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Blues Bones
Thirteen-year-old Rodney Becker has found the perfect cure for stage fright. Voodoo!
Armed with the stolen finger bones of a dead blues guitar player and a mishmash of voodoo spells from the Internet, he and his best friend enter a graveyard at midnight to perform their ritual. Now, all that stands in his way of winning a local guitar competition is the power of RETURN – a side effect of the voodoo that spells disaster for Rodney.
His cure has become a curse. How else can he explain jamming his finger so bad he can't hold a guitar pick, his part-time dad stealing his guitar, and his mom getting into an accident that could have taken her life?
How much is Rodney willing to risk to achieve his dream of being a guitar legend?
Armed with the stolen finger bones of a dead blues guitar player and a mishmash of voodoo spells from the Internet, he and his best friend enter a graveyard at midnight to perform their ritual. Now, all that stands in his way of winning a local guitar competition is the power of RETURN – a side effect of the voodoo that spells disaster for Rodney.
His cure has become a curse. How else can he explain jamming his finger so bad he can't hold a guitar pick, his part-time dad stealing his guitar, and his mom getting into an accident that could have taken her life?
How much is Rodney willing to risk to achieve his dream of being a guitar legend?
Unknown Binding
Published March 1, 2016
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144 people want to read
About the author
Rick Starkey
4 books10 followersRick Starkey is a graduate of the Institute of Children’s Literature, and a current member of the S.C.B.W.I. His main interest is writing novels for middle grade. Rick has sold short pieces to Highlights for Children including a game, magic tricks, and a short story.
Rick lives in a 200-year-old log cabin in the Great Smoky Arts and Crafts Community in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, where he and his wife, Betty, own and run Make It Magic, a magic shop and craft store. A day in Rick’s life includes recommending and performing magic tricks for customers of all ages, carving a bear from a log with a chainsaw, playing his guitar, and working on his next novel.
Join him on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/RickStarkeyW...
And his blog. http://rjstarkey.blogspot.com
Rick lives in a 200-year-old log cabin in the Great Smoky Arts and Crafts Community in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, where he and his wife, Betty, own and run Make It Magic, a magic shop and craft store. A day in Rick’s life includes recommending and performing magic tricks for customers of all ages, carving a bear from a log with a chainsaw, playing his guitar, and working on his next novel.
Join him on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/RickStarkeyW...
And his blog. http://rjstarkey.blogspot.com
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
March 21, 2016
A great book for middle-graders!
Rodney Becker is on his way to becoming a star. His online music video “Unplugged” has already received over 1,000 hits. There’s only one problem. Well, actually two. Problem number 1: the video was posted by none other than Eddie Reed, Rodney’s worst enemy. Problem number 2: “Unplugged” is a humiliating showcase of Rodney unplugging his guitar and running off stage without playing a single chord.
If Rodney has any hope of winning the music competition only a month away, he has to get over his stage fright. When he notices a rabbit’s foot attached to the guitar strap of a famous rock star, he realizes he needs a good luck charm. An internet search leads Rodney and his best friend Max to Voodoo. With a simple spell, Rodney will be cured—unless something backfires. Then he’ll have to deal with the power of return, which will bring him three times more bad luck than he started with.
The only reason I gave this book four stars is because I don’t think it’s scary enough to be classified as horror. However, it’s a great book where everything that can go wrong does go wrong for Rodney Becker. The author does a great job portraying original characters with a spot-on first person narrative from an eighth grade boy. There are also many guitar/recording references that any music lover will appreciate. All in all, this is a wonderful debut, and I look forward to reading more from this author.
Rodney Becker is on his way to becoming a star. His online music video “Unplugged” has already received over 1,000 hits. There’s only one problem. Well, actually two. Problem number 1: the video was posted by none other than Eddie Reed, Rodney’s worst enemy. Problem number 2: “Unplugged” is a humiliating showcase of Rodney unplugging his guitar and running off stage without playing a single chord.
If Rodney has any hope of winning the music competition only a month away, he has to get over his stage fright. When he notices a rabbit’s foot attached to the guitar strap of a famous rock star, he realizes he needs a good luck charm. An internet search leads Rodney and his best friend Max to Voodoo. With a simple spell, Rodney will be cured—unless something backfires. Then he’ll have to deal with the power of return, which will bring him three times more bad luck than he started with.
The only reason I gave this book four stars is because I don’t think it’s scary enough to be classified as horror. However, it’s a great book where everything that can go wrong does go wrong for Rodney Becker. The author does a great job portraying original characters with a spot-on first person narrative from an eighth grade boy. There are also many guitar/recording references that any music lover will appreciate. All in all, this is a wonderful debut, and I look forward to reading more from this author.
April 29, 2016
This was an interesting read. The story starts off with great energy, the pace, and true-to-life characters. I loved the premise.
After an embarrassing “unplugged” version of thirteen-year-old, Rodney Becker’s last performance of him frozen on stage was blasted online; he sets out to win the Music Today Talent Show. With the help of his buddy, Max, who convinces him he can do it even if his nemesis, Eddy Manford can hit every note, and doesn’t freeze up on stage.
