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Supergirl Mixtapes
In Meagan Brothers's Supergirl Mixtapes , a music-obsessed girl travels to New York City to find herself. After years of boredom in her rural South Carolina town, Maria is thrilled when her father finally allows her to visit her estranged artist mother in New York City. She's ready for adventure, and she soon finds herself immersed in a world of rock music and busy streets, where new people and ideas lie around every concrete corner. This is the freedom she's always longed for―and she pushes for as much as she can get, skipping school to roam the streets, visit fancy museums, and flirt with the cute clerk at a downtown record store. But just like her beloved New York City, Maria's life has a darker side. Behind her mother's carefree existence are shadowy secrets, and Maria must decide just where―and with whom―her loyalty lies.
245 pages, Hardcover
First published April 24, 2012
10 people are currently reading
2313 people want to read
About the author
Meagan Brothers
5 books92 followersMeagan Brothers is the author of three novels for young adults, Debbie Harry Sings in French, Supergirl Mixtapes, and Weird Girl and What's His Name. She has also been, variously, a musician, a performing poet, a record store clerk, and an adjunct professor of creative writing at Manhattanville College in Purchase, NY. A native Carolinian, she currently lives and works in New York City.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 95 reviews
July 10, 2017
I read this book for a challenge in one of my groups. I loved the summary. I absolutely loved the cover with the tape on it, but unfortunately the book just wasn't for me.
I hope others out there enjoy it more than me and I did like it somewhat but it just mostly wasn't my thing.
I liked Maria and her grandmother and a friend that would send her mixed tapes. Oh, to be able to still make mixed tapes! A lot of the other stuff in the book was just okay.
Fin
I hope others out there enjoy it more than me and I did like it somewhat but it just mostly wasn't my thing.
I liked Maria and her grandmother and a friend that would send her mixed tapes. Oh, to be able to still make mixed tapes! A lot of the other stuff in the book was just okay.
Fin
June 7, 2012
When I first heard of Supergirl Mixtapes I knew that I had to read it as soon as possible. It takes place in the 90’s and there’s a lot of focus on music. Those are two elements that I adore in any book. So I was very excited. Then I started to hear some very mixed opinions about the book. I’ll admit that I kept moving it down on my TBR after that. Finally, I decided to give it a chance…and I kind of loved it.
I can see where some readers had issues with it, but I was pretty much hooked from page 1. Maria had an interesting voice. She was very unhappy and going through a rough time, but she wasn’t whiny at all. The book starts out with Maria arriving in NYC to live with her absentee mom. Her mom is crap but Maria thinks the sun rises and sets with her. Needless to say, she is very naive, but to me it was totally believable. What child doesn’t want to have absolute faith in a parent. I wish Maria would have had a more concrete resolution with her mother, but once again the way it played out felt realistic to me.
The 90’s element really isn’t as big as I thought it was going to. There’s are a few mentions of Nirvana and Jnco’s but that’s about it. The music mentioned was mostly from the 70’s and 80’s. I went into the book expecting to love those elements and I did like them, but what I really ended up loving was all the Southern elements. The book takes place in NYC, but Maria is from a small town in South Carolina. She meets up with a boy that’s also from a small SC town and he throws SSK –Smart Southern Kids– parties. They have fried chicken, greens, biscuits, and sweet tea. It’s awesome. Really, I adored all the southern elements of it. I really also adored Gram. He was funny, sweet and smart. He also wasn’t the muscle obsessed jock type that seems to be prevalent in YA contemp. It was refreshing.
This book is not at all the light-hearted fun contemporary that the cover might suggest. It really deals with some tough issues like drug addiction, unhealthy relationships, lying, and neglect. My biggest problem with the book is a lot of these issues are brought up but not resolved. I can definitely see why this would drive some people crazy, but I was able to look past it just because I thought the story was so interesting.
I recommend giving the book a chance. I loved it but not everyone is going to. I suggest going into it with an open mind. It’s also a very, very fast read!
I can see where some readers had issues with it, but I was pretty much hooked from page 1. Maria had an interesting voice. She was very unhappy and going through a rough time, but she wasn’t whiny at all. The book starts out with Maria arriving in NYC to live with her absentee mom. Her mom is crap but Maria thinks the sun rises and sets with her. Needless to say, she is very naive, but to me it was totally believable. What child doesn’t want to have absolute faith in a parent. I wish Maria would have had a more concrete resolution with her mother, but once again the way it played out felt realistic to me.
