Book Review: I am (Not) the Walrus by Ed Briant

In I am (Not) the Walrus, Ed Briant's second novel for young adults, protagonist Toby is coming to terms with his missing older brother, recent breakup with his girlfriend and possibly cursed bass guitar as he and his bandmates prepare for their first gig in their Beatles cover band. After finding a mysterious note in the case of the aformentioned bass, Toby embarks on a search for the instrument's rightful owner in an attempt to uncover the truth about both the guitar and his brother. This fast-paced story has enough smart dialogue, mystery and romance to keep readers of all ages engaged and is recommended for anyone looking for a light-hearted read. Beatles fans will enjoy all of the references to their favorite band. - Nick (Downtown Library)

Book Review: The Girl Who Became a Beatle

Meet Regina, the protagonist of The Girl Who Became a Beatle and teenage frontwoman of a Beatles cover band, the Caverns. The band is the center of Regina’s life and when they break up, Regina does what any teenager would do: she wishes she were someone else. Regina soon finds herself fronting the most famous band in the world: a world in which the Beatles never existed; a world in which she owns the entire Beatles songbook. While Regina initially embraces her new role in the universe, she quickly comes to realize the drawbacks of fame and being considered a genius, especially when that genius actually belongs to someone else.

Author Greg Taylor keeps the pace fast and the prose simple, making The Girl Who Became a Beatle a good read for late middle-schoolers and high-schoolers alike, not to mention any Beatle fanatic who would enjoy every clever nod to the Fab Four’s career. - Nick (Downtown)