Common Sense Media Review
By Carrie Kingsley
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Kind, honest friendship tale shows girl's inner strength.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 6+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
As ROCK STAR: JADA JONES begins, Jada's best friend moves across the country and she doesn't think she'll ever cheer up, have fun at school, or find another friend who truly shares her love of rocks. Things start to get better when she's paired up with Lena and Simone for a school project, but something is wrong with Simone: She's always upset when Jada's around. Jada hopes she can figure out what's going on and make new friends -- and maybe even help them see how cool rocks really are.
Is It Any Good?
Friendship is the central theme in this kind, upbeat story that sets a great example for open, honest, vulnerable, strong, and forgiving all at once. In Rock Star: Jada Jones, young Jada is missing her friends and lets herself be sad, and her parents let her work through it. The moments with her possible new friends show real strength: Jada is unabashedly her rock-loving self, but risks being hurt by reaching out to new friends. She models great strength with her honesty toward Simone, and there are some lovely lessons about thoughtful ways to react to other people's behavior.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the risks Jada Jones: Rock Star takes by sharing her love of rocks with Lena and Simone. How do you feel when you talk about something other people might not enjoy? How do you react when other people do talk about their hobbies?
What are some of the more memorable rocks you've found? Where have you found them?
What other books about friendships have you enjoyed? What have you learned from them?
Book Details
- Author :
- Illustrator : Vanessa Brantley-Newton
- Genre : For Beginning Readers
- Topics : STEM , Friendship
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Penguin Workshop
- Publication date : September 19, 2017
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 6 - 8
- Number of pages : 96
- Available on : Paperback, Audiobook (unabridged), Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : September 29, 2025
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