The 90’s element really isn’t as big as I thought it was going to. There’s are a few mentions of Nirvana and Jnco’s but that’s about it. The music mentioned was mostly from the 70’s and 80’s. I went into the book expecting to love those elements and I did like them, but what I really ended up loving was all the Southern elements. The book takes place in NYC, but Maria is from a small town in South Carolina. She meets up with a boy that’s also from a small SC town and he throws SSK –Smart Southern Kids– parties. They have fried chicken, greens, biscuits, and sweet tea. It’s awesome. Really, I adored all the southern elements of it. I really also adored Gram. He was funny, sweet and smart. He also wasn’t the muscle obsessed jock type that seems to be prevalent in YA contemp. It was refreshing.
This book is not at all the light-hearted fun contemporary that the cover might suggest. It really deals with some tough issues like drug addiction, unhealthy relationships, lying, and neglect. My biggest problem with the book is a lot of these issues are brought up but not resolved. I can definitely see why this would drive some people crazy, but I was able to look past it just because I thought the story was so interesting.
I recommend giving the book a chance. I loved it but not everyone is going to. I suggest going into it with an open mind. It’s also a very, very fast read!
August 5, 2012
I have mixed feelings about this book. I flew through it. The story is interesting and I cared about the main character, Maria, almost right from the word go. I wanted to know what had sent her fleeing from South Carolina, I wanted to know more about her childhood and how the time around her parents divorce went down, and I really wanted to see how she was going to pull it all together. Then I finished the book and I was surprised at how much I found myself NOT liking the book, and I couldn't figure out why. The writing was good, the characters made sense, there was a good story arc, so why was I so turned off? It actually hit me a few days after finishing the book. Here's what I discovered.
It's not that I didn't like the book, it's that I didn't like some of the people in the book. Not that they were written poorly, in fact the opposite is probably true- they were written too well. I actually hate them. So you know, really well done Ms. Brothers. By the end of this book I cared so much about Maria, and so deeply disliked the choices other people (specifically her parents) made, that I was legitimately angry when I finished the book. As if these characters were real people I could go give a talking to.
SPOILER ALERT (do not keep reading if you don't want to ruin the book)
Here's my issue. For a start I like when there are good parents in YA, at least one. Or a good parental figure, but that is not always realistic. I felt like Maria's story was very realistic, and it's unfortunately one about a girl who really doesn't have any great adult role model to turn to. There were so many bad choices that the parents (and grandparents) made in this story that I wanted to reach into the book and smack them. For instance... who in their right mind sends their daughter, who is a known cutter and who just had a meltdown, to live with her absentee mother in NYC who just happens to be a known drug addict. Not only is Maria allowed to go, but at no point does anyone even try to prepare her for what she might find! They give her vague warnings- like her mother "might" not be able to take care of her. I get that Maria (and any teen really) needs to figure out some things for themselves, but i felt like I needed to throw the poor girl a life line. Here's what I wanted to happen... her Dad would say something like "Honey. I know you want to go live with your Mom, and I'm going to give you that chance, but there are some things you need to know. She has struggled with addiction for years and she may not be winning that battle now. You need to be prepared for what you might see when you get there." and then Maria would probably say something to effect of "I'm 17, not 7! I can take care of myself. Just because you don't love her anymore doesn't mean she not my mother" or something equally teenagery. Point being the girl needed a heads up, so that she was at least marginally prepared for what she was going to find.
Of course I know that if Maria had better parental units this story wouldn't work. Which is why I struggled with the my feelings on this book. So well written. Such a good story, even if it is a bit tragic. Maria has pretty great friends (I might love Dory) and she has her head on her shoulders about as well as can be expected. I just wanted to physically leap in the book and start banging heads together! Which is all to say that this is a very good book. You will grow to care about, and hate, the characters. And that's not something that you can say about every book.
It's not that I didn't like the book, it's that I didn't like some of the people in the book. Not that they were written poorly, in fact the opposite is probably true- they were written too well. I actually hate them. So you know, really well done Ms. Brothers. By the end of this book I cared so much about Maria, and so deeply disliked the choices other people (specifically her parents) made, that I was legitimately angry when I finished the book. As if these characters were real people I could go give a talking to.
