Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.49 AVERAGE
3.49 AVERAGE
A suprisingly sad look at the life of a teen idol... who would have thought that reading this would make me feel back for Justin Beiber?
Yikes. Poor Jonny. I have no way of knowing how accurate this portrayal of a child pop star is, but it certainly seems believable. Not that I enjoy the brain of an 11-year old boy, famous or not, but it was certainly compelling.
This is a fun book. Not something I would pick up normally, but I'm glad that I had to read it for class. First, it's a SUPER easy read. And it's something that I would never normally read about. I definitely have a new perspective on celebrities' lives now. It's surprisingly disturbing.
A well told story which kept my interest, but seemed like just that, a story…not entirely real and the book didn’t impart to me anything I didn’t already know or rather presupposed about celebrity life or child stars. Jonny (obviously modeled on Justin Bieber) is a child singing prodigy and popular pre-teen idol who lives in virtual isolation, surrounded by adults who often don’t have his best interests at heart, in particular his momanager, Jane. Some of the thoughts that Jonny had seemed in keeping with a cloistered 11 year old, but how is it he doesn’t know what a blow job is, but can use the phrase “gimlet eye”?
This was a compelling read in many ways, but not a very likable story or set of characters. Comparisons to Holden Caulfield did nothing for me either, since I hated The Catcher in the Rye. Also, the flap called this book hilarious, which it definitely wasn't; it was funny at times, but far from hilarious. That being said, I thought the story provided a harsh look at child stars, and our celebrity-obsessed, consumer society.
I had fun with this. It wasn't as bubble-gummy as I'd first suspected, and Jonny has stuck with me in the oddest ways since reading it. I feel maternal towards the poor kid, I guess, even though I would find him fairly impossible if he were suddenly thrust into my life. (Good thing it's fiction and therefore unlikely.) Wayne really boiled up a mess of emotions and issues regarding the tween star thing, and good on him.
I had fun reading this book, but I didn't love it. It's a well-written account of the life of a child pop-star. I really enjoyed some of the characters -- especially Walter and Jonny -- but overall, it just wasn't my type of book.
I really enjoyed this. The author gets into the head of an 11 year old pop star and tells a great compelling story. I could hear the kid's voice in my head. Great read.
The Song of Jonny Valentine is a book that I really wanted to like, so much so that I read over 200 of the 290 or so pages before giving up. I thought this story of a tween idol would be fun, enjoyable reading... Sadly, no.
Jonny is an 11-year-old pop star with an overbearing, over-drinking, and over-the-top mother as his manager. Other characters include Walter, Jonny's quietly comforting bodyguard; Nadine, his strict yet sweet tutor; Rog, his past-his-prime voice coach; and various other celebrities including rock stars, pop stars, and more. Jonny's relationships are complicated, as expected for an 11-year-old prodigy.
Jonny grew up in St. Louis. His exceptional voice was discovered in second grade, and he blew up via YouTube shortly thereafter. His path to fame was a nonstop rocket and he's been flying ever since. His mother Jane is a shrewd businesswoman, constantly looking for the next deal and protecting Jonny from the tabloids and paparazzi. Dad is out of the picture and Jane refuses to talk about him.
I think the reason I had such a tough time with this book is because I couldn't stand Jonny Valentine. He is self-absorbed and conceited, which I guess is to be expected, but as a narrator it's annoying. Some of the language felt too forced, like the author wanted to be cool and hip, but doesn't actually know how the aught Tweens communicate. Jonny's constant reference to pervy child predators seemed excessive. And lastly, his forays into adolescent rebellion were lame and seemed unrealistic.
Jonny is an 11-year-old pop star with an overbearing, over-drinking, and over-the-top mother as his manager. Other characters include Walter, Jonny's quietly comforting bodyguard; Nadine, his strict yet sweet tutor; Rog, his past-his-prime voice coach; and various other celebrities including rock stars, pop stars, and more. Jonny's relationships are complicated, as expected for an 11-year-old prodigy.
Jonny grew up in St. Louis. His exceptional voice was discovered in second grade, and he blew up via YouTube shortly thereafter. His path to fame was a nonstop rocket and he's been flying ever since. His mother Jane is a shrewd businesswoman, constantly looking for the next deal and protecting Jonny from the tabloids and paparazzi. Dad is out of the picture and Jane refuses to talk about him.
I think the reason I had such a tough time with this book is because I couldn't stand Jonny Valentine. He is self-absorbed and conceited, which I guess is to be expected, but as a narrator it's annoying. Some of the language felt too forced, like the author wanted to be cool and hip, but doesn't actually know how the aught Tweens communicate. Jonny's constant reference to pervy child predators seemed excessive. And lastly, his forays into adolescent rebellion were lame and seemed unrealistic.