All My Friends

Eagle Rock #3

by Hope Larson

From New York Times-bestselling and Eisner Award-winning creator Hope Larson comes All My Friends, the final standalone book in a middle grade graphic novel trilogy about friendship, family, and music. Perfect for fans of Real Friends by Shannon Hale.



Middle-schooler Bina has everything she's ever wanted. She has new friends and a new band whose song is about to be featured on her favorite television show.

But being in the spotlight is hard. When Bina and her band are offered a record deal, her parents are not thrilled. Now, Bina is barely speaking to her mom and dad. To make matters worse, Bina and her best friend, Austin, are still awkward around each other after their failed first date.

Can Bina untangle the various melodies in her heart? Or will fame go to her head?

Genres: Graphic Novels, Middle Grade, Comics, Music, Young Adult, Fiction, Realistic Fiction

192 pages, Paperback

First published January 25, 2022

About the author

Hope Larson is an American illustrator and comics artist. Hope Larson is the author of Salamander Dream, Gray Horses, Chiggers, and Mercury. She won a 2007 Eisner Award. She lives in Los Angeles, California.

Reviews

[Rod Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

The conclusion to a mild and slight slice-of-life trilogy about a teenage musician is the strongest entry yet, but I'm glad it reminded me of what happened in previous volumes because they had pretty much evaporated from my memory. Pleasant enough.

[Lata · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bina has a new band, Fancy Pink, and she and the other two girls are starting to get some interest after playing a gig. So much so that the band is offered a record deal, which all the girls’ parents are more than a little leery of, considering how the music industry treats bands, and girls and women in particular. Bina also begins dating a lead singer from a band they opened for, while she and her band members attempt to raise the money to record their songs.

Bina is again pretty self- absorbed and focused solely on making a career out of her music, and chooses to lie and act out a little when her and the other parents put the breaks on the record deal.

Thankfully, she grows up a little in this installment of this fun series, and even gets a second chance with someone close to her.

[Diana N. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every girl's dream, to be in a rock band!

Girl power! This book shows a never give up attitude when pursuing your dreams. My daughter loved this graphic novel from the characters to the pink style graphics.

This would be a great book for reluctant elementary school readers. My daughter wants to read more books in this series.

[Courtney (pawsitivelybookish) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one was my favorite of the series. I felt like everyone grew up and really came into their own. This has been a really fun series to read and I loved the illustrations.

[Lost in Book Land · Rating 5 out of 5]

Welcome Back!

This week has been a bit hectic but I kind of expected it as August tends to be when things pick up for me with both work and school. However, I have still been having a good reading month, at least so far, it is only August fifth but I am currently on my fifth read of the month! Which is absolutely amazing! My new nightstand stack has kind of motivated me a bit because there are just so many books I am excited to read so seeing them next to me all the time makes me want to grab a book a read! The other day I decided to pick up a few graphic novels and one of those was All My Friends! I was super fortunate to have an E-ARC of this from the publisher in exchange for my honest opinions, so I would like to give them a huge thank you! I have had the opportunity to read a few of Hope's other graphic novels and I absolutely loved my time with each of them so I was excited to give her newest work a try!

SPOILERS AHEAD

Bina and her friends have formed a band! Outside of middle school, they spend all of their time practicing and hoping to make it big someday and they think they might close! They are finally going to play a show, so practicing is more important now than ever, but when the day of the show comes there are some things practicing could never prepare them for such as strings breaking on stage. So after a disastrous first show, the friends regroup and keep practicing when an unlikely deal falls on their doorstep! One of the people at the show, who sells merch gave their song to, to their parents and they would like to buy it for a TV show they work on! The girls are so excited but their parents want to make sure this is a fair deal and once it is confirmed they get their first big break! Their song will be on television, on one of Bina's favorite shows! After this, they are offered an actual record deal! But after much deliberation, their parents are not going to let them take the deal. They are all super upset and come up with the idea to record their own record. But how does someone do that? What kind of money do they need?

This was such a cute graphic novel about music, friendship, growing up, and so much more. It was honestly just what I needed at the time to help me stay out of a reading slump and want to pick up even more books. On top of really enjoying the story and characters, the illustrations were really well done! I am definitely planning to pick up even more graphic novels by Hope Larson very soon, possibly even All Summer Long graphic novel (I think this might be part of a series)!