SPOILER ALERT (do not keep reading if you don't want to ruin the book)
Here's my issue. For a start I like when there are good parents in YA, at least one. Or a good parental figure, but that is not always realistic. I felt like Maria's story was very realistic, and it's unfortunately one about a girl who really doesn't have any great adult role model to turn to. There were so many bad choices that the parents (and grandparents) made in this story that I wanted to reach into the book and smack them. For instance... who in their right mind sends their daughter, who is a known cutter and who just had a meltdown, to live with her absentee mother in NYC who just happens to be a known drug addict. Not only is Maria allowed to go, but at no point does anyone even try to prepare her for what she might find! They give her vague warnings- like her mother "might" not be able to take care of her. I get that Maria (and any teen really) needs to figure out some things for themselves, but i felt like I needed to throw the poor girl a life line. Here's what I wanted to happen... her Dad would say something like "Honey. I know you want to go live with your Mom, and I'm going to give you that chance, but there are some things you need to know. She has struggled with addiction for years and she may not be winning that battle now. You need to be prepared for what you might see when you get there." and then Maria would probably say something to effect of "I'm 17, not 7! I can take care of myself. Just because you don't love her anymore doesn't mean she not my mother" or something equally teenagery. Point being the girl needed a heads up, so that she was at least marginally prepared for what she was going to find.
Of course I know that if Maria had better parental units this story wouldn't work. Which is why I struggled with the my feelings on this book. So well written. Such a good story, even if it is a bit tragic. Maria has pretty great friends (I might love Dory) and she has her head on her shoulders about as well as can be expected. I just wanted to physically leap in the book and start banging heads together! Which is all to say that this is a very good book. You will grow to care about, and hate, the characters. And that's not something that you can say about every book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 9, 2012
Maria has led a safe life so far. She doesn't know why her mother up and left when she was younger, but she knows she has a reliable, dependable dad. When she is finally allowed to live with her mother, Maria decides to use her newfound freedom to the fullest. With her mother there, but still acting a little odd and a little absent, Maria does not have any guidance. Her life with her mother is the majority of the story. Maria meets her mother's very young and very good-looking boyfriend as well as a possible boyfriend of her own. She makes a few friends and slowly begins to unravel the past...but will she like what she discovers?
Maria's character is easy to relate to for a younger reader. She makes mistakes and learns, she is a tad on the impulsive side and tends to push her limits. The reader will get to know Maria and read from her perspective, she is easy to connect to within the first couple of chapters. The other characters are so-so. The reader will probably find fault with a lot of them, but they each have merit as far as the story goes.
The plot is easy to follow and actually reasonable, the reader could likely see this happening in real life. Music plays a large part in both the story and Maria's life, the reader will love how the author wove music into the plot and the characters. Overall, this book is great for young adult/teen readers.
Maria's character is easy to relate to for a younger reader. She makes mistakes and learns, she is a tad on the impulsive side and tends to push her limits. The reader will get to know Maria and read from her perspective, she is easy to connect to within the first couple of chapters. The other characters are so-so. The reader will probably find fault with a lot of them, but they each have merit as far as the story goes.
The plot is easy to follow and actually reasonable, the reader could likely see this happening in real life. Music plays a large part in both the story and Maria's life, the reader will love how the author wove music into the plot and the characters. Overall, this book is great for young adult/teen readers.
December 29, 2011
3.5 definitivamente.
Supergirl Mixtapes es uno de esos libros que te lees en una sentada, de esos que son agradables de leer un domingo lluvioso con una taza de chocolate al lado.
El personaje de Maria siempre viviò con su padre en un pequeño pueblo, sin su madre. Pero eso cambia, tiene que pasar un rato con ella en NY. Vemos a Maria maravillandose por la ciudad, pero extrañando las pequeñas cosas del lugar donde ha vivido. De regreso en su pueblo natal, no puede evitar notar que hay muchas cosas en el mundo que aùn no ha vivido, cosas accecibles de una gran ciudad.
El novio de su madre la insmicuye en la mùsica, y eso fue lo que màs me gusto.
Vivì toda mi vida en una ciudad pequeña, con visitas a la capital de vez en cuando. Pero despuès de vivir en otro estado, me gustaron las dos cosas. La sencillez de mi ciudad natal, y las miles de posiblidades de entretenimiento y cultural que en una enorma capital. Siento lo mismo que Maria,amando las dos cosas o de vez en cuando odiando una de ellas.
Tambièn me sentì identificada con la mùsica, la personalidad de Marìa podrìa variar de acuerdo a las canciones.
Hay canciones que hacen que quiera bailar toda la noche, aùn en mis peores momentos, canciones qiue me hacen recordar a un ser querido, canciones que me hacen sentirme identificada,etc.
