Punk Rock Karaoke

February 1, 2024
Grades 9-12 In vibrant, chaotic, and energetic artwork, Xunise brings to life a real, messy, and passionate Chicago South Side punk rock scene. The story follows Ariel (Ari), Gael, and Michele, who started a band called Baby Hares during freshman year of high school. They've just graduated and are dealing with the responsibilities and changes of new adulthood while trying to make it as a band. Will family hardships, college, and new relationships crush Baby Hares' dreams? Music fans of many stripes will appreciate the intro boxes for each character that give a few bands as that person's soundtrack along with their age, zodiac sign, and pronouns, as well as background Easter eggs for real and parody bands (possibly including the title). The inclusion of a zine excerpt by a fan of the main characters' band at the end of the work completes the personal and creative vibe of the book and the culture it represents. Incredibly grounded in its neighborhood and scene, this is a great ride from start to finish.

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Starred review from February 5, 2024
With verve seemingly summoned straight from a vintage dive, Xunise tells an electrifying tale of passion and the pursuit of punk dreams in this graphic novel debut. Band Baby Hares’ lead singer Ariel Grace Jones—who sports dynamic green curls and a septum piercing—and their friends, bassist Michele and drummer Gael, are determined to make it big in the music industry and escape the limits of Chicago’s South Side. But lately, post-graduation realities and tensions have cast a shadow over their aspirations, prompting Ariel to question the viability of their dreams. Just when Baby Hares comes close to hanging up the drumstick, a local punk luminary steps in to provide a final glimmer of hope. Utilizing a gripping narrative, relatable situations, and evocative artwork with an aesthetic that oozes with late-1970s zine flair, Xunise imbues this comic with a fervent exuberance that embodies the ethos of punk: being real and true to oneself, building community around unfettered self-expression, and creating lasting art that doesn’t subscribe to the mainstream. In doing so, each panel incorporates the robustness of punk’s endless energy, creating a singular and resonant visual experience that will transport readers to a world that challenges the ordinary. Ages 14–up.

February 15, 2024
Three punks on the verge of adulthood vow to have a summer they'll never forget. Black 19-year-old Ariel Grace Jones loves English punk band the X-Ray Spex, best friends Michele Covarrubias and Gael Certi, moshing in the pit, and playing in their band, Baby Hares. Now it's the summer after high school, and in between going to--and playing in--as many gigs as possible, everyone's making plans for the future. The three self-styled misfits grapple with feminist punk ideologies while trying to hold down jobs, support their families, and figure out their futures in a world that feels like a toxic wasteland of labor exploitation. As the trio grow into adulthood and their own aspirations, they deal with the complexities of romance and first-time sex, the ups and downs of both alternative and traditional families, and their changing relationships with oppressive societal beliefs. This impressionistically drawn graphic novel, illustrated predominantly in bright shades of purple, green, and yellow, has a pace as breakneck as a two-minute hardcore song and is a love letter to young punks. With its zine-inspired aesthetic and tone, this debut, which centers gender and racial diversity, welcomes anyone interested in exploring alternative scenes with a feminist-leftist bent. The story closes with a zine highlighting the punk community and values. A vibrant, inclusive, feminist, punk-rock homage, guide, and coming-of-age story. (Graphic fiction. 14-18)

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Starred review from April 1, 2024

Gr 10 Up-The summer after high school graduation is one of change for Ariel Jones; they can think of no better way than listening to live music with their friends and writing new songs for their band, Baby Hares. But life gets in the way and tensions increase between friends, especially when it comes to jobs and relationships. When a local band's lead singer, Clyde, begins to see Ariel's talents, will they work through their issues with their friends, or allow their path to be driven by infatuation? Xunise uses their experiences as a Black nonbinary Chicago punk to shine through in their characters. Carefully selected song suggestions placed at intervals throughout the story provide a wonderful audio element that allows readers to immerse themselves in the punk rock world; some may enjoy letting the song beat determine the reading tempo. The phenomenal art shows off the edgy and colorful tableau of the South Side Chicago punk scene, bringing reality and authenticity to the setting, and showcasing the author's experience. VERDICT Learning to stand tall and live their truths are lessons all teens need; this glimpse into a world of music and friendship will resonate with many readers searching the library for unique stories to fit them, or suit anyone who desires to express themselves, but finds the challenges of life getting in the way.-Adam Fisher

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