There are so many things I loved about Tara Kelly’s YA debut that it’s hard to know where to start. The main character Drea, is a teenager who’s tired of being defined by her acronyms… ADHD and AS, or Asperger’s Syndrome. I’ve read a few YA novels with main characters on the autism spectrum, but this is the first one that explores that voice from a female point of view, and it does so beautifully. If you enjoyed Marcelo in MARCELO IN THE REAL WORLD, I think you’ll also fall in love with Drea; both characters are so three-dimensional, defined by a whole host of characteristics and gifts, rather than just by their labels. Like MARCELO, HARMONIC FEEDBACK is a coming of age story with a beautifully drawn, unique protagonist.
The secondary characters are pitch-perfect, too. There’s Drea’s loving but imperfect mother, who is begging her to get along with her grandmother, since Drea and her mom have been forced to move in with her for now. There’s Justin, the cute-but-keeping-secrets boy who falls for Drea at her new school. And there’s Naomi, Drea’s first friend in years, who is so full of energy and spirit and so painfully flawed that my heart absolutely ached for her from the minute I met her. The characters in this book feel real through and through, and their journeys are believable and compelling. Teens who love music, especially, will be drawn into Drea’s world.
I can’t share much about the ending without running the risk of spoilers, but let’s just say that I cried. And then I cried again. And it was just perfect. Don’t miss this one, due out in May from Henry Holt. You can read more about it at http://harmonicfeedback.com
I can’t wait to read this book. Since I have an ADHD child, I love books that take fresh and unique twists on the usual–cringe–stereotype. Plus, I’ve read bits of Tara’s work so I know this book will rock big time.
The voice is absolutely incredible. You’ll love it!
I recently finished listening to Marcelo and before that, read Anything But Typical by Nora Raleigh Baskin. I loved them both. I also loved Rules and Emma Jean Lazarus and Along Came Spider. All from a few years ago. Do you know what month Harmonic Feedback’s coming out? It wasn’t online to pre-order.
It comes out in May from Henry Holt (should have included that info…I’ll add it now – thanks!)
ooh, I want it! I loved Marcelo in the Real World. I’ll definitely be picking it up in May.
LOVED this book. I’ve kind of had a dry spell with YA contemporary realism lately, but this one had me up till all hours of the night! Wonderful characters, and oozing with emotional, in-your-face truth.
Oh wow, Kate! Thank you so much for posting this 🙂 I confess to reading your review a billion times *squee*
Hey there,
You can go to http://harmonicfeedback.com and read more about the book if you’d like. On the front page, there are buttons to click on to pre-order from your store of choice 🙂
Thanks for the link, Tara! I’ll add that to the post, too.
You’ll love it. But get the Kleenex ready.
Isn’t it beautiful? Loved the ending.
I loved your book, Tara! Can’t wait to read C-Side, too!
Harmonic Feedback
Sorry that I didn’t see you at Midwinter. I had a great time and picked up a ton of arcs, including (yay) Harmonic Feedback. I finished it last night. It was amazing, intense, lovely. Thanks so much for recommending it.
Drea has some literary female company though, a little sister in Emma Jean Lazarus.
Brenda
Re: Harmonic Feedback
You’re right! I’d forgotten about Emma Jean… and she’ll has more company in 2010. Did you happen to pick up an ARC of Kathryn Erskine’s MOCKINGBIRD? Another MG novel with a young girl with Aspergers, the voice is lovely. Both of those are MG, though – I’m still glad teens have HARMONIC!