Supergirl Mixtapes me hizo sentirme como si no estuviera loca, saber que no soy la ùnica sintiendome asì.
Un buen libro :)
Supergirl Mixtapes es uno de esos libros que te lees en una sentada, de esos que son agradables de leer un domingo lluvioso con una taza de chocolate al lado.
El personaje de Maria siempre viviò con su padre en un pequeño pueblo, sin su madre. Pero eso cambia, tiene que pasar un rato con ella en NY. Vemos a Maria maravillandose por la ciudad, pero extrañando las pequeñas cosas del lugar donde ha vivido. De regreso en su pueblo natal, no puede evitar notar que hay muchas cosas en el mundo que aùn no ha vivido, cosas accecibles de una gran ciudad.
El novio de su madre la insmicuye en la mùsica, y eso fue lo que màs me gusto.
Vivì toda mi vida en una ciudad pequeña, con visitas a la capital de vez en cuando. Pero despuès de vivir en otro estado, me gustaron las dos cosas. La sencillez de mi ciudad natal, y las miles de posiblidades de entretenimiento y cultural que en una enorma capital. Siento lo mismo que Maria,amando las dos cosas o de vez en cuando odiando una de ellas.
Tambièn me sentì identificada con la mùsica, la personalidad de Marìa podrìa variar de acuerdo a las canciones.
Hay canciones que hacen que quiera bailar toda la noche, aùn en mis peores momentos, canciones qiue me hacen recordar a un ser querido, canciones que me hacen sentirme identificada,etc.
Supergirl Mixtapes me hizo sentirme como si no estuviera loca, saber que no soy la ùnica sintiendome asì.
Un buen libro :)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 4, 2012
Maria was born in New York City but moved to South Carolina when she was two. Her artist mother headed back to NYC when Maria was four. Since then Maria has been surrounded by her father and her grandmother and their views of how awful her mother was.
After a rough breakup with Brian, Maria convinces her father she should move to NYC and get to know her mother. Her grandmother pulls some strings and invests considerable money to get Maria enrolled in a fancy private school, and Maria is on her way.
Maria's first clue about her mother's stability should have come from the fact that the woman mixed up the arrival time of Maria's train. She didn't seem to be at all concerned that she left Maria sitting in the train station for twelve hours, but instead, she just hustled Maria to her tiny apartment. After that Maria begins to try to settle in only to discover she hates the private school and finds herself spending more time with her mother's very young boyfriend than getting to know the woman who has been absent from her life.
Music is the only steady force in Maria's life. She finds relief listening to mixtapes created by a best friend from back home. She also finds music helps her form helpful connections with her mother's boyfriend and another young man she meets at a local record store. An older woman named Nina also steps up to help Maria understand some of the secrets her mother has been hiding.
SUPERGIRL MIXTAPES is the story of a teen trying to understand the odd family relationships that make up her life. Not willing to accept her father's side of the story, she insists on making her own judgements about her mother's choice to abandon her family. What she discovers isn't exactly the happy ending she had hoped for, but knowing the truth could make her stronger and more appreciative of those who continue to stand behind her.
After a rough breakup with Brian, Maria convinces her father she should move to NYC and get to know her mother. Her grandmother pulls some strings and invests considerable money to get Maria enrolled in a fancy private school, and Maria is on her way.
Maria's first clue about her mother's stability should have come from the fact that the woman mixed up the arrival time of Maria's train. She didn't seem to be at all concerned that she left Maria sitting in the train station for twelve hours, but instead, she just hustled Maria to her tiny apartment. After that Maria begins to try to settle in only to discover she hates the private school and finds herself spending more time with her mother's very young boyfriend than getting to know the woman who has been absent from her life.
Music is the only steady force in Maria's life. She finds relief listening to mixtapes created by a best friend from back home. She also finds music helps her form helpful connections with her mother's boyfriend and another young man she meets at a local record store. An older woman named Nina also steps up to help Maria understand some of the secrets her mother has been hiding.
SUPERGIRL MIXTAPES is the story of a teen trying to understand the odd family relationships that make up her life. Not willing to accept her father's side of the story, she insists on making her own judgements about her mother's choice to abandon her family. What she discovers isn't exactly the happy ending she had hoped for, but knowing the truth could make her stronger and more appreciative of those who continue to stand behind her.
