Harmonic Feedback

Title: Harmonic Feedback

Author: Tara Kelly

Publisher: Henry Holt

Release Date: May 25, 2010

Received From:  ATWT


Sixteen-year-old music and sound design obsessed Drea doesn't have friends. She has, as she's often reminded, issues. Drea's mom and a rotating band of psychiatrists have settled on "a touch of Asperger's."

Having just moved to the latest in a string of new towns, Drea meets two other outsiders. And Naomi and Justin seem to actually like Drea. The three of them form a trip-hop band after an impromptu jam session. Justin swiftly challenges not only Drea's preference for Poe over Black Lab but also her perceived inability to connect with another person. Justin, against all odds, may even like like Drea.

It's obvious that Drea can't hide behind her sound equipment anymore. But just when she's found not one but two true friends, can she stand to lose one of them?

I enjoyed this book, because I felt that many different people could relate to Drea, and her problems, big, and small. I can relate with having trouble making friends as can a lot of people, so it was nice to have a character I could semi-relate to. 


This book had some very harsh issues in it. Things that i think are very important, and should be discussed in YA literature, even more than they are, so I commend Tara Kelly for addressing those issues. I enjoyed all of the different types of characters that were in the novel, there were not too many people who were "stereotypical" which was nice. 


The plot moved forward pretty well, but it was kind of slow in the middle, and at times was a tiny bit confusing, but overall this book was a really good debut and I cannot wait to see Tara grow as a writer!


4/5