Born to Rock (Audio Book)

* Bibliographic information
Korman, G. Born to Rock. Brilliance Audio, 2006. ISBN: 9781423311966. Read by Billy Hammond.


* Plot Summary
Leo has always known there was someone else inside of him, someone who came out when he got mad and made him react in ways he would never otherwise. At a young age Leo found his birth certificate and saw that his father he had always known was not his “Bio-Dad”; Marion X. McMurphy was. From then on, Leo referred to the person inside of him as McMurphy; this is who he blamed for anything he did that was out of character. In his senior year of high school, Leo is kicked out of the Young Republicans Club because of McMurphy and his inability to walk away from a cause. He loses his scholarship to Harvard then learns that his Bio-Dad is also known as King Maggot, the front man of a very well known punk band from the 1980s; Purge. Leo sees his chance to get the money for Harvard and tracks down McMurphy making a huge scene that distances him from his best friend, Melinda. McMurphy wants to get to know Leo and has him come on tour with him and Purge for their comeback. This begins Leo’s journey into the punk rock world where he learns the truth about his Bio-Dad, and his relationship with Melinda.


* Critical Evaluation
A very creative story of a teen finding a biological parent they never knew. The audio book version is a bit distracting at times because wordless rock music is played between sections and chapters, making it hard to hear the narrator. However, the narrator does a great job of providing different voices for the characters, when this is not done well it can make for a confusing listen. The story is entertaining and the writing is humorous. Seeing the character’s outlook change throughout the book will be fun for teens, especially those who love punk music. The main character is definitely an outsider in McMurphy’s world and the contrast is shown in a smart way that keeps readers wanting to know when Leo will get the cavity search he keeps mentioning, and why.


* Reader’s Annotation
Leo has just been thrown out of the Young Republicans Club and lost his scholarship to Harvard because the vice principal says he cheated on a test, then he finds out that his biological father is the front man of a popular punk band from the 1980s; Purge. Leo’s one chance to get his life back on track means going on tour with Purge for the summer and asking his Bio-Dad for the Harvard Tuition.


* Information about the author
Korman was born in Quebec, Canada but later moved to New York where he met his wife. Him and his wife live in Long Island, New York and have three children. Korman has written over 55 books, all for children’s or young adults. He says “50% of what Gordon writes is something that really happened, and 50% is imaginary”. Korman wrote his first book, This Can't be Happening at Macdonald Hall when he was 12 years old. To learn more about Korman, check out his website, http://www.gordonkorman.com/.


* Genre
Teen Fiction; Issues


* Curriculum Ties, if any
N/A


* Booktalking Ideas
1) Talk about Leo’s decision to go on tour with Purge. Do you think you could do something that impulsive?
2) There were hints throughout the story that King Maggot wanted to be a father, why do you think he never tried?
3) Why do you think Melinda never told her oldest friend, Leo about her online postings under Kafka Dreams?


* Reading Level/Interest Age
Grade 7 and Up / 15-18 years old


* Challenge Issues and Defense
Challenge Issues: Unwed parents, Sex, Drugs, Alcohol, Crime and Language.

Defense Ideas:
1) Ask the patron about the book and issue in question and find out how much they know about the book.
2) Help the patron become more familiar with the book and its content.
3) Show the patron positive reviews for this book, such as ones found on amazon.com; School Library Journal and Booklist, http://www.amazon.com/Born-Rock-Gordon-Korman/dp/0786809213/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1260048985&sr=8-1.
4) If available, introduce the patron to people who have read it in the library or tell the patron what you thought of the book if you have read it.
5) Show the patron the collection development policy for that particular library. For example, the one for the San Diego County library, http://dbpcosdcsgt.co.san-diego.ca.us/screens/Intranet/policy/sdcl-policy_O.41_material-selection.pdf
6) If they still want to file a grievance about the book begin the necessary paperwork by giving them the forms they need to fill out. In the San Diego County system, the grievance will then go to The Challenged Materials Team. If the committee cannot resolve the issue, it then goes to the County Library Director for a final decision. http://dbpcosdcsgt.co.san-diego.ca.us/screens/Intranet/policy/sdcl-policy_O.34_intellectual_freedom.pdf


* Why did you include this book in your titles you selected?
This book was recommended to me by the youth librarian at the branch by my house. I thought the story was interesting so I wanted to include it in my collection. Not many stories are told about a young republican finding out his biological father is a punk rock legend. I think Leo’s take on events is fun to read, especially when he talks about the McMurphy inside of him as if those genes are making him do things he does not want to do. Like many teens, Leo wants someone or something to blame for his lack of impulse control. I thought the book was pretty mild but one of the library staff said she thought it was inappropriate and she would not want her sons reading it. It just goes to show that everyone is different and we all interpret things differently.