Citation: Ryan, T. (2013). Totally unrelated. Orca Book Publishers.
Neil feels overlooked in his family band. It's bad enough he doesn't feel connected to their music or their style, standing in stark opposition to the others. So, when he gets the chance to join a band with his friend Bert and play music he actually enjoys, Neil jumps at the chance. Torn between commitments to both his friends and family, it's up to the teen to decide who he'd rather share the stage with.
Totally Unrelated follows a familiar story of a teen living in the shadows of the achievements of other family members and finally stepping out of darkness and into their own light. It’s almost like a Canadian, non-magical Encanto (Howard & Bush, 2021). That being said, youth as young as twelve can easily get lost in the story, its characters, and setting and find joy in the way author Tom Ryan weaves the narrative into a unique adventure.
Totally Unrelated is familiar but fun, easy to follow, and ends on a sweet, positive note.