Goodreads Rating: 5 stars
P.S. Thank you so much to the publisher for sending an E-ARC in exchange for my honest opinions!

[Sophie_The_Jedi_Knight · Rating 3 out of 5]

*3.5

I read this series pretty quickly - and out of order - and it's an enjoyable enough middle-grade series. Bina is young, ambitious, and determined to make something with her new band. She argues with her parents about what she sees as overprotection, fluctuating between lying to them and coming clean. The lying stressed me out for Bina's sake, but I liked when she trusted her parents and her relationship with her bandmates. All of the dynamics with this series' previous characters worked nicely.

I was a tad disappointed about the resolution of Bina and Austin's relationship. From book 1, I liked their platonic male-female friendship. In book 2, Austin catches feelings but Bina doesn't, and they mutually agree to break off their nascent romance. However, in this book, Bina realizes (almost out of nowhere) that she likes Austin and wants to date him now. I like a good friends-to-lovers, don't get me wrong, but I was let down on the sudden shift in their dynamic.

3.5/5 stars.

[Cherlynn | cherreading · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gosh, this was soooo cute and fun! I had no idea it was the final book of a trilogy but it can definitely enjoyed as a standalone.

I love how this graphic novel tackles important themes without being overly heavy or stressful. Rather, all of it is simple and straightforward e.g. the protagonist feels bad for lying so she immediately comes clean and is forgiven, sexism is called out etc. It also nails what the teenage years are like. Remember what drama queens some of us we tended to be? LOL

Overall, a very entertaining read with gorgeous artwork and pink-white colour palette!

[Dakota Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sometimes it's nice to read books where everything just kinda works out. All My Friends is one of those books. It sweetly concludes the Eagle Rock series with our hero, Bina, taking her band to new heights, meeting new boys, and discovering that maybe what's she looking for in a crush has been right next door all along.

Every time a situation frustrates Bina (Mom and Dad won't let her sign a record deal! Ugh!), she and her friends figure out a solution. And then the solution works! In these doom and gloom times, it's honestly so uplifting to read a book where problems are solved. Sure, it might not be super realistic, but I'll take it.

[Casey · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh. I feel like this series was just a waste. I enjoyed the first two, I liked the drama and I feel like they were building the same thing. But in my opinion the ending was so lackluster, I’m not sure what the point was. If Hope decided to write more in the series I would probably read them, but I’m guessing she’s gonna end with Just this trilogy. I dunno some good parts but ultimately disappointing.

[Jaclyn Hillis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the series, and I liked it more as I continued - so the third was my favorite. I loved seeing Bina’s character growth throughout the story. At times she was self-absorbed and didn’t care about anything but making music, and at others she was really thoughtful. Her parents and brothers were super supportive and very realistic. My favorite part though was when her parents used Kesha as an example of how cruel the music industry can be, especially for teen girls like herself.

All My Friends goes on sale 09/28/2021. Thank you Macmillan Children's Publishing Group and NetGalley for the advanced reading copy.

[Danielle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've had a lot of mixed feelings on this series, but really enjoyed this final book. It's so rewarding to see Bina and her band actually start to make it big and influence other people, as well as get support from other musicians.

[Kai Charles(Fiction State Of Mind) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bina and her new band find success and struggle to balance their dreams with obeying their parents. More great adventures and sweet romance.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great ending to this trilogy!

[lucy grace ౨ৎ · Rating 4 out of 5]

couldnt get over coopers hair I'm sorry but 🤮
this was good tho bina and Austin forever

[Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

[Ashley (Chris's version) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved the book and loved the characters. I loved how Bina and her friends want to make their dreams come true and become a real band. I had no idea it was a series I got the book as a free book at my local library for the summer reading program.

[Sierra · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had no idea this was a trilogy, or that this was the 3rd book. :(. But i will read the first 2 eventually

[Shaena Peters · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honest review from my 9 year old/Reviewed for Netgalley:

All My Friends is a sweet, funny , and great story with wonderful illustrations. I can actually hear the songs when Bina sings and I can relate to the characters and feel their emotions. I would definitely recommend to my friends and expect to see on the shelf of my school library.

