My Big Mouth

My Big Mouth: 10 songs I wrote that almost got me killed by Peter Hannan

Summary:

Davis Delaware is not from Delaware. But try telling that to everyone at his new school. When you move in the middle of ninth grade, people are going to think whatever they want about you. If they pay attention at all.

Blending in is fine with Davis. He just wants to doodle in his notebook. Make a few friends. Not rock the boat. Easier said than done. Because when he starts a band called the Amazing Dweebs with beautiful Molly and nerdy Edwin. Davis rocks the boat big-time. And all that rocking gets the attention of school bully Gerald "the Butcher" Boggs. Now Davis is suddenly king of the school - and the Butcher's next target. This can't end well.

Here's the book trailer

Zebrafish

Zebrafish by Peter H. Reynolds

From the cover -- Vita Escolar is ready to rock. She's got a band name, a used guitar, and three chords under her studded belt. All she needs are a few bandmates to complete the picture. Instead, an activist, two gamers, and an artist show up to her audition. None play a lick of music. But when she can't shake em' off, she resigns herself to join them. After all, a virtual band is better than no band... er, right? With a little help from Walt, Tanya, Plinko and Jay, Vita learns that you can't alway get what you want - but you might get what your friends need. And that's way better. On yeah!

I am a fan of Peter Reynolds, his books Ish and The Dot, give encouragement to all of us to not feel afraid or intimidated - to let your creativity flow. And Zebrafish does this in the graphic novel format, whether it's starting a band, drawing a cartoon, playing video games, or starting a movement - the power is there in us. Believe in it, have fun with it, and show it off.

Check out the website www.zebrafish.com, for the book trailer and a cool battle of the bands contest.

Legends of Rock

Legends of Rock by Marjorie Galen and Gordon Matthews

In Legends of Rock, climb into a jukebox time machine to examine the artists and bands that created a new sound and experience. From ground breaking performers such as Chuck Berry and Elvis Presley, all the way up to contemporary acts like Wilco and the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Legends of Rock gives readers a front row seat for the stories behind the superstars. Spanning six decades and featuring some 100 of rock's most influential acts. Each artist's unique story is illustrated with captivating photography, along with behind-the-scenes nuggets, greatest-hits lists, and select discographies. Whether you're punk, a folkie, or just a fan of all things rock and roll, Legends of Rock has something for everyone.

Hard hitting, edgie, fun and packed with info - this is how I'd describe it. I think we'll be needing more than one copy.

Here's a list of the artist's and bands in the book:

AC/DC, Aerosmith, The Allman Brothers Band, The Band, The Beach Boys, The Beatles, Beck, Chuck Berry, Black Sabbath, Blondie, David Bowie, James Brown, The Byrds, Captain Beefheart, Eric Clapton, The Clash, Alice Cooper, Elvis Costello, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Crosby Stills and Nash, The Cure, Bo Diddley, Donovan, The Doors, Bob Dylan, The Eagles, The Faces, Aretha Franklin, Grateful Dead, Guns n' Roses, Jimi Hendrix, Buddy Holly, Jefferson Airplane, Elton John, Janis Joplin, Carole King, The Kinks, Kiss, Led Zeppelin, Jerry Lee Lewis, Little Richard, The Lovin Spoonful, Lynyrd Skynyrd, The Mamas and the Papas, Bob Marley, John Mellencamp, Metallica, Joni Mitchell, Van Morrison, New York Dolls, Nine Inch Nails, nirvana, Parliment-Funkadelic, Gram Parsons, Pearl Jam, Tom Petty, Pink Floyd, The Pixies, The Police, Iggy Pop, Elvis Presley, The Pretenders, Prince, Queen, Radiohead, The Ramones, Red Hot Chili Peppers, R.E.M., The Replacements, Johnathan Richman and the Modern Lovers, The Rolling Stones, The Ronettes, Roxy Music, Santana, The Sex Pistols, The Shangri-Las, Simon and Garfunkel, Sly and the Family Stone, Patti Smith, The Smiths, Bruce Springsteen, Steely Dan, Steve Miller Band, T.rex, Talking Heads, Television, Traffic, Ike and Tina Turner, U2, Van Halen, The Velvet Underground, Tom Waits, The White Stripes, The Who, Wilco, Stevie Wonder, Neil Young, Frank Zappa, ZZ Top.