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debf56's review
It was just too slow and predictable. For being a kids book it was slow even for that
lucaslovesbooks8's review
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
katelynprice's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
This was a lovely ode to theatre kids and all of the "misfits" who have finally found the place where they belong. Because I'm a parent, those dynamics especially resonated with me and made me reflect on the type of parent I want to be for my daughter. I laughed. I cried. I sang. I learned. Highly recommend!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Bullying and Car accident
bickie's review against another edition
4.0
In addition to the disabled representation, the book is a fantastic, fun theater-kid romp featuring a girl who uses a wheelchair. Many theater kids will find someone to relate to in the cast, and the messages about inclusion, supporting one another, and going after your dreams are fabulous.
Provides a great mirror for other wheelchair-using readers as well as great examples of how to be an ally including asking the wheelchair user if they would like help and how to provide that help.
I appreciated the realistic misunderstandings between Nat and Chloe, her best friend from CA (the story starts with her moving to NJ not far out of NYC) and the respectful way they managed to talk it through to preserve the relationship. I also appreciated Nat's holding her own with Malik and the other new people she met; she seemed grounded and spoke her truth most of the time but not all of the time.
A few clangs to me: There is a discussion around the campfire at the retreat weekend where the Oz-Bounders are sharing "Truths" kind of like a truth-or-dare game. When Nat reflects on what Malik shares about being the only Black kid not only in the theater group but in his whole school (which, ironically, is named after Martin Luther King Jr), she thinks that "no one" thinks about not casting him in a role because of his skin color (presumably as opposed to because of being in a wheelchair). While the representation of Malik seems generally positive, I found this to be an unfortunate assumption on Nat's part, especially because she doesn't say it out loud so that he (or others) can educate her on her misperception.
Among many many references to Broadway musicals both contemporary and classic, there are some references to popular culture including a forced reference to "Harry Potter lightning." Also a Sia song. These unexamined references could make trans or autistic readers feel othered and/or like the author agrees with the author of the HP books and Sia in their ideas.
Middle schoolers are encouraged to read Gregory Maguire's book Wicked, which is long and dense and written for adults complete with some very adult situations. The musical changes the book around quite a bit to make it less disturbing and more Broadway-crowd pleasing. I hope that readers who love this book don't pick up Wicked expecting a middle-grade type of read.
Near the end, they talk about how impossible it would be to get rights to Hamilton. Of course, the rights to Wicked are, I believe, also hard to come by IRL. I think it is implied that they have the rights and that it's just one of those "suspension of disbelief" situations that Hudson talks about.
I mostly listened to this book. Ali Stroker narrates (and sings!) with inflection and timing. She slightly changes her voice for some of the characters. It could be difficult for some listeners to understand that some of the things Nat "says" are just in her head.
Provides a great mirror for other wheelchair-using readers as well as great examples of how to be an ally including asking the wheelchair user if they would like help and how to provide that help.
I appreciated the realistic misunderstandings between Nat and Chloe, her best friend from CA (the story starts with her moving to NJ not far out of NYC) and the respectful way they managed to talk it through to preserve the relationship. I also appreciated Nat's holding her own with Malik and the other new people she met; she seemed grounded and spoke her truth most of the time but not all of the time.
A few clangs to me: There is a discussion around the campfire at the retreat weekend where the Oz-Bounders are sharing "Truths" kind of like a truth-or-dare game. When Nat reflects on what Malik shares about being the only Black kid not only in the theater group but in his whole school (which, ironically, is named after Martin Luther King Jr), she thinks that "no one" thinks about not casting him in a role because of his skin color (presumably as opposed to because of being in a wheelchair). While the representation of Malik seems generally positive, I found this to be an unfortunate assumption on Nat's part, especially because she doesn't say it out loud so that he (or others) can educate her on her misperception.
Among many many references to Broadway musicals both contemporary and classic, there are some references to popular culture including a forced reference to "Harry Potter lightning." Also a Sia song. These unexamined references could make trans or autistic readers feel othered and/or like the author agrees with the author of the HP books and Sia in their ideas.
Middle schoolers are encouraged to read Gregory Maguire's book Wicked, which is long and dense and written for adults complete with some very adult situations. The musical changes the book around quite a bit to make it less disturbing and more Broadway-crowd pleasing. I hope that readers who love this book don't pick up Wicked expecting a middle-grade type of read.