[Shell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute conclusion to a cute series

[Tina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think I love this volume more than 1, and 2 and that's saying a lot. All the teen feels!

[Josh Rhodes · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a nearly lifelong musician (saxophone at 9, bass at 15, guitar at 19) and a big fan of Hope Larson (my love for Compass South/Knife’s Edge is matched only by my inability to get people to read it) I was almost guaranteed to like this series, and I do – it captures much of what it’s like to be in a band, especially that early, primal drive that draws people together because they just gotta play for other people. Bina’s experiences with her bands have always seemed a little easier than I would expect, and while I suspect the truest explanation is “because it’s more interesting that way,” I’d also consider it reasonable that it’s simply from living in LA, and thus having easier-than-the-American-average access to the kind of people that can help you along the way.

One obvious such departure from realism this time was a record label offering Bina’s band a recording contract. And while their parents’ universal refusal to let them accept kept the story grounded in the much more likely scenario of fundraising to try to record an album on their own, that refusal… ugh, it’s been a while since something in fiction upset me so much.

The music industry is not one where if you’re really good, someone’s sure to notice eventually, one way or another, no matter what path you take. The music industry is one in which people with world-class talent can struggle for decades with absolutely nothing to show for it. For these poor, admittedly fictitious musicians’ parents (motivated by a view of music-as-a-career as inherently exploitative and likely to lead to disaster, in a way that is about as nuanced as a rural 50’s household’s conviction that rock and roll is the devil’s music) to forbid them from getting a record deal…it’s unforgiveable.

In that scenario, I don’t think I’d ever want to speak to my parents again (and, to add insult to injury, Bina’s parents, previously depicted as fairly relaxed and down-to-earth, cruelly force her to write an obviously insincere apology merely for being upset with them over this decision.) It’s roughly the equivalent of forcing your kid to give up a full-ride scholarship because you don’t approve of their major; a decision that can easily derail a whole life into being worse than it might have been otherwise.

The saving grace, of course, is that part of being a teenager is realizing that your parents aren’t always right and don’t automatically make the best decisions for you. And I don’t think the parental permission fiasco is something the narrative wholly endorses; it’s not heavy-handed and that makes it easier to have some conflicting emotions about the whole thing.

[Helen Farch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bina and her friends are riding high on the success their band, Fancy Pink, is having. One of their songs is being used for a new TV show and a label wants to sign them for a deal. But there is just one problem - their parents won't let them.

Frustrated by what they feel is their parents trying to hold them back, the group decide to raise the money to record their own EP.

Can they keep their fundraising efforts and recording plans secret from their parents?

And while all this is happening, Bina is dealing with losing her best friend after a failed first-date and then the lead singer of another band is asking her to sing a guest vocal on his recording and asking her out on a date.

But when her dream guy turns out to not be quite what he seems, Bina begins to realise that her feelings for her best friend might just be more than what she thought. But how will she win him back when he won't even see her?

This is a lot to deal with all at once.

This fun graphic novel is the 3rd in a series but can be read as a stand-alone.

Covering big issues such as changing friendship groups, parents wanting to stop you growing up too fast, toxic relationships and first love, this will appeal to teenagers who are just starting to find their own passions and spread their wings.

Thanks to Pan Macmillan Australia for the review copy of this book.

[Mark Will Never Cry · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book makes me even more confused about the quality of the second book in this trilogy, as now, when it is compared to both the first and the third books, it really does look just bad. However, this is book 3, so let's focus on that.
The main conflict arises from parents doing absolutely no research and telling the main character and her band, that they cannot be signed into a label, because they have heard stories about people being signed into label and it turning out terribly for them. Which is always a fun setup, you know, it really makes you care, that the parents of the characters are enforcing rules based on their judgement alone, because that is always a good thing (I do not like the conflict of this book). I also disagree with the other plot present in the book, so it was a great thing when both of the stories were laid out in front of us.
I feel like I really lost something from reading the entire series, the first book feels very thought out and mature, while the other two are a disappointment, because of how good the first book was. This book is a disappoinment and a let down. However, it is fast to read and if you just wanna waste an hour or two - read it, just do not expect it to be the best fiction you have experienced in your life.

