Singing a Different Tune

Becca Wiley likes to think of herself as a geode—a rock that’s dull gray on the outside but full of dazzling purple crystals on the inside. She isn’t sure what makes her sparkle yet, but that’s OK. In middle school, it’s usually best just to fit in. Too bad her sister doesn’t understand that! Mandy has Down syndrome and is an attention magnet. And whenever they’re out in public together, Becca can’t stand the stares and whispers swirling around them. To sort out her feelings about Mandy, Becca starts a journal. But soon she has more exciting things to write about. Like Russ, the shy boy who shares her love of science fiction. And Jill, her wisecracking BFF who’s obsessed with saving the planet. And especially Crystal, the intriguing new girl who asks Becca to join her band and try out for the Top Teen Talent TV show. Hoping for some positive attention for a change, Becca says yes. At first, Becca is thrilled when the cool older band members rave about her keyboard playing and invite her to hang out with them. But the more time she spends with her new friends, the less time she has for everyone else. That includes Jill, who seems weirdly annoyed at her, and Mandy, who urgently needs help handling some mean girls. Worse, Becca begins to worry that Crystal could be a really bad influence on her. Not that Becca would ever give in to peer pressure. Right?About the Susan Skallerup is a longtime editor and lifelong bookworm. Singing a Different Tune is her first published book for younger readers. She is also the editor of the parents' guide Babies with Down Syndrome, third edition. She and her husband have two daughters and live in Maryland.