INSTAFAMOUS

Twelve-year-old Lyric Whitney Houston Darby feels destined to be a star.

Her best friends, Saanvi Patel and Georgia Reign, support her every step of the way. Her mother found fame with her band (called Love, Jade), and Lyric feels that now is her chance to do the same. The next competition for the TV show American Rockstar will be in her hometown of Santa Monica, California. Her mother insists that the show exploits young people and offers them unfair contracts, but Lyric is determined and secretly takes the steps necessary to enter. For example, getting cast as Dorothy in her school’s production of The Wiz meets the “experience” requirement for entry. But as Lyric works to grow her social media following, she quickly learns the true cost of fame as she gets wrapped up in stardom and begins to neglect important parts of her life. Witty prose and modern preteen slang make this an enjoyable and entertaining read. Readers get a glimpse into the life of a girl who, despite all the positives in her life, still grapples with “mental monsters.” Kendrick discusses therapy and the importance of protecting your mental health, as well as being your true self and a good friend. Lyric’s mom is Black, and her dad is white; there’s ample racial diversity in the supporting cast.

A relatable story of navigating ambition and relationships, with valuable mental health representation.