Rodney Becker, guitar hopeful, can play, he just becomes nervous on stage. So nervous he shuts down. With the contest one month away, he has time to get his act together. Rodney has the grand idea that he can use a good luck charm or some kind of magic spell to help him get over his stage fright. He and his buddy Max locate the ultimate good luck charm. But after the boys acquire this charm—by stealing it, things go wrong, terribly wrong. I don't want to give anything away!
As a years-long student of guitar myself, I found much to enjoy in BLUES BONES. The reader experiences time in a recording studio, and from my experience, the technical aspects were woven into the narrative quite well. You’ll learn a few things about the recording music, and maybe a couple things about playing guitar.
After an embarrassing “unplugged” version of thirteen-year-old, Rodney Becker’s last performance of him frozen on stage was blasted online; he sets out to win the Music Today Talent Show. With the help of his buddy, Max, who convinces him he can do it even if his nemesis, Eddy Manford can hit every note, and doesn’t freeze up on stage.
Rodney Becker, guitar hopeful, can play, he just becomes nervous on stage. So nervous he shuts down. With the contest one month away, he has time to get his act together. Rodney has the grand idea that he can use a good luck charm or some kind of magic spell to help him get over his stage fright. He and his buddy Max locate the ultimate good luck charm. But after the boys acquire this charm—by stealing it, things go wrong, terribly wrong. I don't want to give anything away!
As a years-long student of guitar myself, I found much to enjoy in BLUES BONES. The reader experiences time in a recording studio, and from my experience, the technical aspects were woven into the narrative quite well. You’ll learn a few things about the recording music, and maybe a couple things about playing guitar.
February 27, 2016
The main character, Rodney, suffers from stage fright, but with a big audition coming up he has to find a way to make it through a performance without freezing up.
So many kids suffer from one kind of stage fright to another whether it's raising their hand in class, giving a speech, or trying out for something they really want. Author, Rick Starkey, makes the reader feel the desperation Rodney is going through, and then takes us on a journey that just might be Rodney's only way out. The twists and turns are entwined with a love of music that denotes not only Rodney's expertise but also the author's. And, the fact that Rodney has a supportive, but often weird friend makes the plot move quickly.
I received an ARC of this book for an honest review. Let me just say, that I loved this book so much that I can't wait to buy a copy. Congratulations, Rick Starkey, on you first--and hopefully not last--novel. This one is definitely a keeper.
So many kids suffer from one kind of stage fright to another whether it's raising their hand in class, giving a speech, or trying out for something they really want. Author, Rick Starkey, makes the reader feel the desperation Rodney is going through, and then takes us on a journey that just might be Rodney's only way out. The twists and turns are entwined with a love of music that denotes not only Rodney's expertise but also the author's. And, the fact that Rodney has a supportive, but often weird friend makes the plot move quickly.
I received an ARC of this book for an honest review. Let me just say, that I loved this book so much that I can't wait to buy a copy. Congratulations, Rick Starkey, on you first--and hopefully not last--novel. This one is definitely a keeper.
May 27, 2016
I am rounding a 3.5 up to a 4. I thought this book had a good story line and it was an entertaining read. I have passed it on to my middle school daughter. She read the back and said that at first she thought it didn't look interesting, but the more she read of the description the more it pulled her in. Now as a 45 year old I am not the intended audience of the book, but here are some of my thoughts. I thought this book had an opportunity to teach a lesson, the main character does something dishonest in the book and although he rectifies it, he does not own up to his mistake. I wish he had done so. I also thought that the relationship between the character and his mother and father didn't feel genuine. But even with this issues I thought the book was a good read. I received this book in a give away, but the opinion is all my own.
March 8, 2016
The main character, Rodney, is well-developed and struggles with fears that many of us face; stage fright. His love for music and his ambition to find his purpose is relatable and genuine. The details of the book enable the reader to appreciate the wonderful area in which we live. Rodney's struggles to find his way draw the reader closer in to empathize with him and his decisions. This book has something for the music lover and the non-music lover alike. Rodney's character makes you want to have compassion for his struggle and his bad choices. This is a must read.
March 17, 2016
Rodney has stage fright and can’t play the guitar like he knows he can during competitions. Enter a mysterious songwriter, a bag containing finger bones of a dead guitar player, and voodoo spells, and Rodney’s life unravels. He and the people around him suffer during his pursuit to fix his problem. He has to make things right…and fast. This horror read has the perfect mix of middle school angst and creepiness.
December 18, 2016
Blues Bones by Rick Starkey is an exciting teen book about a boy the is a guitar player with talent but has stage fright. He is desperate to find a way to cure this and is led to an extreme measure. Carrying around a stolen finger bone of a dead guitar player is the plan! See how it works in this action packed, fun, and crazy novel. Enjoyed it completely. Great plot, well developed characters, and lots of unique ideas. Never boring. I received this book from NetGalley for a honest review.
March 9, 2016
Blues Bones was such a fun read. What kid--young or old--can resist a voodoo spell in a graveyard at midnight?! Once Rodney dabbles in the black arts, things go from bad to worse. I loved following along, rooting for Rodney as he figured out how to fix things...or how to come to terms with what couldn't be fixed. Great for magic lovers, music lovers, and middle grade readers alike.
March 7, 2016
enjoyed it so much I didn't want to stop. Couldn't wait to see what was going to happen to Rodney next.
May 17, 2016
An innovative and originally terrifying horror novel
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews