.0 GPA, is president of the young Republicans club and has an early acceptance to Harvard. However his quiet suburban world is rocked once he learns his biological father is a punk rock legend.

Master of Reality by John Darnielle, 2008
Locked up in a California psychiatric ward in 1985, Roger Painter is distraught when his heavy metal tapes are siezed by the nurses leaving him with little connection to the outside world. What follows is his attempt to steal back and reclaim the music that is so intrinsic to his identity retold via intensely personal journal entries.

Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist by Rachel Cohn & David Levithan, 2006
Nick asks Norah to be his girlfriend for five minutes in order to avoid his ex at a rock show, but what ensues is a wild night of concert-hopping in New York City. A sudden and offbeat romance follows.

Audrey, Wait by Robin Benway, 2008
Imagine if your ex wrote a song about your break-up and it becomes a huge hit? Well, that's what happens to Audrey. Her life is turned upside down by the sudden fame and becomes a prime target for the paparazzi.

Heavy Metal and You by Christopher Krovatin, 2005
When metalhead Sam falls in love with preppy, straight-edge Melissa, his identity begins to come into question. He gives up all his favorite vices, including getting wasted all for the girl of his dreams. But does falling in love mean you have to lose yourself (and your love of Slayer) along the way?

Beige by Cecil Castellucci, 2007
Shy, French-Canadian Katy reluctantly travels from Montreal to L.A. to spend time with her estranged father. Of course her two-week stay feels like a lifetime considering he's her polar opposite -an aging punk rocker and recovering addict.

I Wanna Be Your Joey Ramone by Stephanie Kuehnert, 2008
Punk rocker obsessee Emily decides to stop sleeping with rock gods in order to become one. But her rise to success isn't all its cracked up to be, especially as she yearns to reconnect with the mother who abandoned her when she was just four months old. An awesome tale of a riot grrl power.


Hairstyles of the Damned by Joe Meno, 2004
Hairstyles of the Damned follows a year in the life of awkward, metal fan Brian and his tumultuous feelings for pink-haired, fight-provoking punker Gretchen.

Scott Pilgrim series by Bryan Lee O'Mailey, 2004-present
This series of graphic novels follows 23 year-old slacker Scott Pilgrim, the bassist for Sex Bob-Omb. He falls in love with Ramona, but must defeat her seven evil exes in order to actually date her.

Non- Fiction

Fargo Rock City by Chuck Klosterman 2001
Heavy Metal is an all consuming force in this hilarious memoir about growing up in the middle of nowhere North Dakota.

Cassette From My Ex: Stories and Soundtracks of Lost Loves, Editted by Jason Bitner, 2009
Based on the blog of the same name, CFME is a compilation of essays by music writers (including yours truly) about real-life mixtapes from past significant others, including one by about the awkwardness of losing your virginity to Pearl Jam. Track lists to all the mixes are included, because sometimes you just can't separate the song from the break-up.


Our Band Could Be Your Life: Scenes From the American Indie Underground 1981-1991 by Michael Azerrad, 2002
A true-life account of how so many teenage-fronted bands in the 80s and 90s including Minor Threat and Black Flag ruled the underground and even started their own record labels. They had a truly profound impact on anti-establishment politics and subcultures. A really inspiring read, seriously this book could be your life.

Can't Stop Won't Stop: A History of the Hip-Hop Generation by Jeff Chang, 2005
Based on hundreds of interviews, Jeff Chang has created one of the most comprehensive histories of the genre. All aspects of hip-hop culture including break-dancing and graffiti art, as well as the political impact, activism and commercialization of the music is covered. A must for b-boys and b-girls alike.

The Playlist

The Mountain Goats - Dance Music off The Sunset Tree, 2005
A young John Darnielle learns "what the volume knob is for". Turning the music up is his only salvation, as he grows up in a household steeped in tumult and abuse in the 1970s. He definitely would have been a member of the Madman Underground, but seriously, the song sounds a lot happier than its subject matter. "When the police come to get me, I'll be listening to dance music!"


Tiny Masters of Today - Skeletons off Skeletons, 2009
At ages 13 and 11, siblings Ivan and Ida formed a band. It even got the attention of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs and David Bowie. Not bad for kids who haven't even entered high school yet.


Minor Threat - Straight Edge off Minor Threat EP, 1981
Loud and brash these high schoolers took a different approach to rebellion - abstinence. By NOT getting drunk or high like many of their peers, they challenged the notion of the rebellious teenager with this punk rock manifesto. Sample lyrics:
I've got better things to do
Than sit around and fuck my head
Hang out with the living dead
Snort white shit up my nose
Pass out at the shows
I don't even think about speed
That's something I just don't need

I've got the straight edge




Art Brut - Formed a Band off Bang Bang Rock & Roll, 2005
Brash and ultra-British these guys (and girl) rock hard, singing about how awesome it is to form a band, discover rock and roll and see girls naked (TWICE!).

Bonus Track: Good Weekend



The Hold Steady - Constructive Summer, off Stay Positive, 2008
An anthem praising the virtues staying out all night, and listening to classic punk, especially The Clash. "Raise a toast to Saint Joe Strummer, I think he might have been our only decent teacher!"
Bonus Track: Certain Songs off Almost Killed Me, 2004
Here's a perfect recollection of a boozy night out "She goes low on the seats when she gets high in her car" and then she goes into the bar and peruses the jukebox. "Certain songs, they get so scratched into our souls"



The Smiths - Half a Person off Louder Than Bombs
, 1987
Ok so this one's not really about music, per se, but check out the lyrics,
"If you have five seconds to spare I'll tell you the story of my life
Sixteen, clumsy and shy, that's the story of my life
."
Who can't relate?


And more...
GLEE, 2009 - the present
The TV show about a misfit bunch of kids forming a show choir in Ohio is chock full of humor, heartbreak and awesome musical numbers. It also does a nice job toying with stereotypes. Gotta love the "Single Ladies" dancing football player.


Willie Mae Rock Camp for Girls

Every summer girls between the ages of 8 and 18 gather to learn instruments, form bands, write songs and put on concerts. Sure beats building log cabins out of popsicle sticks. More info here