VIP Battle of the Bands Blog Tour

Best Boy Bands by Jen Calonita

Author of the VIP series. Battle of the Bands, the second book, is out now.

I loved this book, you can read my review here.

Writing a middle grade series about a girl who gets to go on the road with her favorite boy band when her mom gets a job with them wasn't a stretch for me. It was my life-long dream for me. When I was Mackenzie's age, my bedroom walls were wallpapered with posters of New Kids on the Block. My drawers were filled with NKOTB t-shirts, and my bed had a New Kids comforter and sheet set. My heart though, only belonged to one band member, Joey McIntrye. I slept on a pillowcase with his face on it for years. 

When I grew up and got to interview Joey for my magazine, it was the first time I was ever really starstruck. I could barely speak. All I could think was: "We were imaginary married and now I'm sitting and talking to you." 

I was a bit more composed when I met my second favorite band, 'NSync. I loved getting to hang with the guys backstage before a few concerts to report on the shenanigans for work and I loved their music. Whenever the opportunity came up to do something with 'Nsync, I practically begged to be assigned the gig. I flew to Toronto to interview Joey Fatone and Lass Bass on the set of their movie, interviewed Joey on Broadway and got to hang with all the guys before concerts. 

One of my favorite pictures from my Teen People days is one of me with the guys (I still use it for school visits). If I had to list other bands I loved, none would come close to NKOTB or 'Nsync, but I did like Backstreet Boys, and I routinely run to One Direction tunes. I have a feeling once you fall for a boy band your heart always belongs to them. At least mine does. I can't wait to see which boy band my heart falls for next. 

Do you have a favorite boy band? Let us know in the comments! 

Tween Tuesday Review: VIP Battle of the Bands

 * Book 2 in the VIP series *

Mac is still living her dream and touring with her favorite band. Perfect Storm is on the rise and loving their time. They're recording some new music, including a song about Mac.

That is until a new up and coming band steals the song and records it first. Now the boys of Perfect Storm are angry and want revenge.

Because both bands are with the same studio, they're sent out on tour together. Of course this starts an all out war between the two bands. And it looks like perfect storm is going down from their behavior and all their most private secrets share with the public. Someone is clearly sabotaging them. Can Mac figure it out before the band breaks up?

My Thoughts: I loved the sequel. I loved getting to know the guys more. I loved the comics. Again the art was cool and Mac became more confidence on page. I felt bad for the guys as their world came apart and their secrets were shared. I can't imagine the pressure these guys must be under and how awful it would be to have your secrets spilled out into the world. No one made great choices here. I liked the vlogger angle and how the played out. A fantastically fun sequel and I can't wait to read more about Mac and her friends and the guys.

Cover Thoughts: Cute
Source: Sent for Review
Release Date: Out Today
Library Recommendation:  Highly recommended for tween collections, this one will fly off the shelves.

Author Interview: Jen Calonita and Giveaway

photo source: http://www.teenwritersbloc.com/2011/02/28/author-interview-jen-calonita-finds-theres-place-home/

I've been a huge fan of Jen Calonita's forever! I finally got the change to meet her last year! And I'm thrilled to have her on the blog talking about her new middle grade book VIP:I'm with the Band (and if you missed my post yesterday, check out what I think of the book! Spoiler: It's fantastic)

Do you have a favorite Boy Band? Have you ever met them?

My favorite boy band of all time is New Kids on the Block. Like Mac, I wrote to the band and asked them to a school dance. Joey McIntyre's mom wrote me back and I still have the postcard! I did eventually meet Joey when I was an entertainment editor at a teen magazine, but I never told him about my crush or the fact that I still had mail from his mother. All I could think when I saw him was: I slept on a pillow with your face on it for YEARS.

They were HUGE in late Elementary school. I was a fan too. 

Then:

Photo credit: http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20174022,00.html

Now:

Photo credit: http://concerts.eventful.com/New-Kids-On-The-Block

Why do you think boy bands are so popular?

I know for me, I just love great pop music. And when you combine an awesome pop song with great vocals and a cute group of boys singing them, the combo can't be beat. They are the ultimate crush.

Would you rather be in a band or tour with the band?

Tour with the band for sure! Then I'd get to hang out with them and have none of the pressure of performing or dealing with the media! 

Will there be more VIP books?

Yes! The sequel to I'M WITH THE BAND is called BATTLE OF THE BANDS and it pits Mac and Perfect Storm up against a new pop duo called Thunder and Lightening. The two groups do not get along and poor Mac gets thrown in the middle! BATTLE OF THE BANDS comes out in July 2016.

I'm so glad there will be more books!

What are you working on now?

I'm working on the third book in the Fairy Tale Reform School series, which will be called TRICKED. Rumplestiltskin is a big thorn in Gilly's side in this book and he's so much fun to write about! 

Sounds fun!

Anything I didn't ask?

My favorite color? It's green. If I have a dog? The answer is yes and his name is Captain Jack Sparrow. He's the feistiest Chihuahua in the world! :)

Doesn't this book sound great? Well you're in luck! Jen Calonita will gift one to a lucky reader (SIGNED)
(sorry - US only!)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tween Tuesday Review: VIP: I'm with the Band

Mac and her friends Love the band Perfect Storm. Thanks to her mother, not only do they score tickets to see the band, but backstage passes to meet them. Mac can't believe her good luck when she finally gets to talk with her crush Zander. He's everything she hoped he would be.

Then her mother tells her even more good news. Because of her mother's job, she and Mac will be touring with the band. Mac doesn't want to leave her friends behind, but she can't imagine anything cooler.

As she gets to know the guys, she witnesses their off camera behavior. Could her crush not be the boy she thought he was?

My Thoughts: I Loved this book; I couldn't put it down. I really loved Mac's love for art and the comic book pages of her alter-ego Mac Attack. I loved Mac hanging out with the band and becoming one of the guys: from the whipped cream fights to the touring cities together to showing off their art. I loved Mac's relationship with her friends and her new friendship with Jilly. Mac messed up at times, but I love how she pulled it together and tried to do the right thing. I can't wait for more books about Mac and Perfect Storm.

Cover Thoughts: Cool
Source: ARC from the Little Brown Book Preview

Stay tuned tomorrow for a chance to win a signed copy of the book and an interview with the author!

Final Thoughts: Perfect for music loving tweens and for nolastigc adult readers