[Chelsea · Rating 4 out of 5]

* I received a copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review *

I love these oddball musician middle-schoolers so much and I need more of their adventures in my life. This book is like a love-letter to every kid who thought "We should start a band" when they were younger (whether you actually did or not lol). It captures the angst of teenage friendships and crushes and rebellion so well and pulled me back to my (more) awkward days so many times. It's the third book in the Eagle Rock series and while it makes some sense as a standalone, I highly recommending reading the books in order to fully appreciate the story. The art is lovely and I especially enjoy how well the characters' emotions are captured. It's also impressive for any book about music to make musical scenes interesting when you cannot hear them, but it works here. I think this is a great option for any music fan, young reader dealing with middle-school woes, or older reader looking to return to that time when everything seemed possible if you and your friends could just hatch the right scheme.

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bina's life as a musician had a rocky start in All Summer Long, but now things are running smoothly. So smoothly in fact that the band is getting gigs and even an offer from a record label. Bina, and the other girls' parents, are concerned that the girls are too young to get swept up in the professional music world. So how will the band rally in the face of these challenges without tipping off their parents to the plan? Only time will tell.

I enjoyed reading this follow-up to All Summer Long. Following characters as their story progresses is one of my favorite things to do as a reader. The art is well done and adds a lot of energy to the story. The story of kids following their dreams is always welcome in a world that tells more kids that they can't than they can. I will definitely add this to my middle school library collection.

[Tamikan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group for a digital ARC of this book.

Pros:
-Spot on artwork
-Funny and relatable band moments

Cons:
-I would love to see it in full color instead of monochromatic
-The ending message regarding dating

I've very torn about this one. As far as the music/band side of the story goes, this is definitely great. But where it falls flat with me is the romance side of the story. I felt like the previous one was so strong ending with Bina not needed to date anyone, but we jump right back into dating in this one. Then she realizes she actually does like Austin because he remembered her In-n-Out order? Ugh! I guess if I was the target audience of this book I might want that, but as an educator of the target audience, I wish the overall message would have valued friendships over relationships.

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars
Book 3 in the Eagle Rock series - although it can stand alone; author gives enough back story. Bina is 14 and finishing middle school. She and some friends are in a band (Fancy Pink) that is doing quite well. They are starting to open for other, bigger names and drawing attention in other ways as well. However, as they are in middle school, their parents are putting reasonable limits on their activities - to Fancy Pink's dismay and disappointment. There is also some romance drama (hand holding only).

I like that there is interracial marriage, the parents are strict yet reasonable at the same time, and the teens are portrayed in an authentic manner.

I did not like that the graphics are all in shades of pink, black, and white - although I understand that it's a ply on the band name. I had a little difficulty telling two of the band members apart.

[Amy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Solid story about a group of young teenage musicians rising up in the LA music scene. The story primarily focuses on 3 girls who decide to self produce a CD after their parents, concerned about handing over their children to the predator-filled music industry, prevent them from signing with a label. Despite the parents' concerns the music community the teenagers operate in is fairly clean, with most participants in the 15-18 year old range (which seems unlikely, but maybe up and comers are really that young?). I can't comment on the artwork because the eARC provided by the publisher had been altered to avoid plagiarism to such an extent only the outlines of characters were visible (and even then, barely so).

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another adventure with Bina and her musician friends! I really enjoyed the first two books in this series and definitely recommend reading them first, however, this works pretty well as a stand-alone. The art is great, the story is fun and engaging, and I like seeing the progress of Bina's personal relationships. Bina and her new band, Fancy Pink, are getting some great opportunities to play around town and perhaps even record a record! Bina also sees herself with a new love interest, and perhaps a love interest from the past. This is perfect for fans of Raina Telgemeire. (Read a digital ARC via Netgalley.)

[Sarah Sammis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book covers the months between a successful (more or less) first live show and the release of the band's first album. Along the way Bina gets pushback from her parents (as do her bandmates). She makes the decision to go behind their back to further her career and her band's but her parents aren't that blind to what she's doing.

Fortunately Bina is written as a character with agency and common sense. Sure — some of the risks she take are extra risky given her age. But she's working in a fairly safe, close-knit subset of the Los Angeles music scene. She's a fairly good judge of character and over the trilogy has amassed a group of trustworthy friends and supporters.

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