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Reviewed by Georgia Tisdall, Teacher, Otatara School, Southland
Opening sentence
Ready, Velvets?
In 'The Case of the Viral Video', Violet and the Velvets are practicing hard for the music video shoot and recording session they won in their last adventure. However, the pressure of perfection starts weighing heavily on Violet, making it difficult for her to talk to her bandmates about their mistakes. The real conflict begins when the music studio tries to completely change the band's sound and style to fit a manufactured narrative. Adding to the drama, the studio relies on AI to create music—a shortcut the band strongly considers cheating. Caught between industry expectations and her own integrity, Violet must find the courage to stand her ground.

This story is a great read for young audiences, serving up valuable lessons on believing in yourself, honouring your hard work, and standing up to pressure without losing sight of friendship and fun. It is an inspiring story about staying true to who you are.
Author & Illustrator: Phoebe Morris (illustrator)
Publisher: Allen & Unwin
ISBN: 9781991142757
Format: Paperback
Publication: June 2026
Ages: 10 - 14 years
Themes: Music, peer pressure, resilience, friendship