The Line
by Courtney Brandt
by Courtney Brandt
THE LINE by Courtney Brandt
Category: Contemporary
Age Recommendation: Grades 9+
Release Date: 2/14/07
Publisher: iUniverse
Reviewed by: Cana Rensberger
Rating: 4 Stars
THE LINE is a novel for all those band geeks out there. If you are a percussionist, you’ll feel right at home as the
Forrest Hills High School drum line prepares for a new season of football games and competitions.
Lucy has spent weeks preparing for her audition to be a member of The Battery. Once she makes it, she finds out that
being the only girl on the line has special challenges. Especially when the hot cymbal player she’s been crushing on
leaves no doubt that he’s interested in a relationship. Lucy will have a boyfriend to take her to the homecoming dance!
But, of course, it’s not that simple. Lucy has also met another guy and can’t stop thinking about him. That fact that he’s
the Captain of the rival drum line makes the situation even more complicated. Is it possible to date two guys from
different schools? Should she tell them about each other? What if they find out that they are competitors, not only for
Lucy, but on the drum line competition field as well?
Once Lucy opts for truth, she realizes it’s not fair to the boys who both want to date her exclusively. Who will she
choose? Nevada, the flashy cymbal player from her own line? Or Sam, from the rival line, who liked her even after
finding out who she was? Will Lucy find out the secret that has fueled the rivalry between the two drum lines? And who
is that mysterious cyber-buddy that’s always on-line for her?
The beginning of this book is a little slow starting, with a fair amount of telling. But don’t let that discourage you. Lucy
will draw you in. The fun tension between the drum lines and the boys will make you want to read on. You will
inevitably pick who you want Lucy to choose and you won’t be disappointed. It took me back to my band days, those
bus trips, the pranks in the band room, and the rush you feel when you compete with high honors. My 12-year-old
daughter took this book away from me and read it in a day. She and I agree that this book was a fun read with a highly
satisfying ending.
Category: Contemporary
Age Recommendation: Grades 9+
Release Date: 2/14/07
Publisher: iUniverse
Reviewed by: Cana Rensberger
Rating: 4 Stars
THE LINE is a novel for all those band geeks out there. If you are a percussionist, you’ll feel right at home as the
Forrest Hills High School drum line prepares for a new season of football games and competitions.
Lucy has spent weeks preparing for her audition to be a member of The Battery. Once she makes it, she finds out that
being the only girl on the line has special challenges. Especially when the hot cymbal player she’s been crushing on
leaves no doubt that he’s interested in a relationship. Lucy will have a boyfriend to take her to the homecoming dance!
But, of course, it’s not that simple. Lucy has also met another guy and can’t stop thinking about him. That fact that he’s
the Captain of the rival drum line makes the situation even more complicated. Is it possible to date two guys from
different schools? Should she tell them about each other? What if they find out that they are competitors, not only for
Lucy, but on the drum line competition field as well?
Once Lucy opts for truth, she realizes it’s not fair to the boys who both want to date her exclusively. Who will she
choose? Nevada, the flashy cymbal player from her own line? Or Sam, from the rival line, who liked her even after
finding out who she was? Will Lucy find out the secret that has fueled the rivalry between the two drum lines? And who
is that mysterious cyber-buddy that’s always on-line for her?
The beginning of this book is a little slow starting, with a fair amount of telling. But don’t let that discourage you. Lucy
will draw you in. The fun tension between the drum lines and the boys will make you want to read on. You will
inevitably pick who you want Lucy to choose and you won’t be disappointed. It took me back to my band days, those
bus trips, the pranks in the band room, and the rush you feel when you compete with high honors. My 12-year-old
daughter took this book away from me and read it in a day. She and I agree that this book was a fun read with a highly
satisfying ending.