PLACES, EVERYONE!
Callie loves theater. And while she would totally try out for her middle school's production of Moon Over Mississippi, she can't really sing. Instead she's the set designer for the drama department stage crew, and this year she's determined to create a set worthy of Broadway on a middle-school budget. But how can she, when she doesn't know much about carpentry, ticket sales are down, and the crew members are having trouble working together? Not to mention the onstage AND offstage drama that occurs once the actors are chosen. And when two cute brothers enter the picture, things get even crazier!
I've gone through Raina's braces years, her complicated relationship with her sister, and now here comes a new fictional story about Callie, love, and drama. I've enjoyed Raina's previous books because they felt so relatable. Callie's story has that same feeling so I instantly felt connected to her story. Now, I've never been a set designer like Callie or acted in a play but I've watched a few school productions to appreciate how hard those kids must have worked to get everything done. And Callie and her whole drama team work hard for their play. Callie created sets and also a cannon that she had so much difficulty trying to get work, poor girl. Offset the story follows along middle-grade relationships and the drama that comes with it.
Everything starts off with Callie walking with her friend and his brother Greg who she later on kisses after he explains he is no longer with his girlfriend. And let the drama ensue! There are also these two twins Callie becomes friends with who are on the book cover. One of them loves to sing and can't wait to audition as male lead of the play while the other twin loves to sing but is too shy to audition. There is some drama and romantical type things happening with them that gets interesting.
I liked Callie's personality, love of plays, and set designs. She has such passion for what she does that I wish I could see her all grown up doing them. There was a lot of talk of relationships and sexuality. Middle school is supposed to be the time where those things start coming up which makes all middle schoolers more miserable than they already are. I like how the relationships and exploration of sexuality was portrayed in the story. I felt transported back at that age but thankfully with Callie as a guide, not myself. If you liked Smile and Sisters, I don't see why you won't like Drama.
What clubs or activities were you a part of in middle school?
I didn't do much in middle school besides girl scouts. I do want to read these graphic novels though!
ReplyDeleteBESIDES Girl Scouts?? That is pretty cool actually. I wish I would have gotten out in nature more as a kid.
DeleteI think my favorite book by this author is Smile. Perhaps because I too had braces when I was younger... ;) I just played lots of sports through middle school and high school. Softball was the sport I ALWAYS played. I also did soccer, bowling, and tennis.
ReplyDeleteI loved that one too. I can relate with her as well. I felt them again as she got her braces in.
DeleteI wish I played lots of sports! Softball looks like tons of fun. I was hitting in a batting cage not too long ago for fun.
I have a rekindled love for bowling because my family and I have been doing groupon's to go to a bowling alley lately.
Sisters and Smile are a big hit with my students in my school library. Kids have been asking me to get Drama, but I haven't read it yet, so I have been waiting (we are a K-5 school and the other books are usually taken out by 3-5 graders). Great reading your review. I will have to check it out soon!
ReplyDeleteI think it's appropriate for that age group even if it is set in middle school. Ghosts is supposed to be really good too.
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