December 10, 2014
Everything that glitters isn't gold. I kept thinking about this phrase as the story unfolded. It starts off with Maria wanted to see her mother and great away from South Carolina, as It continued secrets are revealed and the illusion of what she wanted and imagined was shattered. Maria ended up having to do what she does back at home, which was taking care of what was going on around her. She finally sees what's going on and realizes that she has to go back to SC, and away from her time bomb of a mother. I wished she had told Gram the truth more in the beginning.
The story was great and it felt realistic.
The story was great and it felt realistic.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 22, 2012
When I decided to read this book i think that i was expecting something a little bit more fun and happy. Seriously, got it very wrong, Maria is one messed up teen and her life is also messed up. this isn't a happy musical book at all, it's grungy and grimy and whilst I did like it I may not have chosen to read it at the time that I did if I'd known that. There isn't a real plot to it, it's really just a story of Maria's self-discovery.
I really liked the characters in this book, Maria was very believable. She's very damaged and because of that she does some pretty stupid stuff like lying to Grant, I didn't feel as though I knew enough with her past to have any sympathy for her but I empathised with her self-discovery. I though that Grant was a little seedy but at the end he turned out to be a decent enough guy and I feel really sorry for him. I really liked Travis, Maria's mum's boyfriend but I really didn't like where his character was taken and Maria's mother was also a very layered character - she cared about her daughter but was also very shallow.
The thing that I didn't like about this book was the amount of times the plot stopped and the characters started to go on about music. Seriously, I knew this book would have a lot of music in it but it happened too often. If you're a massive fan of grunge and punk rock you may actually really enjoy this but for me it just disrupted to plot massively.
Overall, an alright book with great characters, though I did get annoyed with the music references every other page that disrupted the flow of the book.
Overall rating: D+
I really liked the characters in this book, Maria was very believable. She's very damaged and because of that she does some pretty stupid stuff like lying to Grant, I didn't feel as though I knew enough with her past to have any sympathy for her but I empathised with her self-discovery. I though that Grant was a little seedy but at the end he turned out to be a decent enough guy and I feel really sorry for him. I really liked Travis, Maria's mum's boyfriend but I really didn't like where his character was taken and Maria's mother was also a very layered character - she cared about her daughter but was also very shallow.
The thing that I didn't like about this book was the amount of times the plot stopped and the characters started to go on about music. Seriously, I knew this book would have a lot of music in it but it happened too often. If you're a massive fan of grunge and punk rock you may actually really enjoy this but for me it just disrupted to plot massively.
Overall, an alright book with great characters, though I did get annoyed with the music references every other page that disrupted the flow of the book.
Overall rating: D+
April 18, 2013
Supergirl Mixtapes is about 16 year old Maria and he want for something more. She lives in a small town in South Carolina with her dad but where she really wants to be is with her mom in New York City. Her dad reluctantly lets her go to visit her mom. Maria thinks she will find new and exciting adventures in NYC. Upon arrival she starts a new private school, travels the city, and learns all about the music scene. Maria soon finds out that NYC is not all that it is cracked up to be through other people’s mistakes and her own. The story is told with an undercurrent of music, using it to connect Maria and her estranged mother.
I really enjoyed reading this book. It was fully of great description and made the book come to life when I read it. It was a great story of coming of age mixed with realizing that reality is not always what you want to hear. Really a lively read about a young girl having to make some tough adult decisions.
I think this book would be good for young high school student. There is a couple of curse words used occasionally but nothing extreme. This book covers a lot of topics from growing up to children learning about their parent’s problems. I think someone who has experienced substance abuse within their family could relate to things that happen in the book.
I really enjoyed reading this book. It was fully of great description and made the book come to life when I read it. It was a great story of coming of age mixed with realizing that reality is not always what you want to hear. Really a lively read about a young girl having to make some tough adult decisions.
I think this book would be good for young high school student. There is a couple of curse words used occasionally but nothing extreme. This book covers a lot of topics from growing up to children learning about their parent’s problems. I think someone who has experienced substance abuse within their family could relate to things that happen in the book.
April 28, 2019
This has to be one of the TRASHIEST book I've ever had the unpleasant experience of reading .
And that's putting it nicely .
I finally understand what y'all Mean when you say a book has no plot .
Was there a point to all the drugs , drowning in alcohol , and overall smutty trashiness ??? Nope apparently not ! I still don't get the point of it !
This book was a collage of musical references and absolute drama .
Spoilers .....
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Maria moves to love with her estranged mother . Her mother moved to NY to be an artist and lives a strange life with her boyfriend who is only a few years older than her mothers boyfriend who is a guitar player for a fledgling rock band .
