Adventures in Boogieland

Book excerpt: Arcadia, Wisconsin seemed to be an ordinary town for Simon X, who wanted nothing more than to be the best trumpeter ever. He and his classmates: Lulu DeBarge, the harpist, Krupa Patel, the violinist, and Max Winehouse, the saxophonist, have recently auditioned for the prestigious Bartholomew Performing Arts Academy. Shortly thereafter, a twist of fate leads the children on an adventure out of this world when they board a musical locomotive known as the Night Train. By morning, they find themselves at a destination known as Boogieland. They encounter a time-warped Trolley Car Diner with its Everlasting Jukebox, and Madame Charisma Divine, an eccentric artist with a penchant for tuxedos, who guides them through Boogieland, teaching them the miraculous wonders of her ways. Beleaguered by the Shadows, the nefarious authority figures of Boogieland, the children ultimately discover the miserable secrets haunting the Heartbreak Hotel. Yet the children find an ally in the King of Pop, whose whimsical soda pop factory appeals to their imaginative sensibilities with its countless amusement attractions complete with scientific inventions, androids and more. A casual stroll through Paisley Park sends purple rain and an untimely appearance from the iconic girl, who chased a white rabbit down a hole. Will the children’s adventure become a Boogie Wonderland? Enter His Purple Majesty, a master musician, who teaches the children an invaluable music lesson, which prepares them for their greatest recital. Can Simon, Lulu, Krupa and Max overcome the Shadows, and simply learn to unleash the music within?