What they’re saying about Rock On...

--VOYA (Voice of Youth Advocates)

“In this thoughtful tale, sibling rivalry is taken to the next level. Both Ori and Del prove to be likable characters in their own respective ways... A true strength of this title proves to be supporting character Gwyn, who is seamlessly integrated into the story without making her deafness debilitating.”

-- School Library Journal

"Ori’s honest voice will have readers caring about the outcome…Blog entries from the band’s Web site are interspersed, giving an amusing glimpse of the drama among the band’s budding groupies, while third-person flashbacks to Ori’s younger days take readers behind the music—and behind Ori and Del’s strained relationship."

-- Publishers Weekly

"Vega has imbued her tale with well-developed characters...readers will appreciate Ori's gently self-deprecating humor and the lively Web postings and texts woven throughout that help tell the story."

--Booklist

"Ori is a three-dimensional, relatable protagonist whose first-person narrative conveys, with humor and heart, his hopes and insecurities, as well as his journey to find confidence and realize what matters, both onstage and off...This is a smart, absorbing read about music, relationship complexities, and reconciliation."

--Kirkus Reviews

Reader Comment

“Rock On succeeds in capturing something not a lot of young adult novels have successfully mastered: a true, honest, unique, quirky, fun, real family.”

--Victoria Testa, Figment

"I hadn’t heard that much at all about Rock On when I picked it up at ALA, but I was willing to give it a shot, and I’m so glad I did! It was exactly what I needed at the time – light, funny, and different."

--Willa’s Ramblings

"Rock On is an extremely engaging and relatable story. The competition, tension, and underlying anger between two brothers is palpable and anyone who has had sibling issues will be able to relate in some way."

--Story Snoops

"The characters are very realistic and easy to relate to--they could just be another group of kids at your high school--and the story has something for everyone. Whether your in it for the romance or the rivalry, you won't walk away disappointed."

--Reading in the Corner

"I enjoyed how real the relationships in this story felt. Too often the story is more important than the relationships, but this book was made by the ties the characters had to each other."

--The Blonde Reads

"Rock On by Denise Vega is a very natural story. It's one of those "moment in time" stories that I love because of the realism and character study. "

--Chrissy on GoodReads

"I am always on the lookout for realistic fiction to recommend to the YAs in my library and this one fills the bill. I am also going to read at least one other book that Denise Vega has already written. "

--Ken on GoodReads

"I absolutely loved this book, it was fun and rocking but at the same time it had the ability to relate to the everyday topics of family troubles and the lovely joys of teenage romance."

--Erica, 17, Hip Scouts

All of Vega's characters were so clear and such a joy to get to know. They all managed to stand out to me and fly off the pages. I am a huge fan of the website, comments, and people who made those comments. Those sorts of breaks from the story make it fun for me.”

--Kara, 19, Hip Scouts

Rock On: A Story of Guitars, Gigs, Girls, and a Brother by Denise Vega was a unique novel with an unexpected ending. I liked this novel, because it was not predictable and was not filled with cliches.

---Sahaana, 17, Hip Scouts

Orion, better known as Ori, Taylor is sure to win your heart in Denise Vega's new book 'Rock On.' Ori and his band seek stardom (and girls) in a hilarious story line that is often surprising and always endearing.

----Zoey, 18, Hip Scouts

This was an incredibly entertaining book and I found that it was easy to relate to. I especially enjoyed the little webpage tidbits; they provided insightful and exciting side-story action.

-Bryanna, 15, Hip Scouts

“This contemporary read was a welcome breath of fresh air after the seeming never-ending influx of wings, fangs, and fur that seem to be the staples of YA at present... At it's heart, this is a book about love.  The love of two brothers for each other, the love of friends, the love of a girl, and the love of rock and roll.”

-Frishawn Rasheed

Online interview

Check out my Interview on Rock, Paper, Write with Carrie Brown-Wolf.

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