Theater Novels (Intermediate)

(2) 4-6 Fourth grader Izzy has her share of common woes--mean girls, school anxiety, play auditions, Dad's new girlfriend, an older brother who's retreating into "the teenage nation," and a new friend with a secret (she's a cancer survivor). Our window into Izzy's world is a series of short, episodic first-person prose poems adding up to a well-rounded portrait of a thoughtful character.

Reviewer: Sarah Ellis | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2017

(3) 1-3 Illustrated by Charles Santoso. Although Bat (A Boy Called Bat) doesn't like change, with older sister Janie at play rehearsal Bat must spend afternoons at new friend Israel's house. Thankfully, he has pet skunk Thor...but then Thor ruins Janie's performance and Bat must make things right. Arnold continues her sensitive depiction of Bat's autism, particularly as he struggles with accountability. Black-and-white illustrations convey the warmth of this loving family.

Reviewer: Rebecca Kirshenbaum

(2) 4-6 In this entirely satisfying sequel to The Shakespeare Stealer, loyalty, trust, and respect once again play a significant role as orphan Widge, now an actor, finds himself torn between his newfound family--the Lord Chamberlain's Men--and a man claiming to be his father. The engaging novel contains an informative author's note that carefully separates fact from fiction.

Reviewer: Jennifer M. Brabander | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2000

(1) 4-6 A young actor travels back in time to 1599 and performs at the Globe Theatre alongside Shakespeare himself. Nat and Will form an intense attachment, and when Nat wakes again in 1999 he's devastated--even after he learns that his time-traveling saved the playwright's life. Ultimately, Nat learns that love is stronger than death in this powerfully rendered historical novel/fantasy/love story.

Reviewer: Jennifer M. Brabander | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 1999

(3) 4-6 Dreaming of Broadway stardom, thirteen-year-old Nate Foster runs away from his dull Pennsylvania town to the Big Apple, and to a casting call for a new musical. Tailor-made for fans of Glee, Federle's debut novel combines humor with an insider's perspective on the theater, an enthusiastic portrait of New York, and a genuine affection for lovable misfit Nate.

Reviewer: Norah Piehl

(2) 4-6 Fifth grader Derek is having a hard time. His former best friend now bullies him, his mother is moody, and his beloved father is serving in Afghanistan. A role in a school play introduces Derek to a supportive group. When Derek learns devastating news, he garners comfort and strength from unlikely sources. Readers whose lives are similar to Derek's will find a comrade here.

Reviewer: Robin L. Smith | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2013

(2) 4-6 Orphan Catherine "Cat" Royal lives in the Theater Royal. She helps the theater owner protect a "diamond" he's hiding but soon realizes he's concealing something else. Meanwhile, Cat and Pedro, a musical prodigy and former slave, are also embroiled in a street-gang rivalry. Golding situates her story precisely; often a few deft words bring the setting into satisfying, sharp focus.

Reviewer: Deirdre F. Baker | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2008

(3) 1-3 Illustrated by Stephanie Roth Sisson. Posey's first-grade class science unit on bees sparks drama when Caitlyn scores both a special bee eraser and the coveted role of Queen Bee in the play. Posey's jealousy leads to poor choices and, ultimately, an important realization: mistakes are okay; it's how one owns up that matters. Bubbly grayscale art adds levity and compassion to Posey's always-relatable trials in this eleventh installment.

Reviewer: Rebecca Kirshenbaum

(3) 4-6 Seventh grader Wylie blows a musical-theater audition but is then inspired to start an a cappella group. In the process, she overcomes her stage fright and learns hard lessons about friendship. The first-person narrative is interspersed with tween-y text messages. With the feel of television's Glee, this breezy read has just a hint of romance among the middle-school dramas.

Reviewer: Amy Seto Forrester

(3) 4-6 During seventh grade, African American Mango loses her BFF; gets cast in the school musical; becomes fake friends with the richest, meanest girl in school to help her own dad get a job; and ultimately learns that sometimes good people do the wrong thing for the right reason. This entertaining middle-school story features a wonderfully diverse set of characters and slangy tween dialogue.

