Set in the world of Valentine middle school, with character appearances from Squad Goals (2021) and Cookie Monsters (2023), Kendrick's latest novel features Lyric Whitney Houston Darby, the diva-daughter of hit singer Jade Darby. While Lyric wants to have an off-the-charts singing career right now, please and thank you, her music-industry-savvy parents keep saying not yet; they want her to have a normal childhood. Lyric takes matters into her own hands, auditioning for a TV singing competition, which she then prioritizes over her prior commitment to the school musical. When her newfound fame goes to her head, her friendships and the school play suffer. Kendrick explores both what it takes to be a good friend and the difference between being confident and being a diva. The way Lyric focuses on pleasing her followers at the expense of hurting those closest to her speaks to some of the risks of social media. Lyric's rise and fall with fame shows the dangers of suppressing emotions and taking people for granted, with an emphasis on mental health and therapy.

Twelve-year-old Lyric Whitney Houston Darby feels destined to be a starHer best friends, Saanvi Patel and Georgia Reign, support her every step of the way. Her mother found fame with her band (called Love, Jade), and Lyric feels that now is her chance to do the same. The next competition for the TV showAmerican Rockstar will be in her hometown of Santa Monica, California. Her mother insists that the show exploits young people and offers them unfair contracts, but Lyric is determined and secretly takes the steps necessary to enter. For example, getting cast as Dorothy in her school's production ofThe Wiz meets the "experience" requirement for entry. But as Lyric works to grow her social media following, she quickly learns the true cost of fame as she gets wrapped up in stardom and begins to neglect important parts of her life. Witty prose and modern preteen slang make this an enjoyable and entertaining read. Readers get a glimpse into the life of a girl who, despite all the positives in her life, still grapples with "mental monsters." Kendrick discusses therapy and the importance of protecting your mental health, as well as being your true self and a good friend. Lyric's mom is Black, and her dad is white; there's ample racial diversity in the supporting cast.A relatable story of navigating ambition and relationships, with valuable mental health representation.(Fiction. 8-12)

Gr 5–8— Lyric Whitney Houston Darby, 12, has always known what she wants to be: a star! With parents in the music industry and a voice that people love to listen to, she knows it is her time. When the competition show American Rockstar holds tryouts in town, she goes against her mom's wishes. But there are a few requirements: you must have industry experience and at least 10,000 followers on Instagram. Now with the help of her best friends, Twinkie and Georgia, Lyric must perform for American Rockstar , get the leading role in her school's play, and figure out how to get all those followers. Can she accomplish that without losing who she is? Although this novel hits all the right notes for tweenagers, the execution is flawed. Lyric's diva attitude is hard to overlook, as is how she treats everyone around her. The one thing that rings true is when the characters are talking about what is going on in their lives in the group sessions. Readers may also struggle with the slang terms, as they go out of fashion as quickly as they come in. VERDICT General purchase for libraries needing quick realistic fiction reads.— Heather Lassley