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My Year of Epic Rock
by
If Life Was Like a Song
Nina Simmons’ song would be “You Can’t Always Eat What You Want.” (Peanut allergies, ugh). But that’s okay, because as her best friend Brianna always said, “We’re All in This Together.”
Until the first day of the seventh grade, when Brianna dumps her to be BFFs with the popular new girl. Left all alone, Nina is forced to socialize with “her own kind”– ...more
Nina Simmons’ song would be “You Can’t Always Eat What You Want.” (Peanut allergies, ugh). But that’s okay, because as her best friend Brianna always said, “We’re All in This Together.”
Until the first day of the seventh grade, when Brianna dumps her to be BFFs with the popular new girl. Left all alone, Nina is forced to socialize with “her own kind”– ...more
Paperback, 195 pages
Published
September 2nd 2014
by Sourcebooks Jabberwocky
(first published January 1st 2014)
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Quick and cute middle-grade book about a 7th grader with anaphylactic allergies to peanuts and eggs. First of all, OMG YES. There are SO many kids these days who have food allergies, who have to carry Epipens everywhere, and it was awesome to finally see some representation for those kids and how difficult their lives can be, particularly if their peers get all "OMG WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU CAN'T EAT _____???"
But really, this is a book about dealing with what happens when your BFF suddenly decides ...more
But really, this is a book about dealing with what happens when your BFF suddenly decides ...more

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I have a peanut allergy and I don’t think I’ve ever read a book where the main character also had a peanut allergy. Thus I was intrigued in My Year of Epic Rock. I wanted to have some kind of representation for once – I am not anaphylactic though, which the main character is. Another part that intrigued me was that a group of children decide to start a rock band.
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It meant so much to me to read about a character who worries abo ...more
I have a peanut allergy and I don’t think I’ve ever read a book where the main character also had a peanut allergy. Thus I was intrigued in My Year of Epic Rock. I wanted to have some kind of representation for once – I am not anaphylactic though, which the main character is. Another part that intrigued me was that a group of children decide to start a rock band.
__
It meant so much to me to read about a character who worries abo ...more

I am sooooo happy I bought this book on a whim, it was fabulous! It was fun, it was sweet, it was hilarious. And also, for me at least, very relatable.
Yes relatable, I may not have an egg allergy, but I do have a peanut-allergy (and some other stuff as well, yay). I also have an epipen with me on hand at all times. I know that it at times can be difficult to ask what the ingredients are in x recipe. I know also that people will look at you weirdly, or will treat you different if you mention you ...more
Yes relatable, I may not have an egg allergy, but I do have a peanut-allergy (and some other stuff as well, yay). I also have an epipen with me on hand at all times. I know that it at times can be difficult to ask what the ingredients are in x recipe. I know also that people will look at you weirdly, or will treat you different if you mention you ...more

I wish I had this book when I was younger. See, younger me had all these allergies (peanuts and eggs like Nina, but also lots of others) and was constantly told, "OMG, you can't eat shrimp?! Or peanut butter?! Or ice cream?!?!?! I feel so bad for you. You're really missing out." And I'd just nod my head and turn back to my allergy-friendly food. I never had anyone my age that could relate, but my friends were always kind enough to not pack peanut butter sandwiches or at least warn me when they d
...more

3.8 stars
This was so freaking cute. I loved reading about Nina moving on and finding true friends. The rock band part of this book was so fun to read. I learned so much about what its like to live with a life threatening allergy. I genuinely laughed out out at some parts. Overall this was a super sweet and fun read.
This was so freaking cute. I loved reading about Nina moving on and finding true friends. The rock band part of this book was so fun to read. I learned so much about what its like to live with a life threatening allergy. I genuinely laughed out out at some parts. Overall this was a super sweet and fun read.

Originally posted here at Random Musings of a Bibliophile.
When I saw My Year of Epic Rock by Andrea Pyros show up on NetGalley, I knew immediately that I had to read it. I love books about music, friendship, and fitting in. These are the type of realistic books that appeal to my daughter and her friends right now, and that I have no trouble selling to kids looking for recommendations. It is always nice to find one that is especially well done and is truly relatable to the kids who read it. I thi ...more
When I saw My Year of Epic Rock by Andrea Pyros show up on NetGalley, I knew immediately that I had to read it. I love books about music, friendship, and fitting in. These are the type of realistic books that appeal to my daughter and her friends right now, and that I have no trouble selling to kids looking for recommendations. It is always nice to find one that is especially well done and is truly relatable to the kids who read it. I thi ...more

My Year of Epic Rock was supposed to be my escape for a couple of hours fun-time read. Don’t get me wrong it completely fulfilled that part of the deal but I was surprised but how much I enjoyed this book.
After the summer holiday’s Nina’s best friend has replaced her with the allergy-free new(ish) girl. I had a ‘friend’ (term applied loosely) like that when I was growing up so I completely understood Nina. It really hurts, particularly because you never get an explanation.
What I liked about Andr ...more
After the summer holiday’s Nina’s best friend has replaced her with the allergy-free new(ish) girl. I had a ‘friend’ (term applied loosely) like that when I was growing up so I completely understood Nina. It really hurts, particularly because you never get an explanation.
What I liked about Andr ...more

