I tell young people to reach for the stars. And I can't think of a greater high than you could possibly get than by inventing something." The central thesis of this book is that this period was a golden age for pure pop (slippery as that term is) before many of its platforms like TOTP collapsed, competition shows obliterated the landscape, and social media drove expectations of performative authenticity. But I have my doubts—for a lot of reasons, but I’ll limit myself to two. Firstly, the current Y2K pop boom is a classic example of how nostalgia warps our perspective. Between the Spice Girls and Girls Aloud, quite a bit of this music doesn’t hold up. Secondly, Cragg understandably wanted to limit the scope of this book to the UK but in doing so he’s made 2006 look like the end of the line. The UK is no longer at the forefront of innovation in pop and that is regrettable but not because we were left without stuff to listen to. You simply cannot mourn 2006 as the death of big silly pop artifice when Katy Perry and Lady Gaga were just around the corner. We think of pop in eras because it’s neat and to a point it can be done but in reality it is a continuum. The market was becoming increasingly globalised, and we were not able to compete at that level. I was very much buying pop music through a lot of this era, so it was fascinating to read the story behind the music, as told by (most of) the people who were there. The majority of this book takes the form of quotes from the people involved - with comments and context from the author inserted where necessary. Michael Cragg is a music writer, who works (or has worked) for a lot of major UK publications - so if he hasn't interviewed the people specifically for this book, he has interviews that he's done with them in the past that he can draw on. So you have four of the five Spice Girls (you can guess which one isn't in this) and members from pretty much every band that is mentioned. As a young person at the time that a lot of this was happening, I found it really interesting to read about what was going on behind the scenes and the press coverage and see how that affected my perception of the various bands and band members involved. And of course the other thing that's really fascinating is how the spotlight of fame affected the people in the bands. Many of them were very young when they joined the bands - and you get to see an array of different ways that fame - or being in a band can mess your life up. But in the early stages of this period, a lot of it was going on behind closed doors - as the book hurtles towards the mid 00s, you see the arrival of TV talent shows and people learning how to be in a band whilst on camera and making their mistakes in public. Broadly chronological, the book spans ten years. It begins with the Spice Girls in 1996, ending in 2006 with the demise of three major media sources for pop music - Smash Hits magazine, Top of the Pops magazine, CD:UK on TV. 2006 marked the end of an era for myself also, as this is when I stopped following the charts, having become disenchanted with the manufactured sounds of pop music and taking an interest in music I considered more authentic and complex. I wasn't so familiar with the music discussed towards the end of the book, particularly the acts resulting from TV talent shows, which I've never watched. Most of the featured acts I remembered very well, however. I liked the chapter on Girls Aloud because of their strong personalities, even though I was never a fan of the music. I especially enjoyed the chapters about 5ive and S Club 7, my two favourites. Sadly, Paul Cattermole of S Club 7 died a week after the publication of this book.

I am so happy to have had the opportunity to review an advanced listening copy of the REACH FOR THE STARS audiobook. We are big fans of Emily Calandrelli in our house! Our cute printable bookmarks make a great little gift that can be given to your pupils to recognise all the hard work they put into their reading exercises! And you can include a little message to your students on the editable version of these bookmarks to inspire your students to carry on reading, both in and out of school.You'll reach for your boogie board and catch a wave or two. I'll teach you how the lunar pull made those tides for you." From Emmy-nominated science TV star and host of Netflix’s hit series Emily’s Wonder Lab Emily Calandrelli comes an inspirational message of love and positivity.

A lot of it, like the music itself, seems throwaway, the stuff of gossip. We learn, for example, that even in the early stages of the Spice Girls, Victoria Adams was far more interested in shopping for clothes than she was in recording vocals. “She just wasn’t there,” co-member Geri Halliwell says of the Wannabe studio sessions. “Bless her.” It’s revealed that Russell Brand once auditioned for the boy band 5ive, but has denied it ever sinceEach bookmark features a cute design that we hope will help to inspire your children and encourage them to read even more often! Our cute printable bookmarks are also editable, allowing you to make them even more personal for your students by adding their name or a little dedication.

More than that though, it dug right into some really thoughtful aspects when it comes to the treatment of pop; the inherent sexism and homophobia that is attached to the critical snobbery when it comes to music genres that predominantly appeal to women and gay men. Mark Beaumont (writer for Melody Maker and NME) It was the first show of strength of the internet because the Brits were the establishment stronghold and here was Belle and Sebastian using the weight of their fanbase to break the stranglehold of pop. I think it was the first high-profile example of the internet being used to shift culture.The way that the book is written is so sharp and insightful, it was such an easy read that I literally couldn't put it down. I read the whole thing in few days. This is a sweet little children's book about relationships, growing up, and the importance of learning, exploring, and reaching for more. Here are some of my favorite quotes: Chris Herbert It burned them out. In hindsight, I would never do that again. We took on too much too soon. Kidadl cannot accept liability for the execution of these ideas, and parental supervision is advised at all times, as safety is paramount. Anyone using the information provided by Kidadl does so at their own risk and we can not accept liability if things go wrong. Sponsorship & Advertising Policy

At Kidadl we pride ourselves on offering families original ideas to make the most of time spent together at home or out and about, wherever you are in the world. We strive to recommend the very best things that are suggested by our community and are things we would do ourselves - our aim is to be the trusted friend to parents. The definition of a “golden age” is elastic and is usually defined by whatever was going on when you were between the ages of 12 and 22. I promise you there is just as much amazing pop music being made right now. You just might not be able to truly perceive it, because your fully developed prefrontal cortex is in the way. Dreams are like stars. You may never touch them, but if you follow them they will lead you to your destiny." It shifted abit but then, obviously, The XFactor came along,” he continues. ​ “And that machine was so big and so powerful that you then did have to sort of take what was going on. It was areal rollercoaster, as they say, of people not being able to say what they wanted. Or if you did, you were branded abitch, or difficult, or rude.”This book tells the story of one of music's best, and least appreciated, periods through the voices of the people who were there. The author speaks to everyone imaginable in British pop in the noughties and let's them tell their own side of events we all think we know. Kidadl is independent and to make our service free to you the reader we are supported by advertising. Want a disclosure about quotes as inspiration? This quote-list is everything that you all need in your life to feel motivated. When you're sad, you reach for me. I'll hold you close and tight. I'll teach you how to sing a song about the stars at night." The more you reach, the more you learn. There's so much here to see. The world has wonders waiting for your curiosity."