Near the end, they talk about how impossible it would be to get rights to Hamilton. Of course, the rights to Wicked are, I believe, also hard to come by IRL. I think it is implied that they have the rights and that it's just one of those "suspension of disbelief" situations that Hudson talks about.
I mostly listened to this book. Ali Stroker narrates (and sings!) with inflection and timing. She slightly changes her voice for some of the characters. It could be difficult for some listeners to understand that some of the things Nat "says" are just in her head.
reidy_reads's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
gallagirlreads's review
challenging
funny
informative
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
nicolemhewitt's review against another edition
5.0
This review and many more can be found on my blog: Feed Your Fiction Addiction
An utterly empowering book for anyone with a disability, The Chance to Fly follows Nat, a young girl with a spectacular singing voice who has always wanted her chance to shine in the spotlight. The only problem? She’s in a wheelchair, and her overprotective but well-meaning parents don’t want her to get her hopes up (and then dashed in the process). She sneaks away and auditions for the musical of her dreams, and she gets a part! But there are many obstacles to overcome, and Nat sometimes questions if her parents may have been right after all.
The book is co-written by Ali Stroker and Stacy Davidowitz. Some of you might recognize the first name—Ali was recently the first person in a wheelchair to win a Tony award (and, not long before that, the first person in a wheelchair to appear on Broadway). Not surprisingly, the story is semi-autobiographical; while the actual plotline is fictional, the experiences that Nat has, the challenges she faces, and the emotions she goes through are very obviously based on Ali’s own, making the story feel very authentic. Since Stacy has also been long involved in the theatre, she understands that side of the story as well and is able to help the reader feel like they’re a part of this close-knit cast. While the story definitely focuses on ableism and Nat’s day-to-day experiences as a person in a wheelchair, those aren’t the only themes explored. Nat has just moved and is dealing with the unknowns and frustrations of leaving her best friend and starting over in a whole new town. She develops a crush on a boy in the show and wonders if he feels the same. She deals with broken friendships and rivalries. All of these are things that every kid can relate to—and it’s important to remind the “average” middle-grader that kids with disabilities have all of the same hopes, fears, dreams, and disappointments that they do. In the end, Nat’s story (and Ali’s) is utterly inspirational!
***Disclosure: I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley for review. No other compensation was given and all opinions are my own.***
An utterly empowering book for anyone with a disability, The Chance to Fly follows Nat, a young girl with a spectacular singing voice who has always wanted her chance to shine in the spotlight. The only problem? She’s in a wheelchair, and her overprotective but well-meaning parents don’t want her to get her hopes up (and then dashed in the process). She sneaks away and auditions for the musical of her dreams, and she gets a part! But there are many obstacles to overcome, and Nat sometimes questions if her parents may have been right after all.
The book is co-written by Ali Stroker and Stacy Davidowitz. Some of you might recognize the first name—Ali was recently the first person in a wheelchair to win a Tony award (and, not long before that, the first person in a wheelchair to appear on Broadway). Not surprisingly, the story is semi-autobiographical; while the actual plotline is fictional, the experiences that Nat has, the challenges she faces, and the emotions she goes through are very obviously based on Ali’s own, making the story feel very authentic. Since Stacy has also been long involved in the theatre, she understands that side of the story as well and is able to help the reader feel like they’re a part of this close-knit cast. While the story definitely focuses on ableism and Nat’s day-to-day experiences as a person in a wheelchair, those aren’t the only themes explored. Nat has just moved and is dealing with the unknowns and frustrations of leaving her best friend and starting over in a whole new town. She develops a crush on a boy in the show and wonders if he feels the same. She deals with broken friendships and rivalries. All of these are things that every kid can relate to—and it’s important to remind the “average” middle-grader that kids with disabilities have all of the same hopes, fears, dreams, and disappointments that they do. In the end, Nat’s story (and Ali’s) is utterly inspirational!
***Disclosure: I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley for review. No other compensation was given and all opinions are my own.***
roseannearchy's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
Such a sweet and hopeful book that spoke to my theater kid heart!
catherinereads05's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
whitreadslit's review
4.0
I am a huge musical theater fan, and Wicked is one of my favorite shows, so this book was right up my alley! I really loved the characters in this story. It was inspirational and sweet. The disability rep was fantastic. If you have a child in your life who loves theater or needs inspiration to chase their dreams, this book is great! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️