The Band: Trading Guys

By Debra Garfinkle

An edgy new teen series that comes with a free song download! The friends in the band Sweet Marguerite always back each other up-onstage and off - until an impulsive game threatens to tear them apart. Tracie can't think straight. The sexiest guy she knows is flirting with her - and he's hot enough to make her forget everything that matters...including her boyfriend. Mark can't believe his luck. He has a great band and a beautiful girlfriend. So why can't he keep his mind off of the exotic new lead singer, Lily? Sienna is psyched. She's worked hard for the band's success and she loves her boyfriend Mark. Life would be perfect - if Lily would just go away. Tracie, Mark, and Sienna are partying at the beach, celebrating their big break and dreaming of stardom, until the moment one simple question changes everything... Just for fun, why don't we trade boyfriends and girlfriends?

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 042521513X
• ISBN13: 9780425215135
• Release Date: May 2007
• Publisher: Berkley Jam
• Length: 246 Pages
• Weight: 0.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 7.2" x 0.7" x 5.0"
• Age Range: 18 to 17 years
• Grade Range: Grade 12

Customer Reviews

The Band plays a great gig!

D.L. Garfinkle's series "The Band" opens with a bang! The writing is superb and I really connected with the characters and the pain and excitement that comes with being a member of Amber Road. Garfinkle's writing is so strong, that I felt so much emotion while reading this book! (May contain spoilers) Meet Mark, Sienna, Lilly, George and Tracie, the members of the band Amber Road. Mark is the band leader and keyboard player who is dating bass player Sienna but after he makes long flamed haired Lilly lead singer, he falls in love with her. Tracie is the guitar player who is dating good guy and captian of the debate team Carter. But after three years, Tracie grows restless and goes for Lilly's brother Aaron, despite Sienna's warnings that Aaron is a player. One night after a hot audition at the club Waves, the band goes to the beach where Lilly shakes things up by suggesting a "boyfriend/girlfriend swap". All hell breaks loose when Lilly pairs herself with Sienna's Mark, Tracie blurts out her fantasy of hooking up with Aaron, and Sienna ends up with Tracie's Carter, (different girl for everyday of the week George, stays happily out of the game.) Eventually, Mark and Sienna break up because of Mark's love for Lilly, Tracie breaks Carter's heart by losing her virginity to Aaron and George keeps going through chicks. The band also learns a very important lesson in friendship after Tracie runs into the ocean, attempting sucide. I really enjoyed this book and I really recommend it. I couldn't put it down and I was really sad when it was over. I can't wait to read the next two books in the series! Anyone who likes drama and music will love this book! Taylor Hodgkins, 7/13/08

Courtesy of Teens Read Too

Meet the newest garage band that just might make it big: Amber Road. And, like most bands, Amber Road is just full of drama. Sienna is happy with how wonderful the band is coming along, and like her boyfriend, all her dedication and passion goes toward Amber Road. But there are two things that are confusing Sienna. First is why did her boyfriend, Mark, choose the new girl, Lily, to be the lead singer, and second, why is he flirting so much with her? Tracie has always been the good girl with the popular and very loyal boyfriend. But she then starts to question her relationship with Carter when she meets Aaron, Lily's twin brother who is pretty hot. Tracie is thinking that change wouldn't be so bad. Mark, the creator and main person of the band, just loves how the band is going places. Other than that he is just glad to have a supportive girlfriend that understands his love and commitment toward the band. But being around Lily makes it hard for Mark to pay any attention to Sienna, but nothing will happen since he loves Sienna more...right? Then there is George, who everyone likes, and who loves his girlfriend and tries his best to take all the tension away and just wants everyone to be happy. Unfortunately, everything will change when a little game of swapping boyfriends and girlfriends is played. Not only will relationships be tested, but friendships will be scarred and nothing will be the same again. This could just possibly ruin the band. Debra Garfinkle takes us inside a band that is hot, cool, and totally full of drama. THE BAND: TRADING GUYS gives us a closer look at what bands go through. A new plot for a growing genre, this is one series that you do not want to miss out on. Reviewed by: Randstostipher "tallnlankyrn" Nguyen

Gossip girls meet the rock scene

The friends in Amber Road always back each other up-onstage and off. But just as the band is about to make it big, an impulsive game threatens to tear them apart. This is a fun beach read sure to appeal to those who enjoyed such tales as THE GOSSIP GIRLS and Melissa De La Cruz's series. Debra Garfinkle does a great job with each of the band characters and the reader can't help but want to follow them. No matter where they go. I can't wait for the other books.