Reviewer: Amy Seto Forrester

(2) 4-6 Since her mother's death, seventh-grader Serena's depressed father won't leave his bed. Serena is chosen for the school play, but life becomes increasingly stressful as she tries to keep up her grades and care for the family. Jones vividly depicts the strains many students feel under the pressures of school and demands of home. Serena's courage and perseverance make her a compelling character.

Reviewer: Susan Dove Lempke | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2011

(3) 1-3 Fix-It Friends series. Illustrated by Tracy Dockray. "The Fix-It Friends," a group that works together to help their peers solve problems, forms in Fear; they help a friend learn lines for a play (Show), another friend to stand up when teased (Sticks), and one of their own to process losing a pet (Wish). Narrated by spunky seven-year-old Veronica and emotively illustrated, these kid-empowering books' lessons go down easily. Back matter includes resources for dealing with each story's concern. Review covers these Fix-It Friends titles: Have No Fear!, The Show Must Go On, Sticks and Stones, and Wish You Were Here.

Reviewer: Kari Allen

(4) 4-6 The day Jack, a Broadway child actor, moves to Shaker Heights, Ohio, Louisa's life changes. Both MTNs ("Musical Theater Nerds") get cast in a community theater production of Into the Woods. Chock-full of musical-theater references, this predictable story is carried by endearing characters and authentic theater experiences. A solid choice for MTNs looking for a story that reflects their passion.

Reviewer: Amy Seto Forrester

(3) 4-6 Seventh grader Cooper Vega discovers his new cellphone is haunted by an Elizabethan ghost named Roderick, who claims he's the true author of Romeo and Juliet. Coincidentally, the play is being performed at Cooper's new school. Themes of bullying and belonging give this entertaining read some heft, but Korman's trademark humor is always evident, especially when Roderick gives Cooper romantic advice.

Reviewer: Carolyn Shute

(3) 4-6 Yes No Maybe So series. Readers help Sitara (Tara), an Indian American girl who dreams of Broadway fame, choose between auditioning for a community theater show and helping her parents' sweet shop cater a Bollywood actress's wedding--all while three boys vie for her attention. A diverse cast of characters and significant cultural markers distinguish this fun-filled new choose-your-own-adventure-structured series.

Reviewer: Amy Seto Forrester

(2) 4-6 This follow-up to graphic novel Invisible Emmie again alternates perspectives, with (Emmie's best friend) Brianna's story rendered via large cartoon-panel drawings, and artsy-dreamer classmate Izzy's in smaller, border-free vignettes. Izzy's grounded but sneaks off to perform in the talent show. Brianna, meanwhile, reluctantly steps in for someone at the show and connects with her drama-teacher mother. A twist reveals an emotionally rewarding surprise. Libenson captures middle-school dramas with candor, fast pacing, and relatable characters.

Reviewer: Julie Danielson | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2018

(2) 4-6 In this rip-roaring turn-of-the-twentieth-century adventure, twelve-year-old Cissy Sissney and two of her classmates visit their beloved former teacher, whose acting troupe has taken up residence on a rundown steamboat. Villains emerge, hijinks ensue, and Cissy and friends save the day. The ensemble cast brims with quirky, original characterization in this warmhearted paean to the tall tales of the American West.

Reviewer: Jonathan Hunt | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2011

(3) 1-3 Illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds. Stink heads to Shakespeare Camp over spring break (the only boy attending, it turns out). Stink's in it for the Shakespearean insults and swordplay, but he learns that there is also kissing in Shakespeare's plays. Stink won't have to kiss his "sometimes friend, most times enemy" Riley Rottenberger, will he?! Reynolds's illustrations capture all the theatrics in this spirited chapter-book introduction to Shakespeare.

Reviewer: Kari Allen

(3) 4-6 Backstagers series. Illustrated by Rian Sygh. In this series-starting novel based on the Backstagers comics series, the St. Genesius Prep theater techs and their new witch friend, Reo, battle ghosts in the dangerous, magical Backstage. Meanwhile, the tight-knit group of boys struggles with school-theater-love balance. Plenty of insider theater jokes are wrapped in a humorous ensemble story with wide appeal. Monochromatic spot illustrations and brisk pacing contribute to the readability.

