Register

GHS Library

Amplified

Posted by Tammy Burns at 4/15/2012

Amplified      Jasmine Kiss has had enough.  She is tired of trying to be what her cardiologist father wants her to be.  Jasmine is also tired of her father trying to keep her away from everything her mother loved -- the mother that left them when she was 6.  Determined to do what she wants, Jasmine defers her entrance to Stanford University and drives into Santa Cruz in a smoking car (literally) to chase her dream - to be the lead guitarist in an Industrial Rock band.  Short on money, a working car, and a job, Jasmine is solely relying on fate and a little bit of luck.  

     Jasmine plays (and lies-telling them she had played in front of a live crowd) her way into C-Side, an Industrial Rock band that just happens to have a room to rent as well.  With her best friend, Jason, in Maui, enjoying the summer before college, Jasmine has no one to rely on but herself.  Until that is the worst thing in the world happens - she freezes in a live performance.  Jasmine finds out not everyone is against her and develops a close friendship with Veta and a little more with Veta's brother, Sean.  Determined to prove her worth to the band and her father, Jasmine will fight until the end, but will it be enough?

     This is a super cute little story to read.  Has just the right amount of grit, determination, and romance.  The language throughout the book is enough to keep it real for the average teen.  I really enjoyed how Tara Kelly evolved Jasmine's character from someone who refused to rely on anyone and had a lot of emotional hang-ups to someone who found out that she could do what she had set out to do and it was all right to ask for help.  In a time of dark stories, this is a lighter read that is sure to be enjoyed by many.

Genre:  Chick-lit

Recent

By Month