REVIEWS

“This anthology about music hits all the right notes… The 14 entries are sparked by a diverse group of artists, such as Bob Dylan, the Killers, Amy Winehouse, Oasis, and the Eagles. Readers will recognize some of the popular authors who contributed, such as Ellen Hopkins, Ellen Oh, David Arnold, and Elisa Ludwig. The pieces are about more than just the songs and reveal personal philosophies that will resonate even with readers unfamiliar with the music.”

-School Library Journal

"A compilation of stories and essays written by authors and musicians sharing the deep influences of music that helped to shape their lives, particularly calling upon their own adolescences...giving readers glimpses into the personal musical influences of such authors as Ellen Oh and E.C. Myers as well as a haunting essay by musician Donn T."

-Kirkus

“Authors of young adult books and musicians, such as Ellen Hopkins, Donn T., Beth Kephart, and James Howe, select their favorite songs and share inspirational, personal perspectives about ways that ‘music is the soundtrack of our lives’… . Behind the Song is a diverse collection that will appeal to multiple audiences. The content within the collection includes examples of narratives, science fiction, dystopias, drama, and paranormal. The wide spectrum of content allows readers to choose a genre that appeals to them.”

-VOYA Magazine

"This anthology of 14 stories and essays reveals the music and musicians that inspired YA authors and musicians. There are, of course, tales of loss, heartbreak, and romance, as well as sex, drugs, and rock ’n’ roll (Ellen Hopkins), bullying (David Arnold), and the aftermath of an apocalypse (Anthony Breznican). Jonathan Maberry’s particularly moving essay discusses how a Bob Dylan song helped him cope with an abusive childhood, while Beth Kephart writes about her childhood as a competitive skater, and how “Somewhere (There’s a Place for Us),” from the musical West Side Story, “makes displacement visible and gives hope hope.” Other contributors include Donn T, Ellen Oh, and Suzanne Young, with an introduction by singer-songwriter Ameriie. The musicians that inspire them run the gamut from Oasis to Amy Winehouse, Eagles to South Korean girl group 2NE1, and original compositions by James Howe and G. Love are included. Teens will relate to these stories and be inspired by the playlist, even if they are unfamiliar with some of the music."

-Booklist

“Authors include such literary notables as Ellen Oh, James Howe, Beth Kephart, David Arnold and Ellen Hopkins, and others known more for their musical accomplishments, such as Ameriie, Donn T, and G. Love, and the pieces themselves show some diversity in terms of prose genres, including memoirs, stories behind the lyrics, and realistic, magical realist, and speculative fiction.”

-The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books