With the end of the week finally here, it's time for some music and fun. Today's read might meet this requirement. It's the first in a new series for middle grade readers and comes with a song to listen to, too...I think. I noticed it's only 105 pages, which is always a nice change-up for those readers, who don't always want to dive into a huge novel. I'm expecting some school drama, and maybe, the beginnings of a music band?
Let's open it up and find out!
BEST FRIENDS
The Orion Sessions, Book One
by Cheryl Daveiga
Waterhole Productions LLC
Middle Grade Contemporary
105 pages
ages 10 to 13
At thirteen, Orion Casey has stopped singing—and it’s not because she stopped loving it. After the girls everyone follows start talking about her instead of to her, she’s done performing for anyone.
Then the mysterious messages start. Anonymous. Encouraging. A little too perfectly timed.
Someone’s been watching her—really paying attention—and part of Orion can’t help hoping it’s the one person she wishes would notice her back. The texts spark a confidence she didn’t know she had—enough to discover songwriting and find her way back to music.
But as friendships shift and secrets surface, Orion begins to wonder: when your sense of self keeps changing based on who’s watching, how do you figure out who you really are?
Perfect for readers ages 10–13, Best Friends launches The Orion Sessions, a contemporary middle-grade series that blends music, friendship, and self-discovery. Written in a fast-paced style and paired with original songs readers can listen to, this coming-of-age story explores the pressures of middle school—where belonging, betrayal, and social media can shape how you see yourself.
The novel was shared with 7th graders at Dodd Middle School in Connecticut before publication, where Orion’s story resonated strongly with students.
Then the mysterious messages start. Anonymous. Encouraging. A little too perfectly timed.
Someone’s been watching her—really paying attention—and part of Orion can’t help hoping it’s the one person she wishes would notice her back. The texts spark a confidence she didn’t know she had—enough to discover songwriting and find her way back to music.
But as friendships shift and secrets surface, Orion begins to wonder: when your sense of self keeps changing based on who’s watching, how do you figure out who you really are?
Perfect for readers ages 10–13, Best Friends launches The Orion Sessions, a contemporary middle-grade series that blends music, friendship, and self-discovery. Written in a fast-paced style and paired with original songs readers can listen to, this coming-of-age story explores the pressures of middle school—where belonging, betrayal, and social media can shape how you see yourself.
The novel was shared with 7th graders at Dodd Middle School in Connecticut before publication, where Orion’s story resonated strongly with students.
MY TIDBITS
Wholesome middle grade drama meets music and forming friendships to create an enjoyable read.
13-year-old Orion doesn't feel comfortable with herself, anymore, and ends up in awkward situations more than she'd like. It doesn't help that not all the kids at school are kind, and worse yet, she can't even grab the attention of her crush for more than a nano-second...if that. Then, the weird messages start coming in on her phone from someone called J. They are supportive and nice but tend to know quite a bit about her life...which is creepy. But things might just be about to take some unexpected twists.
Fans of middle school drama and music are sure to enjoy diving into this one. It's a quick-paced read, which gives just enough description to set the scenes and lets the plot and characters move everything forward. There isn't time for boredom as events keep rolling with every turn of the page. Add that it's a shorter read, and even reluctant readers won't be scared away. While this is for the middle grade audience, I'd recommend it for the lower/middle end and those readers who just want to enjoy a quick, smooth tale with heart. The author doesn't spend much time sinking deep into moments, which keeps the tale moving along but also doesn't give the depth slightly older readers might enjoy.
The characters come across naturally, and the situations connect well with real life. There's tons of goodness surrounding friendship and being yourself, which adds inspiration, too. The inclusion of songs to listen to add an extra bonus and are just as enjoyable as the tale itself. It's a lovely start to a series, which promises lots more to come.
And here she is...
Cheryl DaVeiga once set aside her songwriting dreams for a career in accounting—eventually becoming a partner at a national firm before finding her way back to music. Today she’s an ASCAP award-winning songwriter and the author of seven acclaimed picture books. Her new middle-grade trilogy, The Orion Sessions, blends music and storytelling in the journey of a girl who loses her voice and fights to get it back. Because some stories can only be written by someone who’s lived them.
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