Stella is a drummer in an old-school rock band, which could be awesome if they could only find a singer. Enter Tamara Donnelly, a former pop-group star who doesn't exactly fit their style. But Stella knows Tamara's voice is fantastic and hopes, with Tamara's help, to get into an upcoming local festival. The problem is that their sound is too edgy for the conservative judges. Should they change their style to please a crowd or should they stick with their roots? Packed with musical references, this behind-the-music drama, part of the Orca Limelights line, touches lightly upon issues such as race and weight and how they are viewed in the music world. Things work out a bit too perfectly for the group, and fame seems easily within their reach by the end. Despite these potential flaws, this remains a pleasing choice for high/low readers with an interest in the music biz.

Two new releases from the Limelights series chronicle the burgeoning talents of an aerialist and a rock musician, respectively. Learning the Ropes finds aerialist Mandy at the Montreal Circus College summer camp. This is a dream come true, as Mandy wants nothing more than to commit her life to the circus as a premier rope climber. Unfortunately, she feels pressure not only from her disapproving father but also from the other performers she is competing against for a full-time spot in the school. Soon the pressure and distractions begin to affect her training. If she is to realize her lifelong dream, Mandy will have to learn to trust in herself.In The Frail Days, Stella Wing has big dreams for her band, one of the few rock bands left in the crush of pop sounds and girl groups. She has the talent, the look, and two solid band mates, but no singer. So when they hear Tamara Donnelly rock "The Star Spangled Banner" at a baseball game, she thinks she may have found her sound. The only problem is that Tamara is a former bubble-gum pop singer, and the two of them have different ideas for the future of the band.These Limelights releases are inspirational stories about teen girls working to achieve their goals. The books tackle more than perseverance and ambition, however; both also address female competition, body image, and the pressure of gender expectations for young girls in society. The stories draw lines between healthy and unhealthy female friendships and empower readers to be true to themselves when faced with societal or peer pressure. The stories are quick, bite-sized reads, but they pack a punchthe well-developed stories have relatable characters and entertaining plots. These books will appeal to a diverse audience of young female readers.Courtney Huse Wika.