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Publication Date: September 23, 2008 Publisher: Disney Press Author: · Kitty Richards (Adapter) Related Sites: · Official Site - Hannah Montana · SirLinksalot: Hannah Montana Grade: B

On the Road is volume number fourteen in the junior novel series based on the hit Disney Channel show Hannah Montana, starring Miley Cyrus as the titular pop star who -- minus the flashy costumes and blonde wig -- attempts to have a normal life as unobtrusive student Miley Stewart. The book adapts two episodes from the show's second season, with plots involving obstacles keeping Miley from traveling to perform as Hannah Montana.

Part One is based on the episode, "Get Down Study-udy-udy" (Written by Andrew Green). Miley is stoked about Hannah Montana's first concert performances in Europe, until a letter from her school informs her father that she's failing one of her classes. The tour will be cancelled, however, unless Miley can put the (grade) "B" in Biology.

Her friends Lilly and Oliver convince Miley to reluctantly ask the weaselly Rico to tutor her. In exchange he uses her as an elaborately dressed prop while he paints. Then he reveals that his success in school is based on photographic memory, which isn't of much help to Miley.

Meanwhile, Jackson gets stuck babysitting Thor's pet parrot when the landlord "evicts" Old Snowball.  This doesn't go too well when Jackson invites pretty Becky over for a little one-on-one Spanish instruction, and Snowball lobs one rude comment after another until it's adios for his would-be paramour.

Later that evening, when Miley is trying to study amid Snowball duetting with Robby on guitar, she has a revelation that just might help her retain some Biology knowledge. She has no problem remembering dance moves, so she crafts a special version of "Nobody's Perfect" featuring the bones in the human body. She demonstrates her song and dance routine to her friends the next morning. "We're going to England. We're going to France," sang Lilly.

Planning to return Snowball to Thor, Jackson brings the parrot to school, and its backtalk gets Jackson detention. Out of frustration, Jackson says angrily, "Why don't you just drop dead?" And just like that, Snowball whimpered and toppled off his perch, deader than a doornail.  Now, Jackson will have to tell that loveable lug that he killed his pet. He couldn't imagine any scenario that wouldn't end with the Minnesotan from Mooville freaking out.

During the midterm exam, Miley tries to sing and dance the answers in her head, but can't quite do so without a little moving around. Ms. Kunkle thinks this is some sort of signal for cheating, and Miley might have to put on a full-blown performance right then and there if she ever hopes to pass the test. 

Further adventures of the singing sensation "on the road" include the new Hannah Montana on Tour all-new, original fiction series, starting with #1, Ciao from Rome...

...and continuing with volume two, G'day, Sydney!

Part Two is based on "I Want You To Want Me... To Go To Florida" (Written by Michael Poryes), an episode included on the Life's What You Make It DVD. Mikayla is an emerging teen pop star and guest on a TV talk show with Hannah Montana. It appears to be a Mutual Admiration Society with the two singers lavishing compliments on each other. The host is dazzled.

---

     "Adorable." You're not going to want to miss these two sharing the stage next week at the United People's Relief Charity concert in Florida. We'll be right back," He paused, took off his glasses, and addressed the camera. "I'm Collin Lasseter, and this is The Real Deal."
     "And we're out," said the stage manager. It was time for commercials.
     Collin immediately stood up. "Speaking of relief, I've got the bladder of a kitten." He laughed embarrassedly and made a beeline for the bathroom.
     Smiling, Miley turned to Mikayla, who was playing with the magenta ends of her long, dark hair. "It's truly great to finally meet you," Miley said sincerely. She put her hand to her chest. "I really am a huge fan," she confessed.
     Mikayla smiled pleasantly, and then said, quite unexpectedly, "Yeah, I hate you."
     "Thanks, I feel the exact same way," said Miley. Suddenly Mikayla's words sank in. Miley looked puzzled. Had she heard the girl correctly? "What?"
     Mikayla stood up and began to list the reasons she was not Hannah Montana's greatest fan. "Your voice is stenchy, your music is stupid, and your outfits make me want to puke on them -- but it looks like someone already did." She crossed the room to pick up a bottle of water. Miley followed her, determined to be gracious. "Okay," she said. "I don't know what your problem is, but --"
     Mikayla wouldn't let her finish. "My problem is, I'm ten times better than you and you're going to find that out in Florida, Miss Hannah-I'm-Takin'-All-Your-Fannahs," she said, shaking her finger in Miley's face and doing the head-bob thing.

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Hannah's manager, Miley's father Robby Ray, squabbles with Mikayla's manager and it's easy to see from where the youngster got her obnoxious behavior. It's just as obvious that Hannah Montana will have to show the little upstart what it means to be pop princess by turning in an extra sensational performance.

But those plans are in jeopardy when Mr. Stewart is launched over the deck rail by Jackson's new exercise machine and injures his back. Roxy DeLizes, bodyguard and former U.S. Marine, is on the case, but her treatment methods prove equally painful and ineffective.

It's beginning to look like Robby won't be able to fly to Florida, so Miley suggests that Roxy accompany her. Robby is insistent that he goes, or nobody goes. "Besides, let's face it, if I'm not there with you, Mikayla's manager's gonna steamroll right over you." Miley and her father get in a huge fight over her being ready to handle arrangements like this on her own, and Miley stormed off with words she will later regret.

A "concerned" Mikayla calls up Miley upon hearing the news of her cancellation and rubs in the promise to steal all her fans. Miley assures the smug little songstress that Hannah Montana will be there. Miley tricks Roxy into chaperoning and leaves a note for Robby that she will be on a plane by the time he reads it, and will deal with the consequences when she returns.

Aboard the plane, Miley soon discovers the reason for its delay in take-off when Robby and Jackson appear. She is totally busted but, though Mr. Stewart is disappointed, he also faces the reality of a daughter growing up and ready to take on the responsibilities he held so tightly in his grasp.

On the Road is adapted by Kitty Richards, a Young Adult author of fare from Disney Princess: The Enchanted Castle Pop-Up to the movie adaptation Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over. Both of the stories adapted here have certain visual and aural elements that are somewhat lost in the translation to the page.  The usurping of "Nobody's Perfect" into the "bone dance song" and the father/daughter flashbacks during Robby's impromptu performance of "Ready, Set, Don't Go" on the plane would certainly have greater impact watched rather than read.

Included in the center of the book is an 8-page color section featuring stills from the adapted episodes.  The reading level is geared for ages 9-12, and there's an four-page preview of the next installment in the series, #15: Game of Hearts.

125 pages