A great book for the 10-13 year old, about a girl who gets dumped by her BFF and struggles with food allergies.
But any kid that age can relate to the friend dramas, the politics of middle school and the seemingly endless struggle to find the balance between fitting in and finding your own identity.
The characters are realistic, the dialogue fun, and the conflict so close to home for anyone who's been an adolescent. ...more
But any kid that age can relate to the friend dramas, the politics of middle school and the seemingly endless struggle to find the balance between fitting in and finding your own identity.
The characters are realistic, the dialogue fun, and the conflict so close to home for anyone who's been an adolescent. ...more

Nina is no longer Brianna's best friend. After Brianna and Shelley's families coincidentally end up vacationing in Italy together, they have been inseparable. Nina continues to try and salvage the friendship despite the obvious. After being pretty much ignored at lunch, she decides to join the allergy table. Besides having food allergies in common, they all play instruments. They decide to form a band for the talent show. Nina plays drums. Besides the girl drama, Nina rekindles her friendship wi
...more

I adore My Year of Epic Rock!
Nina, don't you just adore the name?, is a insecure young adult who can't for the life figure out why her best friend isn't her best friend anymore. I thought Brianna was a horrible person. Who would do that to a friend? I loved Ninas family. Her parents are so caring. Her mom is super sweet and loves to bake. When they were talking about cookies, I wanted to go to the supermarket and buy cookies. I needed cookies. I needed the cookies her mom baked. All of the othe ...more
Nina, don't you just adore the name?, is a insecure young adult who can't for the life figure out why her best friend isn't her best friend anymore. I thought Brianna was a horrible person. Who would do that to a friend? I loved Ninas family. Her parents are so caring. Her mom is super sweet and loves to bake. When they were talking about cookies, I wanted to go to the supermarket and buy cookies. I needed cookies. I needed the cookies her mom baked. All of the othe ...more

I loved everything about MY YEAR OF EPIC ROCK! This is the first book I've read that took on the lives of kids with food allergies and it was so well done. Food allergies weren't the focus of the story, but an natural extension of the lives of several students who carry Epi pens as a safety measure.
But this book was also about the delicate balance that comes with the evolving friendships of middle school. What relationships are healthy? And what motivates the people in our lives to behave the w ...more
But this book was also about the delicate balance that comes with the evolving friendships of middle school. What relationships are healthy? And what motivates the people in our lives to behave the w ...more

Read This for Epic Fun
This heartfelt and funny book perfectly captures the feelings of the roller coaster that is middle school. Nina has merged with a best friend who then changes and leaves her feeling lost. Nina also has to contend with serious food allergies. The ups and downs Nina goes through navigating her world, make the reader laugh and cringe right along with her. When she and her new friends, who all sit at the food allergy table in the school cafeteria, create their own band, you are ...more
This heartfelt and funny book perfectly captures the feelings of the roller coaster that is middle school. Nina has merged with a best friend who then changes and leaves her feeling lost. Nina also has to contend with serious food allergies. The ups and downs Nina goes through navigating her world, make the reader laugh and cringe right along with her. When she and her new friends, who all sit at the food allergy table in the school cafeteria, create their own band, you are ...more

My 9 year old loved this book. Lots of friendship situations her age can relate to, and important messages about standing up for yourself. She really found it addictive to read, and normally finds it hard to get into chapter books but the story was very compelling to her. She immediately asked for more by this author!

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.

A cute, fun and sweet middle-grade novel about anaphylactic shocks, friendship, family, finding oneself and first love

Rep: MC with anaphylactic allergies
Warnings: ableism, panic attack, allergic reaction
Warnings: ableism, panic attack, allergic reaction

This engaging novel explores how an anaphylactic allergy complicates one's life from a young age with insight and creativity!
...more

For as common as food allergies are, books about people with food allergies are shockingly few and far between. I'm pretty sure I've seen more books about people pretending to have one than about people who actually do.
That's an easy point in favor of this book, but honestly, it's pretty good across the board. In many ways, it's a standard best-friends-growing-apart middle-grade novel, as well as a standard figuring-out-who-you-are novel. But I think it goes a bit deeper than a lot of similar no ...more
That's an easy point in favor of this book, but honestly, it's pretty good across the board. In many ways, it's a standard best-friends-growing-apart middle-grade novel, as well as a standard figuring-out-who-you-are novel. But I think it goes a bit deeper than a lot of similar no ...more

I received My Year of Epic Rock from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I had forgotten when I sat down to read My Year of Epic Rock that it’s a middle grade book. I was pleasantly surprised because I’m on a middle grade kick right now but I haven’t actually read one in a few weeks.
Nina’s just beginning to realize that her best friend Brianna has ditched her for a cooler girl when seventh grade starts. At first Nina attempts to hang out with Brianna and Shelley, but she doesn’t understan ...more
I had forgotten when I sat down to read My Year of Epic Rock that it’s a middle grade book. I was pleasantly surprised because I’m on a middle grade kick right now but I haven’t actually read one in a few weeks.
Nina’s just beginning to realize that her best friend Brianna has ditched her for a cooler girl when seventh grade starts. At first Nina attempts to hang out with Brianna and Shelley, but she doesn’t understan ...more