Surprise surprise Maria and the rock star start to fall in love meanwhile Maria is sleeping with some other guy happily ?? I will never understand people 😂
Her mother and the boyfriend are both druggies and alcoholics who allow Maria , who is 16 , to do whatever the heck she wants to do .
.
.
.
.
.
Pretty much all that happens is Maria skips school , her mother smokes pot while she rants about some music , as well as her and her boyfriend drink themselves into oblivion . So it was the most boring cycle * eye roll *
Thanks for reading
Makayla ❤️😊
And that's putting it nicely .
I finally understand what y'all Mean when you say a book has no plot .
Was there a point to all the drugs , drowning in alcohol , and overall smutty trashiness ??? Nope apparently not ! I still don't get the point of it !
This book was a collage of musical references and absolute drama .
Spoilers .....
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Maria moves to love with her estranged mother . Her mother moved to NY to be an artist and lives a strange life with her boyfriend who is only a few years older than her mothers boyfriend who is a guitar player for a fledgling rock band .
Surprise surprise Maria and the rock star start to fall in love meanwhile Maria is sleeping with some other guy happily ?? I will never understand people 😂
Her mother and the boyfriend are both druggies and alcoholics who allow Maria , who is 16 , to do whatever the heck she wants to do .
.
.
.
.
.
Pretty much all that happens is Maria skips school , her mother smokes pot while she rants about some music , as well as her and her boyfriend drink themselves into oblivion . So it was the most boring cycle * eye roll *
Thanks for reading
Makayla ❤️😊
March 19, 2012
This is another knock-out of a book by Meagan Brothers, following on the also terrific Debbie Harry Sings in French. Maria is younger here, and her life with her fun, troubled mother in 90's Manhattan is gorgeously, at times heart-breakingly, portrayed. Supergirl Mixtapes is a highly original coming of age story, one that is funny, tender, and very real. You can't skim it, and the writing is so good you don't want to. I highly recommend both of these truly outstanding, music-filled books.
April 22, 2012
This book was an incredible ride! It left me breathless.
Check out my full review at Into the Mystic
Check out my full review at Into the Mystic
August 10, 2013
great book five stars :)
November 11, 2013
it is amazing Meagan show how most teen feel when they haven't see their mom or dad in a while i can relate sort of but i understand what she is saying i can't wait for a sequel yay
August 18, 2012
She puts her heart on every single page. Meagan Brothers is a hell of a fine writer.
August 20, 2011
Maria can’t wait to escape from her small southern hometown. Things have been going downhill for a while, and Maria is starting to feel like everyone she could count on is going away. She feels like she needs to get out of there too, so her father’s permission to visit her estranged mother in New York City is a blessing. And so what if the big city is a little scary and maybe a little too much for Maria to handle on her own? She would gladly brave the subways ad busy streets in order to see her mom again. But the more time Maria spends with her mom, she starts to question whether her own mother would go so far for her. It’s been great going to concerts and being immersed in the local music scene, but it hasn’t been so great learning the dirty little secrets Maria’s mom tried so hard to keep hidden. Maria will have to figure out what exactly it is she’s looking for in New York City—and whether she can find it—before it’s too late to turn back.
Supergirl Mixtapes is a wonderful character-driven coming of age novel. Maria is a vivid protagonist who is motivated by her love of music. Music isn’t necessarily what completely defines her, but it plays a huge role in her everyday life and is sometimes just what she needs to get through the day. Brothers does a fantastic job developing Maria’s character and the backdrop for her city adventures. It took me a little while to realize that Supergirl Mixtapes was set in the 90s, but once I did, it was really easy to get into the rhythm, so to speak, of the story. I was actually surprised that I didn’t feel let down by the ending of the story, because the plot comes in around in a full circle. I’m usually irritated when its seems like nothing really happened. But this just further goes to show how invested I became in Maria’s character, because that’s where all the real growth happened. I don’t think I’ve ever enjoyed or appreciated reading about an episode in a character’s life as much as I did in Supergirl Mixtapes, and I thank Brothers for that.
