The Beat Goes on

by Adele Minchin

People don't want to talk about it. they're scared they might catch it....nobody realizes that there are people like emma out there who have just had a bit of bad luck from one careless mistake. From "The Beat Goes On" At fifteen shy Leyla looks up to her sixteen-year-old cousin, Emma. Beautiful, confident, and popular with boys, Emma seems to have it all. But when Emma learns that she's HIV positive after having unprotected sex just once, Leyla must be the strong one. Supporting her cousin through all the changes, even teaching music to kids in Emma's support group, Leyla promises to keep it "all" a secret. But when Leyla's gorgeous new boyfriend thinks condoms are optional, and Emma's health begins to decline, Leyla realizes people will never be safe unless they are aware. Will she find the courage to speak out and make people understand?

Genres: Young Adult, Romance

164 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2001

About the author

Adele Minchin has worked in public relations for four years, first at Campaign Against the Arms Trade and currently in publishing. She is a volunteer at Body and Soul, the self-help organization that supports adults and young people living with or affected by HIV/AIDS.

The Beat Goes On is her first novel and, shortly after its first publication, won the Branford Boase Award for fiction in the UK. Adele Minchin resides in London, England.

Reviews

[sonia · Rating 4 out of 5]

i don't remember what the book was about but i read it while on vacation in mexico and i loved it, so im for sure going to have to reread it.

[Simone · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars

[Lyndsey O'Halloran · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have quite a big problem with YA books that make teenagers out to be something they’re not. Set in Manchester, I felt like Adele Minchin really got these teenage characters right. From the way they spoke to their excitement about going out to clubs underage, I could picture myself in their place. After all, I was 15 when this book was published so around the same age as the characters and getting up to the same kinds of things. Even though I’m now 24, I could still relate to the characters in a big way. Some of the pop culture references are now quite dated, the message still stays loud and clear.

The issue of teenagers with HIV is brought up very early on in the story and I was very thankful for this. Being about such an important topic, I didn’t want this book to skirt around it in any way. The information about HIV is quite detailed, from how Emma contracted the disease to what her body was and would be going through. It was very interesting to see how Emma was coping with having HIV and how she was trying to still lead a life as normal as possible. I couldn’t possibly even begin to comprehend how difficult it must have been for her to realise how much her life was going to change and to figure out how to deal with something that big.

Another thing that I really liked about this book was Leyla. It was nice to see her and Emma stay so close through a time so hard and I was glad to see that Leyla never took a step back. She was always there for her cousin, no matter what, and would have done anything she asked if she thought it would have helped her a little bit. The news affected Leyla in such a big way and it really made me think about what I would have done if someone so close to me came to me with the same kind of thing. Emma’s HIV also makes Leyla think about things in her own life and ultimately, changes the way she thinks about everything and the people around her.

Even though The Beat Goes On has a strong message, it was nice to see some romance in there as well. Leyla and Darren’s relationship didn’t take anything away from everything else that was happening but it managed to give the story a lighter feel at times. I think that teenage readers could get a little overwhelmed if it wasn’t for this aspect of the story. Other issues being dealt with are teenagers figuring out their own identity and the problems of family dynamics. I truly feel that there is a lot that teenagers, as well as adults, can relate to in this book.

I wish that I had read more as a teenager and had found this book. I really believe that it could make people think differently about their actions and what the repercussions could be. If I could go back to being my 15 year old self, I would give me this book as a gift. For any parents not knowing how to approach this subject with their kids, then this would be an ideal way.

[LeAnne · Rating 2 out of 5]

Fifteen-year-old Leyla begins to see HIV in a new way when she learns that her sixteen-year-old cousin, Emma, is infected. The Beat Goes On deals with an important subject: Teens need to know that it isnt just those people who get HIV. It can affect anyone and even with modern medications, there is no escaping the impact on your life.

The book portrays stigma in the UK and the loneliness of having something so overwhelming going on in your life that you cant talk about. It shows a teen standing against the tide to reach out to others who arent all that different from her. I was moved by the ending and hint of resolution of family relationships.

The setting is Englishprobably too English for most American readers with its contemporary British slang. I was frustrated by the slow pace produced by a first person narrator that too often told us about the people and events (for 7 pages at the beginning!) rather than using scene to let us experience the story along with the characters. The editor in me wanted to cut the places where dialog sounded designed to convey the information in the pamphlets the girls were reading, rather than reflect the way teens would actually talk. The author could have added to the impact by showing what happened to the girl who got tested at the same time, but never went to find out the results, and the boy who had infected Emma. The book assumes that sexual activity is a normal part of a healthy relationship even for fifteen-year-olds, and the message to condomize is as loud as that to not stigmatize.

[Renee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Leyla wishes for drama in her “boring” teenage life in Bury, England. But when her favorite cousin is diagnosed as HIV positive and Leyla must keep the knowledge secret, she no longer wants her wish. Leyla struggles with several issues including her own progressing relationship with Darren, convincing her parents that she want to be a drummer and supporting her cousin Emma. Leyla is a strong and likeable character. Though the story takes place in England, American teenagers will not have trouble relating to the life-like characters’ struggles and British lingo is not pervasive. The unattractive cover of a woman’s face hides the inner beauty of this book. The primary audience is teenage girls who know someone with a long-term disease.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked how this book was based for teens and it was very straightforward and honest. It was a quick read and I found it to be very realistic. I would have liked to have seen the book be longer so issues could have ben better discussed and dealt with. For example the part with Leyla and Darren would have liked to have seen safe sex explored more and than they actually use a condom. I would have liked to have seen Emma get in a relationship and explore the struggles with that like telling her interest of her HIV status. I did like how this brought the family closer togther in one aspect but still far apart from each other in another aspect. I would like to see the continuation of this story.

[Annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I great YA novel that focuses on the topic of AIDS/HIV from a teen persepective. I really enjoyed this book and identified with the main character and her sense of confusion as to why bad things happen to good people and what change/difference she can make for others. This was a debut novel back in 2004, but the other has nother else written to date, which is a great shame.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good look at a teen suffering with HIV and the love and support the teen needs. I also liked it because it didn't forget to mention that the teen was foolish herself and got herself into the mess. It's an honest and realistic portrayal of teen life and the things that happen when you are not careful.

[Shakira · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Beat Goes On was quite a good book. I would really recommend it for teenagers facing trouble with HIV/AIDS whether it's personally or around you. Or even if you are like me, and just wanted to read the book to find out HIV truths and myths. So, The Beat Goes On is quite an OKAY read.

[Julie · Rating 2 out of 5]

While really informative, every time someone spoke it was in paragraphs...there was no part that made me super excited or really feel for the characters

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book gives an insight into HIV but not so much.