thePULSEBy Stephanie Monahan
Johnny Valentine is 11 years old and a pop sensation (think a per-pubescent Justin Bieber) with a lot to balance: his mother, who is also his manager; girls who seem to love him only for as long as he can keep their attention; a father he can barely remember; and a career that already may be fading. Not to mention homework.
It’s not surprising that Johnny is constantly at battle with himself. A part of him just wants to be a kid, playing video games and counting on the adults in his life to take care of him. The other part loves the power that comes with celebrity, manipulating hotel clerks and sneaking out to parties with the college-aged kids in the band on tour with him.
Like many kid stars, Johnny’s been let down by the adults in his life. Abandoned by his father years ago, Johnny stalks message boards in the hope of reconnecting with him. Meanwhile, his mother might be just as bad of an influence on him as the child predators she warns him about. When he wants to leave a party early, she guilts him into staying, so she can mingle with celebrities and meet men.
Then there’s the music. His songs may be the typical packaged pop of Disney stars, but Johnny actually cares about music. He’s always thinking about what makes a good song and a good performance. At the same time, he’s fully aware that he’s a commodity and that his fame will last only as long as he can keep topping himself (and outselling his nemesis, Tyler Sparks). Johnny is constantly struggling with what his life is and what he wants it to be ~ and that’s what makes a book about an 11-year-old pop star so relatable.
What I love most about the book is Johnny’s voice ~ hilarious, matter-of-fact, wise beyond his years and sometimes sad. As he says about the maintenance staff at the area where he’s performing, “Mexican guys never know who I am. They’re too busy working to follow celebrities. And celebrities are to busy being celebrities to pay attention to Mexican guys. It’s like neither one knows the other exists.”
The book is filled with Johnny’s perceptions about the world around him, including everything from his newfound sexuality to social media to family. And though I don’t have any Bieber on my iPod, Johnny’s story made me think twice about underestimating him.
To find The Love Song of Johnny Valentine, visit amazon.com.
