Songs for a Teenage Nomad

Songs for a Teenage Nomad
by Kim Culbertson

SONGS FOR A TEENAGE NOMAD by

Category: Contemporary

Age Recommendation: Grades 6+

Release Date: 6/1/07

Publisher: Hip Pocket Press

Reviewed by:

Rating: 5 Stars

Music has a great effect on listeners. It can lift you up when you feel depressed or help to heal a broken heart.

For Calle

it is more than that. Music is her home and her memories. Music is the tie to the father that she's never

known and the

memories of all of the places she has lived.

Calle moved to Andreas Bay after her mom remarried (again) and threw a penny onto a map of California. Unlike

all of

their other moves, Calle finds a place in Andreas Bay. She makes friends, joins theatre, and meets a boy

that she really

likes. Of course, like a great song, her life is complicated. Calle is getting closer and closer to

finding her father, and

does not understand why her mother will not give her any information about him or why she

is keeping her from him.

SONGS FOR A TEENAGE NOMAD is a wonderful book. It is a high school classic reminiscent of THE

PERKS OF

BEING A WALLFLOWER, only it is more appropriate for a slightly younger audience. Calle is a

wonderful character

and, as the reader, you want her to succeed in all areas of her life. You cry when she cries

and laugh when she laughs.

You ask the same questions and try to find the answers. Who is Calle's father? Why

doesn't she see him? Why doesn't

he want to see her? Is there something we don't know?

The most unusual part of this book is that it has a great soundtrack. You are able to listen along with Calle, giving

dimension to her character and the book. The end of the story comes quickly, but it does not take away

from the

enjoyment of the reading. While some of the story lines are neatly tied up, others are not, which makes

the story feel

very real. This is a novel that you will want to experience over and over again, just like a great song.