The first thing I hear is music. The first thing I've always heard is music.
Meet Marley, an unassuming high school junior who brea... read full description
Meet Marley, an unassuming high school junior who brea... read full description
reviews
Feb 06, 2012
Nancy
rated it: 
3.5 stars
The book tells the story about Marley, a boy who has seen a lot of sorrow. Yet for all the times he's down, he finds his way back up and keeps swimming. He sets his goals high and works for his dreams. It all sounds quite After-School-Special but I assure you it is not. Although Marley is a hard working student on scholarship in an expensive prep school, finding jobs as a DJ, he is still dealing with a mother who shoots the rent through her veins then does nothing but sit in a More...
The book tells the story about Marley, a boy who has seen a lot of sorrow. Yet for all the times he's down, he finds his way back up and keeps swimming. He sets his goals high and works for his dreams. It all sounds quite After-School-Special but I assure you it is not. Although Marley is a hard working student on scholarship in an expensive prep school, finding jobs as a DJ, he is still dealing with a mother who shoots the rent through her veins then does nothing but sit in a More...
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Jun 06, 2011
Charles
rated it: 
I just finished reading an advanced copy of DJ Rising and I was quietly weeping as I read the final pages. I loved this book. Marley, the 16 year-old aspiring DJ, narrates his own story, and I totally fell for this kid before I’d finished the second chapter. He’s a tough, bright, sensitive, talented bi-racial kid from the wrong side of town – a scholarship student at a tony private school where most of the kids are white and rich. His world is filled with equally fascinating and wonderful ch
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Jun 27, 2011
Tai
rated it:
Scored an early copy. Marley is the coolest. Can't wait for this one to come out for real so everyone can read it!!!
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Jun 13, 2011
DJ DCMbre
rated it:
I highly recommend this fast-moving and surprising book. I loved it and will read it again!
This book hooked me in from the first page with its description of how a DJ casts a spell with his beats and mixes, can energize a crowd, or even create calm after a fight, and draw an audience to the dance floor. I love the way the author puts me in Marley’s head as he imagines ways to fuse different music to create a sound that is fresh and alive.
It’s an inspiring story about More...
This book hooked me in from the first page with its description of how a DJ casts a spell with his beats and mixes, can energize a crowd, or even create calm after a fight, and draw an audience to the dance floor. I love the way the author puts me in Marley’s head as he imagines ways to fuse different music to create a sound that is fresh and alive.
It’s an inspiring story about More...
Jul 05, 2011
Alice
rated it:
I was fortunate to read an advance copy of DJ Rising and thought it was absolutely extraordinary! I could not put it down – I was so captivated by the engaging and exciting story and the wonderful, memorable characters. The brilliant depth of character development brings them fully into your world and you feel yourself walking beside them, thinking aloud with them, and living their fears and disappointments and also celebrating the bright moments and the joys. You are drawn into the unique a
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Feb 05, 2012
Eden
rated it: 
This novel stands out from the rest of the YA music-centred pack with several distinctions: a male protagonist, a focus on mixing music rather than purely creating it, and a slightly grittier, more urban setting than, say, Virtuosity by Jessica Martinez or Harmonic Feedback by Tara Kelly. It’s easy to feel the heart poured into this story; it’s an ode to music.
Marley has voice and humour going for him. Even before we’re informed he’s Puerto Rican and black, the narrative lets us into More...
Marley has voice and humour going for him. Even before we’re informed he’s Puerto Rican and black, the narrative lets us into More...
Nov 16, 2011
Samantha
rated it:
I'm not a DJ, nor do I even know THAT much about music...but the way Love Maia uses language and metaphors to describe Marley's (main character) relationship with music- his passion for beats and the power of a good set- was so relatable that I either found myself dancing along with him or crying along with him. This is the story of a boy forced to grow up too soon and music is his salvation. The maturity and perspective he displays in handling his enormously difficult situations(both the good a
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Jan 09, 2012
Melissa
rated it:
3.5 stars
I am a huge music addict. I love it as much as Marley does, and as someone who has recently been joking about wanting to be a DJ as a side-job in the future, DJ Rising seemed like one ironic gift from fate when I received it in the mail the other week. Either way, I'm just glad that I ended up liking it.
For DJ Rising to be her first book, Love Maia did an awesome job. Although the beginning was a bit slow, getting used to the setting and Maia's writing style, the boo More...
I am a huge music addict. I love it as much as Marley does, and as someone who has recently been joking about wanting to be a DJ as a side-job in the future, DJ Rising seemed like one ironic gift from fate when I received it in the mail the other week. Either way, I'm just glad that I ended up liking it.
For DJ Rising to be her first book, Love Maia did an awesome job. Although the beginning was a bit slow, getting used to the setting and Maia's writing style, the boo More...
Jun 06, 2011
Kristina
rated it:
I love Marley. Here is a guy that is given a tough set of life circumstances and inspires you while he rises above it all.
I was given an advanced copy of the book to read and I picked it up on a Friday afternoon and didn't get much sleep that night because I couldn't put it down.
The story pulls you in and stays with you. Marley inspires. This is a great story. 5 Stars.
I was given an advanced copy of the book to read and I picked it up on a Friday afternoon and didn't get much sleep that night because I couldn't put it down.
The story pulls you in and stays with you. Marley inspires. This is a great story. 5 Stars.
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Jun 30, 2011
Taraamin
rated it:
This book is simply inspiring. It is about a young boy who has a dream of becoming something more and who works endlessly to reach it despite the huge obstacles in his life. It is well-written, realistic and imaginative. I was engaged throughout the entire read and could not put it down. Although this is Love's debut work, it reads like a well seasoned author. I look forward to reading more of her written work.
Jan 30, 2012
Halli
rated it:
This was a great debut YA novel about a teen boy's struggle to live his dream as a DJ while dealing with a terrible home life. When sixteen-year-old Marley is lost in spinning his music is when Maia's writing really shines. The reader can practically hear the music pulsing from the pages. Marley is a highly relatable and likable character. While the book will appeal to teens of both genders, I think this is definitely a great one to recommend to teen boys. A wonderful read for anyone who ha
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