What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedIf Rock and Roll Were a Machine
Terry Davis · Book · 2015
If you loved If Rock and Roll Were a Machine, start with Eighth Grade (Bo Burnham, 2018) — a film on the same thread. Below: 4 films, 4 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to If Rock and Roll Were a Machine across media.
If you loved If Rock and Roll Were a Machine, you likely crave stories where fragile self-esteem meets the brutal social hierarchies of youth.
Films on the same thread
Eighth Grade
Bo Burnham · Film · 2018
Shares a thread with If Rock and Roll Were a Machine: Coming-of-age.
Like the protagonist of If Rock and Roll Were a Machine, Kayla navigates the suffocating pressure to be someone great while battling the internal ache of deep-seated social awkwardness.
The Iron Giant
Brad Bird · Film · 1999
Explores: Anti-War, Redemption, Innocence vs. Paranoia.
Just as the teacher's criticism defines the journey in If Rock and Roll Were a Machine, this film explores how external prejudices shape the identity of a misunderstood, vulnerable outsider.
Like Stars on Earth
Aamir Khan · Film · 2007
Shares a thread with If Rock and Roll Were a Machine: Coming-of-age.
Much like the struggle for confidence in If Rock and Roll Were a Machine, this story captures the emotional toll that adult criticism takes on a sensitive, developing young mind.
Almost Famous
Cameron Crowe · Film · 2000
Explores: Music Journalism, Band on Tour, Loss of Innocence.
If you were moved by the self-discovery in If Rock and Roll Were a Machine, you will appreciate William's search for belonging through the lens of music and personal growth.
Series on the same thread
BOCCHI THE ROCK!
Series · 2022
Shares a thread with If Rock and Roll Were a Machine: Overcoming Obstacles.
Hitori's journey in this series mirrors the social isolation found in If Rock and Roll Were a Machine, showing how music acts as a vessel for overcoming crippling personal anxiety.
The O.C.
Josh Schwartz · Series · 2003
Shares a thread with If Rock and Roll Were a Machine: Identity.
Ryan's attempt to redefine his identity after moving into a new environment resonates with the core theme of self-reinvention that drives the narrative of If Rock and Roll Were a Machine.
13 Reasons Why
Brian Yorkey · Series · 2017
Shares a thread with If Rock and Roll Were a Machine: Bullying.
This series delves into the dark consequences of bullying and social isolation, themes that serve as the primary catalyst for the character arc in If Rock and Roll Were a Machine.
Freaks and Geeks
Paul Feig · Series · 1999
Explores: Social Outcasts, High School Angst, Identity Crisis.
The characters here face the same identity crises and social alienation that Bert Bowden experiences in If Rock and Roll Were a Machine as they navigate the rigid structures of school.
Podcasts on the same thread
A New Untold Story
Podcast
Explores: Small-town life, Overcoming adversity, Single motherhood.
This podcast echoes the resilient spirit of If Rock and Roll Were a Machine, focusing on a young person overcoming early adversity to find their own path toward personal strength.
Chasing The Sun - Season 1 [Audioserye]
Podcast
Explores: struggling student, poverty, abuse.
Solene’s struggle against the weight of her circumstances mirrors the internal battle for self-worth that defines the protagonist's experience in the pages of If Rock and Roll Were a Machine.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is If Rock and Roll Were a Machine a standalone novel?
Yes, If Rock and Roll Were a Machine is a standalone book written by Terry Davis. It follows the story of Bert Bowden as he works to regain his self-esteem and confidence after experiencing criticism from an elementary school teacher.
What is the central conflict in If Rock and Roll Were a Machine?
The central conflict in If Rock and Roll Were a Machine involves the protagonist, Bert Bowden, struggling with his self-image. After a teacher's criticism causes him to become awkward and self-conscious, he attempts to overcome these feelings to regain his former confidence and become someone great.
Who is the author of If Rock and Roll Were a Machine?
The author of If Rock and Roll Were a Machine is Terry Davis. Davis is a New York Times bestselling author whose work on this specific story received a starred review from Booklist for its powerful portrayal of a teenager's journey toward self-esteem.
When was If Rock and Roll Were a Machine published?
If Rock and Roll Were a Machine was published in 2015. This critically acclaimed book explores the emotional development of a teenager named Bert Bowden as he navigates the impact of negative feedback on his personal sense of worth.