I really like that they mention Olivia DAD in the book. ( )

I actually read this book prior to its Disney Channel Original Movie adaption. To be honest, I don't think the movie is really anything like the book aside from the main premise. I'm not really one of those people who can't enjoy an adapted movie if it's not like the book so I didn't mind the changes in the movie. The book is really good and if you're considering reading it after watching, please do. Just be cautioned that it is very different from the film. ( )

I don't normally watch a movie before I read the book, I have always been a read the book first kind of girl, but I did actually see Lemonade Mouth before I read it. Comparing this book to the movie, I was impressed by how similar it actually was. There are differences of course as there always are, but the important stuff I felt remained the same and the stuff that was changed or left out, I understood since the movie was made for Disney Channel.

The actual story/book: I loved the story of this book, a group of kids who are somewhat misfits find each other and end up great friends. I love seeing how they handle the challenges the each face both alone and together with friends. It's truly a story of personal growth (for each member of the band) as well as a story of realizing that you don't have to, nor should you do everything alone. Everyone needs friends. And finally, it's a story about how even kids can make a difference if they stick to what they believe in and do what they feel is right. I'm looking forward to the sequel. ( )

I'm crazy about this book. Doesn't seem to matter at what age I read it, it's always great.
My full review is here, on Hot Stuff for Cool People. ( )

Reviewed on Her Fiction Fix:

4/5 stars

This is the story of how the band, Lemonade Mouth, came to be. Stella, Wen, Mo, Charlie, and Olivia met one fateful day in detention. They discovered their mutual love for music and slowly, the idea of starting a band formulated, thus turning them into a sensation. Even still, nothing ever comes easy. Individually, they weren't popular; every other student like them who took part in activities and clubs that weren't considered "popular" got demoted to the high school's basement. They're labelled as the freaks of the school, and it's up to Lemonade Mouth to use their newfound popularity to change things.

The characters that made up Lemonade Mouth were so odd and easily classified as misfits. There's a freakishly tall green-haired girl and a guy who's really insecure and hears the voice of his dead twin brother in his head, to name a few. But when they were together, it was magic. It was interesting to read how they formed, as it wasn't a sudden thing where all five kids completely went for it. It took time, and it was realistic. After all, they weren't really friends; they only really got together through detention, and they barely knew each other beforehand. They each had their own stories and struggles, which were touched upon equally and made their story as a band more believable. Hughes never gave one character more importance over another.

The core of the book is about five strangers who never really fit in anywhere, coming together and making something out of nothing. They became influences to their fellow classmates, and even though their journey wasn't an easy one, they never gave up. They were able to cope with the insanity known as high school through their growing friendship, all the while, touching the lives of their fellow classmates with their music and their message.

The overall concept isn't original by any means, but the way the author wrote it really puts it in a class of its own. The book was offbeat and funny; definitely had its own unique brand of humour, which I found totally refreshing. It's original in the sense that when you think of a high school band-- or any band, your mind immediately goes to a guitarist, singer, bassist, and a drummer. Lemonade Mouth throws all conventions out the window. Here, you have stuff like a ukulele, trumpet, bongos, and congas. In other words, this book is not full of your typical high school characterizations.

I picked up the book because I watched the Disney Channel movie that was adapted from it. I loved the movie, I'm not even going to lie. Even bought the soundtrack and everything. I'm such a sucker for feel-good teenybopper DCOMs. So sue me. I was curious to see how the book compared to the film; what they left out and kept in, what they changed, etc. I was surprised at how different a lot of things were in the book, but I enjoyed it more than I thought I would. It's a fun and interesting read, filled with quirky characters that I'm sure all of us can relate to, one way or another. The book is definitely more mature than the movie if you've ever seen it; I'd say it's appropriate enough for teens 14 and over. There is, however, now an age-appropriate edition for middle-grade readers as a movie tie-in, with content slightly adapted by the author. Just look for the blue dot on the cover! ( )