The Girl Who Became a Beatle Review

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Title: The Girl Who Became a Beatle
Author: Greg Taylor
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Published: January 4, 2011
Genre: YA
Pages: 288
Source: Publisher

When Regina Bloomsbury’s band, the Caverns, breaks up, she thinks it’s all over. And then she makes a wish— “I wish I could be as famous as the Beatles.”

The Beatles are her music idols. The next day, she gets up to find that the Caverns are not just as famous as the Beatles, they have replaced them in history! Regina is living like a rock star, and loving it. There are talk shows, music videos, and live concerts with thousands of screaming fans. And Regina is the star of it all.

But fame is getting the better of Regina, and she has a decision to make. Does she want to replace the Beatles forever?
The Girl Who Became a Beatle follows the story of teenage Regina Bloomsbury. Above all else, Regina is a musician, and when her band, The Caverns, breaks up, she’s devastated. On a whim, Regina makes a wish…wishing that The Caverns could have been as famous as the Beatles. She didn’t count on having a fairy godmother there to grant her wish. The Caverns are suddenly more famous than the Beatles ever were. In fact, the Caverns replaced the Beatles in history, and Regina is thrust into a world of rock and roll, fame, and fortune. But it comes with a price, and Regina has let it go to her head. She has a chocice to make. Does Regina want the Caverns to replace the Beatles forever?

I remember seeing the title for The Girl Who Became a Beatle a while back, but I usually avoid contemps, so I didn’t really pay it any mind. I figured I’d wait for the reviews and give it a go later, based on people’s thoughts. Despite my reservations, The Girl Who Became a Beatle was actually really fun for what it was. Greg Taylor has a fluid, easy-to-read writing style and voice. His prose is simple but sweet, the plot is easy to follow, and he doesn’t convolute the plot points with excessive descriptions that might otherwise cloud the story. The Girl Who Became a Beatle is a fast-paced journey into a life of fame, fortune and excess, showing you the fun, but portraying the pitfalls, too.

I really didn’t have too many qualms with The Girl Who Became the Beatle. Regina, though a bit juvenile for my reading tastes, was a pretty good MC. She transforms from a selfish, egotistical child into a young adult, and the transformation is fun to see. The side characters are good, though perhaps a bit flat – it took me a while to connect with Regina’s father and Julian. Something about him just seemed a bit bland. The plot moved quickly, though I will say that I was lost on a lot of the Beatles references. I know the basics in terms of the Beatles, but that’s about it. The only other thing I would point out if I’m being nit-picky (which I am) is that there is a LOT of dialogue in this book – far more dialogue than descriptions. This was a bit overbearing at times, if you know what I mean.

All in all, The Girl Who Became a Beatle is a cute, fun, and quirky read. I give it a 4 out of 5, and I’d recommend it YA and MG fans who enjoy contemporary fiction and fantasy, especially those who like the Beatles and music, in general.

I received this book free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.

33 comments:

  1. What an excellent and thorough review! I'm definitely a fan of yours now!! :)

    I wouldn't mind checking this book out. When I saw it featured on a few people's TBR lists, I immediately decided I wouldn't want to read a book like that..but now I'm having second thoughts!!

    xo,
    Lah @ Lazy Girl Reads

    ReplyDelete
  2. Looks good >.<
    I don't know if I would read it now
    Kisses,
    Catarina M. (Cathy*)

    ReplyDelete
  3. This is the first time I heard of this book (I do learn about the existence of a lot of book through your blog, really :D). Books that have music references usually pique my interest. Plus, it is pretty hard to resist book that is fun, right?