I heard about My Year of EpicRock by Andrea Pyros from the author herself when she wrote to see if I’d like to participate in a book giveaway… I thought, well, this is a premise that is quite interesting, think I’ll check it out on Netgalley! And wow, so glad I did. It is a wonderful middle read book that will connect to most readers, especially those who have ever had friendship issues. Now, I’ve had a friendship issue like the main character but not as many allergies as her, or allergies as dr
...more

"Bringing my EpiPen with me everywhere I went was like having a stupid pimple that never went away! Besides, like I was going to have the guts to stab myself with a giant needle in the leg if I ate something I was allergic to anyway. Wouldn't I bet too busy barfing or fainting or something else awful to be my own doctor?"
I've had severe allergies since the day I was born, and it haven't really been easy or fun most of the time. Having allergies can be extremely lonely, and pretty scary too, ...more

ABSOLUTLEY LOVED IT
Nina Simmons is twelve and just starting the new school year in an epic downward spiral. Her BFF, Brianna, has always had her back and protected her from the evil food she is allergic too. But now, Brianna has moved on and is now besties with Shelley, the most popular girl in school. As Nina is exiled to the "allergy table", she starts to interact with her fellow outcasts and when the group realizes they all play instruments, the decide to form a band for the Halloween talent ...more
Nina Simmons is twelve and just starting the new school year in an epic downward spiral. Her BFF, Brianna, has always had her back and protected her from the evil food she is allergic too. But now, Brianna has moved on and is now besties with Shelley, the most popular girl in school. As Nina is exiled to the "allergy table", she starts to interact with her fellow outcasts and when the group realizes they all play instruments, the decide to form a band for the Halloween talent ...more

May 08, 2018
Laina SpareTime
added it
Cross-posted from my blog where there's more information on where I got my copy and everything.
Well now this was really cute. It's a short, quick read and not too deep, but it's a lot of fun and a nice light read that's a bit fluffy but doesn't erase the realities of a pretty serious situation. I honestly think this is great for the age range. It was still a lot of fun for me as an adult, but it reminds me so much of books I read as a kid. It's just sweet and fun and not too heavy.
The author has ...more
Well now this was really cute. It's a short, quick read and not too deep, but it's a lot of fun and a nice light read that's a bit fluffy but doesn't erase the realities of a pretty serious situation. I honestly think this is great for the age range. It was still a lot of fun for me as an adult, but it reminds me so much of books I read as a kid. It's just sweet and fun and not too heavy.
The author has ...more

They used to be two peas in a pod. Being inseparable from Brianna made a lot of things easier, including navigating middle school with lethal food allergies. Her friend is the reason why Nina was able to avoid sitting at the table reserved for others like her – other students with food allergies, who presence at said table labelled them as pariahs of sorts.
Then Brianna goes to Italy and doesn’t call Nina upon her return – the first sign that something has gone wrong. And it takes very little tim ...more
Then Brianna goes to Italy and doesn’t call Nina upon her return – the first sign that something has gone wrong. And it takes very little tim ...more

Thank you Net Galley and Sourcebooks for the opportunity to read and review this book.
I truly requested this book just for the cover and title!
This was such a good little short story, having finished it in a little over two hours. Nina starting seventh grade has had her BFF turn her back on her to be BFF's with the popular girl at school. So...she has no one to hang with. It doesn't help that she has food allergies and has to sit at the "special" table. Ugh.
I loved her character from the begin ...more
I truly requested this book just for the cover and title!
This was such a good little short story, having finished it in a little over two hours. Nina starting seventh grade has had her BFF turn her back on her to be BFF's with the popular girl at school. So...she has no one to hang with. It doesn't help that she has food allergies and has to sit at the "special" table. Ugh.
I loved her character from the begin ...more

One of the best books I have ever read in my entire life, this book had me at hello and continued to have my attention the whole time I was reading it! I absolutely love this book, Nina and the Epi Pens! I hated Brianna but really enjoyed reading about their friendship troubles. I went through an experience very similar and it's very upsetting having to go through that.It made me feel do happy that someone could go through the same experience I went through and that I'm not alone. My experience
...more
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I was born and raised in New York, but spent summers and school breaks with my father and his family in Tarpon Springs, Florida, a small Greek fishing community on the Gulf Coast. As the child of divorced parents, I was alone quite a bit, so I read... a lot.
I went to Vassar College and then grad school at NYU's Tisch School of the Arts. Now I live in New York's Hudson Valley and work as a freelan ...more
I went to Vassar College and then grad school at NYU's Tisch School of the Arts. Now I live in New York's Hudson Valley and work as a freelan ...more
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