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hedleyreads's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
esmemazzeo's review
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
catherinefenquist's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
fast-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? It's complicated
4.0
kimiloughlin's review
5.0
MY HEART EXPLODED WHILE READING THIS BOOK! It was an absolute DELIGHT and also so, so important. Nat just moved cross country from San Francisco to New Jersey. She's a HUGE theater fan but has never been in a show. The thing is, Nat happens to be in a wheelchair and her very caring parents have kept her in activities that are perfectly suited for wheelchair users (ie racing) so as to avoid any heartbreak. But then while meeting a potential new racing team, Nat spies a flier for an upcoming youth production of Wicked and she knows she just HAS to audition, no matter her parent's wishes. She meets new friends and discovers where she is meant to be.
As a theater superfan, my heart absolutely melted with the sheer theater-ness of this book. All the chapters have titles of musical theater songs and the kids literally joke and use theater songs as metaphors (literally, me). Nat even talked about how she knew the entire Wicked soundtrack back to front without even seeing it on Broadway which is EXACTLY how I consumed it. And then there is even discussion of Miscast which is the gala run by MCC Theater where I used to work (though they are not properly credited in the book!). I love that Nat found her people and her place amongst the theater kids. I was never a performer so missed bonding with that crowd until I was older but honestly, theater kids are the same no matter what age they are!
Besides the theater-ness, this book was so important because it features a girl living with a disability without centering her disability. Ali Stroker, one of the co-authors, is a Tony Award winning actress and also a trailblazer as the first person to star on Broadway while using a wheelchair. Together, she and Stacy Davidowitz touch upon all the ways the world does not support people who use wheelchairs, especially in the theater world.
There were a few things in this book that you have to suspend your disbelief over (in the vein as theater itself as discussed between Hudson and Nat). For instance, no one can gets the rights to Wicked right now and definitely not a youth production. Also, can you imagine a youth production of Wicked???! It is also a bit crazy that the whole production worked out in the end. Though they touched on all the different roles that go into making a production happen, the fact that the 18 kids that are in the production already were able to do it while still being in the show was insane. And the cost of any theatrical space is way more than they are letting on.
Any complaints aside, I adored this book and will be recommending it to everybody but especially every theater fan (adult and child, I already excitedly texted many of my theater colleagues). It is so important to read diverse books, especially from authors living with disabilities.
As a theater superfan, my heart absolutely melted with the sheer theater-ness of this book. All the chapters have titles of musical theater songs and the kids literally joke and use theater songs as metaphors (literally, me). Nat even talked about how she knew the entire Wicked soundtrack back to front without even seeing it on Broadway which is EXACTLY how I consumed it. And then there is even discussion of Miscast which is the gala run by MCC Theater where I used to work (though they are not properly credited in the book!). I love that Nat found her people and her place amongst the theater kids. I was never a performer so missed bonding with that crowd until I was older but honestly, theater kids are the same no matter what age they are!
Besides the theater-ness, this book was so important because it features a girl living with a disability without centering her disability. Ali Stroker, one of the co-authors, is a Tony Award winning actress and also a trailblazer as the first person to star on Broadway while using a wheelchair. Together, she and Stacy Davidowitz touch upon all the ways the world does not support people who use wheelchairs, especially in the theater world.
There were a few things in this book that you have to suspend your disbelief over (in the vein as theater itself as discussed between Hudson and Nat). For instance, no one can gets the rights to Wicked right now and definitely not a youth production. Also, can you imagine a youth production of Wicked???! It is also a bit crazy that the whole production worked out in the end. Though they touched on all the different roles that go into making a production happen, the fact that the 18 kids that are in the production already were able to do it while still being in the show was insane. And the cost of any theatrical space is way more than they are letting on.
Any complaints aside, I adored this book and will be recommending it to everybody but especially every theater fan (adult and child, I already excitedly texted many of my theater colleagues). It is so important to read diverse books, especially from authors living with disabilities.
fyziksgirl's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Phenomenal book about a tween dealing with a move, striving for independence, and diving into her first theater experience. This is an own-voices book about a disabled character who uses a wheelchair; we strive to include a lot of diverse characters in our reading from own-voices authors, and this one is definitely a great addition to our shelves. Any musical theater kid would love it, and the audio book is especially great since the author narrates, and even sings the actual show tunes! A very sweet and positive read that nevertheless deals with realistic tween/teen problems. Highly recommend.
b_jud's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
fast-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
4.0
chronically_theo's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
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? No
5.0
MAIN CHARACTER IS A WHEELCHAIR USER!! SHE IS AWESOME
ldbaker628's review
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
Nat is a middle schooler who moves across the country. She has to figure out who she wants to be.
She is a wheel chair user and expresses many of her struggles. There are many things I hadn’t thought of before reading this in regards to a physical disability.
She is a wheel chair user and expresses many of her struggles. There are many things I hadn’t thought of before reading this in regards to a physical disability.