Supergirl Mixtapes will be enjoyed by fans of I Wanna Be Your Joey Ramone by Stephanie Kuehnert, Harmonic Feedback by Tara Kelly, and Shrinking Violet by Danielle Joseph.
reposted from http://thebookmuncher.blogspot.com
Supergirl Mixtapes is a wonderful character-driven coming of age novel. Maria is a vivid protagonist who is motivated by her love of music. Music isn’t necessarily what completely defines her, but it plays a huge role in her everyday life and is sometimes just what she needs to get through the day. Brothers does a fantastic job developing Maria’s character and the backdrop for her city adventures. It took me a little while to realize that Supergirl Mixtapes was set in the 90s, but once I did, it was really easy to get into the rhythm, so to speak, of the story. I was actually surprised that I didn’t feel let down by the ending of the story, because the plot comes in around in a full circle. I’m usually irritated when its seems like nothing really happened. But this just further goes to show how invested I became in Maria’s character, because that’s where all the real growth happened. I don’t think I’ve ever enjoyed or appreciated reading about an episode in a character’s life as much as I did in Supergirl Mixtapes, and I thank Brothers for that.
Supergirl Mixtapes will be enjoyed by fans of I Wanna Be Your Joey Ramone by Stephanie Kuehnert, Harmonic Feedback by Tara Kelly, and Shrinking Violet by Danielle Joseph.
reposted from http://thebookmuncher.blogspot.com
December 5, 2011
My Thoughts: Honestly, I wanted to love Supergirl Mixtapes. The cover alone suggests it would be unique. The plot sounds like it would be awesome. And its sprinkled with music, big win.
We are introduced to Maria who lives with her father in a small southern town. Her mother has never really been around. Until now. She goes off to New York to live with her mother for a while.
While in New York, Maria is trying to navigate the streets while trying to figure out where exactly she belongs. Back in her hometown, everything was going downhill and she felt like she was losing everything. But in New York, she doesn't fit in at school or in her mother's world.
She’s staying with her mother and her mother's young boyfriend. Her mother introduces Maria to a bunch of new music which Maria loves. Maria’s personality is based a lot on music and its just who she is. Music represents her. She understands it and loves it.
Maria also meets a boy who she takes an interest in. I never really felt connected to him. I really wanted her to end up with someone a little bit better and with more of a personality.
Supergirl Mixtapes did have a lot of music references which were awesome, it also had a bit of romance, and a lot of family drama.
Overall: Honestly, I did enjoy Supergirl Mixtapes a bit. I enjoyed the last part of the book more than the beginning. As I read, the middle is when I really became intrigued and I had to keep reading. This one didn’t make my favorites of the year but it was an alright read.
Cover: Pretty cool cover, right? I love the cassette tape, it takes me back to the 90’s before CD’s were so popular.
What I’d Give It: 3/5 Cupcakes
________________________
Review Based On Hardcover Edition
Taken From Princess Bookie
www.princessbookie.com
We are introduced to Maria who lives with her father in a small southern town. Her mother has never really been around. Until now. She goes off to New York to live with her mother for a while.
While in New York, Maria is trying to navigate the streets while trying to figure out where exactly she belongs. Back in her hometown, everything was going downhill and she felt like she was losing everything. But in New York, she doesn't fit in at school or in her mother's world.
She’s staying with her mother and her mother's young boyfriend. Her mother introduces Maria to a bunch of new music which Maria loves. Maria’s personality is based a lot on music and its just who she is. Music represents her. She understands it and loves it.
Maria also meets a boy who she takes an interest in. I never really felt connected to him. I really wanted her to end up with someone a little bit better and with more of a personality.
Supergirl Mixtapes did have a lot of music references which were awesome, it also had a bit of romance, and a lot of family drama.
Overall: Honestly, I did enjoy Supergirl Mixtapes a bit. I enjoyed the last part of the book more than the beginning. As I read, the middle is when I really became intrigued and I had to keep reading. This one didn’t make my favorites of the year but it was an alright read.
Cover: Pretty cool cover, right? I love the cassette tape, it takes me back to the 90’s before CD’s were so popular.
What I’d Give It: 3/5 Cupcakes
________________________
Review Based On Hardcover Edition
Taken From Princess Bookie
www.princessbookie.com
May 14, 2012
Meagan's books are a learning experience for me, as I'm quite a ways from being a young teen, and my young generation was a good 30 years prior to hers. However, there's a commonality to every generation, in that teen years are a confusing, frequently rough and tumble learning ground, and some of those biggest struggles are with your own sense of self.
That being said, it's a pleasure to dive into her words and discover that which is both familiar (in feelings) and alien (fashion, music and art tastes)as experienced by a flawed, yet sympathetic young lady. The ease with which the portrayal is presented suggests there's a good deal of Meagan in Maria, and she's a young lady worth getting to know.
