Another graphic novel, this one set in middle school, that I read because my kid brought it home. It’s about drama, both literally and figuratively. The main character, Callie, loves theater. Her school is putting on a musical production, and she can’t sing, so she works backstage. More than anything, I like how this book gave me an appreciation of all the hard work that takes place behind the scenes to put on a play! Callie works side by side with the costume director, lights and sound crew, herself taking charge of building the set. In particular, she wants to make a cannon that looks like it really fires (confetti), coordinating sound and lights to make an impressive moment. Of course it kinda goes wrong at the last minute… Meanwhile, there’s the usual high school story of friendships, good and bad moments, dating mixups (constantly switching around who’s interested in whom!) and there’s two new boys (twins) everyone’s getting to know. They’re both into theater but one is very shy. Later in the story it’s revealed that one of the characters is gay. Not a big deal- I like how the story made this so normal, once a friend found out (then respected their privacy and didn’t tell others). There’s other little snippets that make this so true to life: annoying kid brothers, parents who make wrong assumptions about friends, trying out for sports that aren’t quite your fit. . . My favorite part, though? When Callie goes with friends to an amazing bookstore. That was just so perfect.
Borrowed from the public library.
