From a review posted on a librarian's listserv:
Yesterday, someone posted an email about a collegue at their school who is just discovering the joy of reading YA but was wondering if there was any that wasn't so depressing. Well, I just finished a book yesterday that is not depressing in the slightest. It is light-hearted and full of hope, which by the way is the main theme.
The book is titled Sorta Like A Rockstar and is by Matthew Quick. It tells a story of a young girl named Amber who spreads hope throughout her neighborhood and her school even though she lives on a school bus with her mom. Yep, she is homeless and goes hungry almost nightly but that doesn't stop her from spreading smiles wherever she goes. Until something unthinkable happens. It affects Amber to the core and she finds herself suffering from the worst kind of depression you can have. But just when you start to think that this book is going to turn out to be another depressing YA, the community members start to rally around her. And in the end, you discover that the kindness you give to others will come back to you when you need it the most. Very uplifting and inspiring ending.
Ages 13 and up 384 pages
Recommended by Brenda Lemon, Librarian (Kansas)