    I'm so glad that you enjoyed this. I'll be peeking onto others' blogs to see if anyone else read this book and what they might think about it!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Great review Melissa. I grew up with the Beatles, and I have to say I was attracted to this cover, but your review convinced me that I should skip this one...flat characters and excessive dialogue are a deal breaker when there are so many other books out there. Thanks for the helpful, honest review :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. I would have never pick this up but now I'm thinking about it. Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  6. I haven't heard much about this one either since I shy away from contemporary YA for the most part as well, but it sounds like a pretty interesting read. I wonder if I would have noticed all the dialogue if you hadn't pointed it out, now I kind of want to read and see how much there is:)

    ReplyDelete
  7. This book sounds really fun. I'm curious to see how Regina managed to handle that instant Beatles fame. I'll keep this one in mind.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Eeh, excessive dialogue really bugs me. Thanks for the heads up.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I love books which incorporate music! Thanks for bringing this book to our attention! I am definitely going to read this.

    ReplyDelete
  10. What a fun and interesting concept. I like books that venture where no other book has gone before.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Oh I love books with musical elements! I'll have to keep this one in mind! Great review.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Hmm, I have to admit, too much dialogue can ruin a book for me. Sometimes you just need some background/setting info! Nice honest review though, it sounds like a fun book :D

    ReplyDelete
  13. I would get lost too with all those Beatles references! I know the basics stuff, but that's it. :) I like it when a book has music elements involved, like, not love! Great review, it sounds like a nice read.

    ReplyDelete
  14. I hadn't heard of this one before & it sounds like an interesting read. I think I'd probably end up getting lost with some of the Beatles references too though & I'm just not sure if this one appeals to me or not. Fab review though :o)

    ReplyDelete
  15. Sounds kind of cute, but probably not something I would pick up usually. My friend really loves the Beatles, so I might recc this one to her.

    ReplyDelete
  16. i'm so glad this one is good! i can't wait to read it!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Sorry to say that the title would put me off this book. Thanks for your review though, it was interesting to read.

    My best wihes for 2011 to you and yours, here's to many more books.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Thanks for the honest review, Melissa. This book sounds like something I'd enjoy, though I'm not a huge fan of dialogue-heavy books. I may just give it a read.

    ReplyDelete
  19. I seems a very good option for all these Beatles-loving teens - thanks for a splendid review!

    ReplyDelete
  20. I have encountered quite a few books with a lot of dialogue so I know what you mean about it being overwhelming. And I'm slowing getting into contemporary fiction and am finding myself pleasantly surprised.

    I wonder if the references would be lost on me, too. I'm a Beatles fan but you have me curious as to how extensive they are.

    Great review Melissa. Thanks for putting this book on my radar. :D

    ReplyDelete
  21. I agree with you... this is much more an MG than a YA. I'm enjoying it now. Great review.

    ReplyDelete
  22. I may check this one out of the library since you seem to think there's a little too much dialogue.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Great review! I really wish there would have been more of Julian in the story.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Lol, that just sounds very strange, fun, yet strange ;) I do hope the Beatles came back

    ReplyDelete
  25. Wonderful review. I prefer books that have an older YA MC voice but I do love the Beatles.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Great review! I think I'll be giving this book a try, even though I usually like an equal balance of dialogue and description.

    ReplyDelete
  27. This sounds pretty cute! I think the volume of dialogue compared to description would annoy me too, though.

    ReplyDelete
  28. I have seen this one floating around, looks like a fun read. Thanks for the review.

    ReplyDelete
  29. I am kinda wondering why you say you not a fan of contemp novels? I had seen this one too and thought it might be interesting, as an old foggie I would probably get the Beatle references, but I doubt most of the YA crowd would. As always a terrific and honest review. Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  30. This is on the pile of must reads and I can't wait to get to it now. Your taste is similar to mine, so I know I can always count on your opinion! ;)

    ReplyDelete
  31. Great review, Melissa! This sounds like a fun book to read. I’m glad you enjoyed it :)

    ReplyDelete
  32. I actually passed on this one for review because I just didn't think it was for me. It sounds like a cute read, but maybe a little young for my tastes.

    Great review! :)

    ReplyDelete

Thank you so much for taking the time to comment! I always do my very best to return the favour :)

Please note that this blog is an award-free zone!

LinkWithin

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...
Pin It button on image hover