Reviewer: Amy Seto Forrester

(3) 4-6 Can two unlikely sixth-grade friends save the world from mind- and body-controlling cephalopod-like aliens in time to star in the middle-school play? With a diverse cast of characters, gross-out humor, and just a dash of Shakespeare, this zany yet heartfelt sci-fi adventure set in a small coastal town near Seattle will thrill fans of Adam Rex.

Reviewer: Amy Seto Forrester

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Kerascoët. Framed as an adult describing her awkward youth to her daughters, this high-energy novel introduces Jacky at age twelve in 1990. A middle child in a home of seven girls, Jacky uses humor and theater to establish her sense of self while her mother serves abroad in the U.S. Marine Corps. The brisk blend of comedy and personal growth is well suited to its audience.

Reviewer: Lauren Causey

(2) 4-6 Black-and-white drawings tell of a storm, a shipwreck, and a rescue in a theater; years pass and a dynasty is born of sons of sons who love the stage. In a second story, told in text and encapsulating the first, Joseph runs away to his uncle's London house, where Uncle Albert seems to serve as caretaker for ghosts. Selznick's masterful story-inside-a-story unfolds an emotional narrative.

Reviewer: Nina Lindsay | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2015

(2) 4-6 Adopted Cambodian-British fifth grader Dara is gobsmacked when she isn't given the lead in the school musical. Dara's realization that acting involves putting oneself in another's shoes helps her become a better actor, friend, and sister. With themes of transracial adoption, racism, identity, friendship, and sibling rivalry, there's a lot going on, but Shevah's novel raises interesting questions without attempting to neatly answer them all.

Reviewer: Jennifer M. Brabander | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2016

(2) 4-6 Illustrated by Gary A. Rosen. Appleblossom and siblings discover how to find food, prepare for such enemies as "hairies" (dogs) and "monsters" (people), and develop their acting abilities. (Possums have theater in their blood.) When Appleblossom is trapped in a "monster" house, two brothers, Mama, a newly rediscovered father--and her own acting abilities--come to her rescue. Rosen's pencil and wash illustrations reinforce this adventure's warm, witty sensibility.

Reviewer: Monica Edinger | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2015

(3) 4-6 While mourning the loss of her beloved dog, short-statured Julia Marks gets cast (much to her chagrin) as a Munchkin in a summer production of The Wizard of Oz. The play helps her mature and make new friends, including adult dwarf Olive. Julia's interior monologue--full of insights and frankness--is humorous, refreshing, and appropriately childlike; theater fans should also enjoy this behind-the-scenes look.

Reviewer: Cynthia K. Ritter

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Brooklyn Allen. This third novel based on the popular Lumberjanes comics finds the girls preparing for a theatrical festival at their summer camp for "Hardcore Lady-Types." But song-loving Ripley is distracted by a rescue mission related to a mysterious egg she found. Monochromatic red illustrations, snappy feminist-focused dialogue, fantasy elements, and colorful characters keep the plot rocketing forward. As usual, friendship and individuality are important overarching themes.

Reviewer: Renée Wheeler

(2) 4-6 Seventh-grader Callie loves musical theater, but she isn't much of a singer, so she works as a set designer for the school drama club. Her second year on stage crew is fraught with drama, on and off the set. Telgemeier gets her middle-school characters just right, and her graphic artist skills make this novel a pleasure to read and re-read.

Reviewer: Jennifer M. Brabander | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2012

(2) 4-6 Illustrated by Thomas Cox. Cutpurse-turned-carpenter Kit, striving to find his place in the world, works as a stage boy, messenger, and even bit player with the Lord Chamberlain's Men (the theater troupe home to Will Shakespeare et al.). His journey from lost boy to young man with a future is as satisfying as the detailed portrait of place and time in this accessible, you-are-there Elizabethan saga.

Reviewer: Martha V. Parravano | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2011