“Hugely enjoyable.” School Library Journal **STARRED** review

“…a searing story of redemption…it’s nearly impossible to remain unmoved.” Publishers Weekly

“This special book dares us to embrace audacious hope. Amber Appleton is my hero.” Sara Zarr—author of ONCE WAS LOST and National Book Award finalist STORY OF A GIRL

“Every sentence in SORTA LIKE A ROCK STAR beats with hope and heart. If there ever was a manifesto for living with your heart wide open, for embracing exuberance, for choosing YES and WHY NOT, this book is it.  And Amber Appleton? She is the ambassador of sassy optimism.  This is a must-read, must-quote, must-hug kind of book, the best kind of book there is.” Justina Chen—author of NORTH OF BEAUTIFUL, and NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH (AND A FEW WHITE LIES)

“I love this book so much, it’s almost hard to talk about … the most unforgettable book I’ve read in a really long time.” Jennifer Buehler, Ph.D., readwritethink.org’s Text Messages

“Quick, in his debut young adult novel, gives Amber enough of a quirky edge that her relentless hope in the face of poverty, abuse, and cynicism is inspirational, rather than sentimental, her story alternately comic and painfully moving. There are indeed ‘many worse things in the world’ that one could be than a ‘hopeful misfit.’ Indeed, there are few better.” Claudia Mills, Ph.D., Children’s Literature

“Matthew Quick has given us a teen heroine who makes you laugh when you want to cry and cry when you want to laugh. This funny-sad book keeps you guessing until the very last page about which will win: the humor or the heartache? The answer, lucky reader, is both. In short, Amber Appleton might only be ’sorta like a rock star,’ but she is certain to rock your world.” Dana Reinhardt—author of A BRIEF CHAPTER IN MY IMPOSSIBLE LIFE and HOW TO BUILD A HOUSE

“Completely blown away…the next John Green.” Trish McCarthy—Children’s & YA Events Coordinator, R.J. Julia Booksellers

“I challenge anyone to read SORTA LIKE A ROCK STAR and not come away with a smile and a decision to make the best of what they have – just like Amber Appleton.” Teens Read Too, Gold Star Award for Excellence

“…the world is a better place because Amber is in it.” The Toledo Blade

********************************************************************

From blogs:

“Fast paced and light on its feet, SLARS (as Quick and his fans refer to the book) introduces readers to a town in which nobody and nothing is perfect, except for the quality of caring.  He jazzes the page with quick strokes and bright humor, slipstreaming haikus, a cast of quirks, and a well-spring of only temporarily daunted heart.  No wonder Quick and his wife, writer Alicia Bessette, are on a quest for kindness.  Because, judging from the powerful Sorta Like a Rock Star, kindness fuels Quick’s world.” National Book Award finalist Beth Kephart, Beth Kephart Books

“A cast of characters so real and quirky and different, you want to live inside the book and just be around them. I laughed out loud, and I cried, I mean really CRIED, and when I turned the last page, I shouted to the heavens, more books like this PLEASE!! Award committees – I hope you are listening. Here, maybe if they have their google alerts set: Printz, Printz, Printz, Printz, Printz, Excellence in Young Adult Fiction, ALA, YALSA, Printz, Printz, Printz, Printz!!!” Lisa Schroeder, author of CHASING BROOKLYN, FAR FROM YOU and I HEART YOU, YOU HAUNT ME

“This one is for all of the kids who live outside the edge of normal, all of the kids who have secrets behind what their faces show at school each day, all of the kids who have been picked on, and especially for all of the kids who when faced with the worst, offer up their best.” Myfanwy Collins, Read By Myfanwy

“It’s about the difficulty of hope, how terrible things happen for no reason, how the mechanics of poverty and oppression keep great people down, how they can be combated, and how faith – of many kinds, including in one’s God, in one’s self, and in one’s friends and allies – can be maintained, lost, regained, and blaze like a beacon for others.” Karen Healey, author of GUARDIAN OF THE DEAD, Karen Healey’s LIVEJOURNAL

“…this book has a sorta genius way of working.  It does not read like a serious work of literature, and yet it has all that good, meaty stuff going on underneath it all. With discussions of faith, the meaning of life, and why bad things happen to good people, this book will have massive appeal to readers that enjoyed Francisco X. Stork’s Marcelo in the Real World.” Jennifer Barnes, Baby I Was Born To Read

“One thing I want to call out in particular is the portrayal of Amber’s autistic best friend, Ricky Roberts.  … I was impressed that Ricky was portrayed as a normal kid, with normal capabilities, who wasn’t held back by his autism. He isn’t described as mentally challenged—his autism is a part of who he is and he lives a fairly normal life… Quick’s handling of Ricky’s dialogue was particularly impressive. I have an autistic cousin who is graduating from high school this year and I could almost hear him in my head as I read Ricky’s dialogue.” T.S. Ferguson

“I just finished reading Sorta Like a Rock Star by Matthew Quick … It’s one of those very special reads which I didn’t want to put down  … It most certainly will be one of my top ten for the PSLA Top Forty Book Review Committee!” Mary Schwander

“If you want to read a book that’s going to put a smile on your face and touch that Grinch heart of yours, SORTA LIKE A ROCK STAR is guaranteed to do the trick.” Ken Wheaton, author of THE FIRST ANNUAL GRAND PRAIRIE RABBIT FESTIVAL, The Word O’ Wheaton

“Sorta Like a Rock Star is a book that will empower its readers with an incredible appreciation for life. With its remarkable Amber Appleton, a main character nearly unmatched by any in the ability to find hope in darkness and penetrate anybody’s cold heart with the warmth of her personality, it will give you the urge to dance the Spanish Flamenco.” Wordbird

“I just loved this book … Consider it a story to get you thinking about how you might live your own life a bit more thoughtfully, considerately, optimistically.  I would also add that besides being a great story, I thought this was really well written.” Sarah’s Book Journal

“Sorta Like a Rock Star isn’t a typical novel. It’s got faith, hope, haikus, dogs, a Marketing Club, old people, Korean soul singers and a variety show. It’s a fairy tale story, inspirational and heartwarming and a little bit sad. While the characters have a wealth of eccentricities, that doesn’t make them feel any less real. And in Amber, Matthew Quick has created a princess worthy of this fairy tale. Not unlike My Most Excellent Year by Steve Kluger, Sorta Like a Rock Star is an enchanting book that will sweep you away.” librarian by day

“This is a …wow… book. Any expectations I might’ve had were blown away. This book is just so. freaking. hopeful.” (microwave safe) book reviews – Definitely Recommended books