Violet and the Velvets by Rachael King

Meet Violet Grumble: a music-loving, guitar-toting tween whose dream is to compete at BandChamps. The problem is that none of her friends can play an instrument. Violet won't let that stop her.But things get tougher when the band's gear starts to go missing - what's going on? Can Violet solve the mystery and harness her ADHD powers? Can she help the Velvets overcome stage fright and beat The Alphas at the final showdown?After all, you only need three chords to play a song ... how hard can it be?

Author Rachael King conveys the joy of the DIY punk ethos in this new story, aimed at readers 8 to 12-years-old. It's fast paced and a feel good read, with Violet instantly stealing my heart with her uniqueness and her energy. She feels authentic and wholesome, with an authentic and realistic awkwardness any pre-teen will instantly recognise.

King's characters are all diverse in many different ways - from Violet's ADHD to Mo's non-binary identity, to their physical appearances and likes and dislikes, each character is powerful in their own right. 

There's some wonderful themes within the story, but King doesn't preach to the reader. She's subtle but strong, gently highlighting the power of teamwork, of acceptance, difference and of course, showing young girls they don't have to be singers or proficient musicians to be in a band. 

Illustrations by Phoebe Morris throughout the pages add to the charm. For my less confident reader, having Morris' illustrations added another dimension, with each character leaping from the page. Perfect chapter lengths - just the right length without becoming overwhelming - and plenty of action had our young one devouring this book, giving her the confidence that she can read chapter books.

It's a great story to read aloud too, with plenty of opportunity for the reader to bring it to life with expression and voice.

The first in a series, Violet and the Velvets hits all the right notes.

Reviewer: Rebekah Lyell

Allen & Unwin