For parents, the situations and language are nothing outside of what your kids already know, and the harsher aspects are kept to a bare minimum, and presented in a matter of fact manner, without glorifying such behavior.
Although Maria is fast approaching adulthood, she's a young lady I'd be interested in hearing more about. Nice job again, Meagan!
That being said, it's a pleasure to dive into her words and discover that which is both familiar (in feelings) and alien (fashion, music and art tastes)as experienced by a flawed, yet sympathetic young lady. The ease with which the portrayal is presented suggests there's a good deal of Meagan in Maria, and she's a young lady worth getting to know.
For parents, the situations and language are nothing outside of what your kids already know, and the harsher aspects are kept to a bare minimum, and presented in a matter of fact manner, without glorifying such behavior.
Although Maria is fast approaching adulthood, she's a young lady I'd be interested in hearing more about. Nice job again, Meagan!
July 9, 2012
Debbie Harry Sings in French is one of my favorite teen books and the author does a great job following that up with Supergirl Mixtapes, a story about Maria, a girl who goes off to NYC to live with her mother whom she hasn't seen in years. What I most adore about this book is that it takes place in the 90s, when I was a teen, so I got to relive some of my teen agnst through it. I'm a bit weirded out that this, technically, could be considered historical fiction. I do realize that the 80s just experienced their pop culture resurgence (neon, dance music, jeggings, etc.) so maybe we'll see a resurgence in the art of the cassette mixtape? I dunno. For music and pop culture references alone, this gets an A+ in my book. Sex, drugs, and rock and roll, people.
March 12, 2013
A deeper and more nuanced novel than I expected from the cutesy cover. I'm not sure exactly what I was expecting, but it definitely wasn't this: a nostalgic look at New York in the nineties, an older soundtrack, an isolated teen with a self-injury-branded-as-suicide-attempt past that doesn't really have an impact on her present state of mind, a long overdue reunion with a mother who acts like a teenager but who isn't a villain, and said mother's 22-year-old boyfriend, which is exactly as much fun as you think it is (especially when he spends most of the book acting like a big brother). I really liked the main character and her whole outlook on family and the world, and just plain loved the backdrop.
January 29, 2013
Meagan Brothers' newest YA title will not disappoint. Maria leaves her father to go live with her mother in NYC. As if the transition from South Carolina to New York is not enough, she realizes that life with her free spirit mother is one of enormous ups and downs. Struggling to get her own life together, armed with warnings of family and friends, Maria learns that her mother's drug problem is one that just might not ever turn around. A realistic read that is not didactic and will speak to teens and adults alike who know people who struggle with addiction.
June 5, 2012
What a great follow up to Debby Harry Sings in French, which I loved. Supergirl Mixtapes is a quick read; but, don't let that fool you. It has all the good stuff: some angst, misplaced affection, adventure, divorced parents, mental illness and music! The music threaded effortlessly throughout the novel keeps the pace moving. The author sets the scene perfectly. After reading this book, you are a lot closer to living through the 90s in New York City.
July 29, 2011
I enjoyed every minute of Brothers' second novel! Not only was it a love letter to New York city, it's an interesting look at the music scene in the 90's. Maria is a strong and likable main character, level-headed and a little insecure at the same time, and infinitely relatable. I will definitely be recommending "Supergirl Mixtapes" to teens and adults!
--Review by Lauren
--Review by Lauren
July 29, 2011
I enjoyed every minute of Brothers' second novel! Not only was it a love letter to New York city, it's an interesting look at the music scene in the 90's. Maria is a strong and likable main character, level-headed and a little insecure at the same time, and infinitely relatable. I will definitely be recommending "Supergirl Mixtapes" to teens and adults!
June 11, 2012
I liked this book (and loved the cover), particularly because I was a college student in the 1990s and am familiar with the bands mentioned. I liked the main character and her journey, although the ending felt strangely abrupt.
May 23, 2012
3.5 for teens, 5 for 30-something adults. Read my full review HERE.
December 24, 2011
ARC received through Netgalley
Review to come
Review to come
January 23, 2012
I'm not sure I'm ready for 90s nostalgia but this was really good. full review to come.
May 19, 2012
Read our review here:
http://readforyourfuture.blogspot.com...
http://readforyourfuture.blogspot.com...
December 27, 2012
As a middle aged mother, I really liked this book, but since it takes place in the late 90's and talks about a lot of music from the late 70's, I'm not sure how much an actual teenager would like it.
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