• Age: 9 to 12
• Grade: 4 to 7
• Reading age: 9 to 12

Elle has come to Nashville to become a star.

She has what it takes, but her agent and all the label executives want to change everything about her—her hair, her body, her clothes and, most important, her music. So Elle becomes a blond, sings about cookin' for her man and wears tiny shorts and revealing tank tops. Then a chance meeting with an established female songwriter makes Elle realize that she's paying too high a price for success. Billboard Express continues the story that began in Rock the Boat by Sigmund Brouwer.

This short novel is a high-interest, low-reading level book for middle-grade readers who are building reading skills, want a quick read or say they don’t like to read!

With close to three million books in print, Sigmund Brouwer writes for both children and adults. In the last ten years, he has given writing workshops to students in schools from the Arctic Circle to inner city Los Angeles. One of his latest novels, The Last Disciple, earned Sigmund an appearance on ABC's Good Morning America. Sigmund and his family live half the year in Nashville, Tennessee, and half the year in Red Deer, Alberta.

The Talk:
Reach For Your Dreams
It doesn't matter where you come from, it's where you decide to go in life that is important. Sigmund Brouwer encourages students to reach for their dreams, giving them fun and practical advice for the reading and writing skills that are the foundation of future success.

The Presentation:
Sigmund's presentations are an hour of high-level energy. He especially reaches out to reluctant readers and gears the talk to engage their attention. Audience size varies; often his presentations take place in the gym for the entire school, including kindergarten. (After the first half hour, the K-2 grades are dismissed, and the remainder of the presentation is focused on the older students.) There are no restrictions on audience size except for the space limitations of the gym. Smaller schools are welcome to invite another school to share in the cost of the presentation.

Booking:
For presentations that involve travel, Sigmund appreciates it if two or three schools in the area make bookings on the same day. For more information on booking, fees and expenses, please email Sigmund: rockandrollliteracy@me.com

Sigmund Brouwer's profile page

Cindy Morgan is an award-winning singer-songwriter based in Nashville, Tennessee, where she lives with her husband, Sigmund Brouwer, and their two daughters. Cindy's latest album, Bows and Arrows, and her memoir, How Could I Ask for More, were both released in 2015. For more information, visit www.cindymorganmusic.com.

Cindy Morgan's profile page

"Readers who enjoyed Rock the Boat will be happy to return to Brouwer's Nashville and go through a different journey with Elle...Recommended for reluctant readers and young adolescents."

CM: Canadian Review of Materials

"This is a feel-good glimpse into the life of a rising star. If you are looking for titles with strong female protagonists that are high-interest/low vocabulary, this title is exactly what you are looking for."

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