(1) K-3 Illustrated by Kate Berube. Barnett and Berube offer a sensitive story about a boy grappling with stage fright and insecurity. The main character, John, walks into the narrative on the front endpaper carrying a duffle bag, his shoulders slumped and his eyes downcast. A page-turn welcomes readers into a busy school auditorium where breakfast is ending and children are beginning to sit in front of a stage. An unnamed narrator explains the school's weekly Sharing Gifts assembly and notes John's anxiety: "He was quiet at breakfast. We knew why." Barnett's use of "we" builds a sense of intimacy, reinforced by Berube's warm ink and paint illustrations depicting students with many different skin tones, hair types and textures, and affects. The pace slows and suspense builds over a number of pages that show John suiting up in his ballet leotard and contemplating what he is about to face. A double-page spread puts readers onstage with the boy looking out at students who are distracted and whispering. Then Berube's illustrations burst into motion in a series of wordless spreads as John begins dancing. He's absorbed in his joy, and his classmates--and readers--become as enraptured as he is. Barnett and Berube bring mastery of craft as well as an understanding of human nature to offer a fresh take on a familiar theme.

Reviewer: Adrienne L. Pettinelli | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2022

(3) PS Illustrated by Alea Marley. Young Téo loves to dance. At home, he dances the cumbia and the bhangra with Papí and Amma. In ballet class (where he wears a tutu "because it's pretty"), "he couldn't wait to perform onstage, under the lights in a fancy costume, before a real audience!" When it's time to choose a costume, he's drawn to a skirted leotard that "reminded him of...peonies" but feels pressure to pick the silver shirt and black pants. Macias's gentle story features a winning gender-nonconforming, biracial protagonist and his supportive adults (parents, teacher); Marley's lively illustrations acknowledge Téo's nervousness about being judged and celebrate his joy and bravery when he's true to himself.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(2) K-3 Momo, a little girl, nervously awaits her turn in a piano recital. A mouse invites her through a tiny door and into a parallel world where Momo enjoys a mouse variety show. The final two spreads show the human audience applauding; Momo was playing in her own recital all along. Miyakoshi's crowd scenes of mouse audience and orchestra are the pleasure here, rich with variety, personality, and micro-narratives.

Reviewer: Sarah Ellis | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2019

(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

(2) K-3 In this rhyming second-person text, a girl with light-brown skin, exuberant red curls, and spindly limbs arrives for a ballet audition. Struck by a case of last-minute nerves, she gets a pep talk from an unexpected advocate--her shadow. In vibrant, digitally assembled sumi ink, gouache, and watercolor collages, the pair twirls and leaps in a lively duet through Manhattan's streets before returning for the audition.

Reviewer: Katie Bircher | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2018

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Jess Golden. Pilar loves ballet, but her worries could prevent her from auditioning for the Winter Wonderland show. With breathing strategies and emotional support, Pilar successfully auditions. Kids with anxiety could disagree with the claim in the author's note that anxiety is "one of the easiest conditions to treat." But Pilar's experiences could also offer comfort and understanding. Golden's quiet illustrations capture Pilar's inner world.

Reviewer: Mariko Turk

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Molly Idle. Zombelina is excited to share her new hip-hop routine at show-and-tell, but when the time comes, "things begin falling apart" (literally). By channeling her embarrassment into empathy and support for nervous new (ghost) kid Morty, Zombelina gains a friend and dance partner. The singsongy rhyming text and didactic message are enhanced by Idle's lively and humorous colored-pencil illustrations.

Reviewer: Katie Bircher

(3) 4-6 Girl vs. Boy Band series. In this second entry, Lark's friend/love interest Teddy is now a bona fide teen idol, and "Songbird" (a.k.a. Lark, on YouTube) is rapidly becoming a country music sensation. When Abbey Road (Teddy's band, produced by Lark's mom) asks Lark to be its opening act, she battles stage fright. Music lovers will delight in the world of fandom and in watching Lark follow her dreams.

Reviewer: Rebecca Kirshenbaum

(2) 4-6 Since she started middle school, shy Amina struggles with self-consciousness about her Muslim Pakistani American identity. Meanwhile, her conservative uncle objects to her singing and piano playing, and the local Islamic Center is vandalized. A relatable portrayal of a tween who wants to fit in and who's devoted to her faith even amid her confusion about her family's varied approaches to it.

Reviewer: Shoshana Flax | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2017

(3) YA Shy, obedient Victoria Cruz attends a NYC prep school on scholarship and works hard for grades that will one day get her into Harvard--her traditional Cuban American parents' dream for her. Secretly, though, she has started doubling as the lead singer in an indie rock band. Despite its harmlessly predictable plot, Milanes's charming, authentic characters make this an entertaining story of music and identity.

Reviewer: Yaisha Cordero-Rivera

(2) K-3 Andy & Sandy series. Illustrated by Tomie dePaola. In this fourth installment, Sandy proposes the friends dance together in a talent show; Andy just has to follow her lead. But when the curtain goes up, Sandy freezes, and it's Andy's turn to lead. Simple page layouts, with few words and easy-to-interpret illustrations, make the text accessible to beginning readers. Andy and Sandy are perfect fictional buddies to encourage youngsters to try new things.

Reviewer: Robin L. Smith | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2017

(4) 4-6 Victoria Torres, Unfortunately Average series. Sixth grader Victoria Torres's aspirations and her reality don't usually align. In these volumes, she's cast as Friar Laurence, not Juliet, in Romeo and Juliet (Drama); and she refuses to engage in dirty politics during class elections and might have to accept a lesser office (President). Believable ethical situations and a thoughtful heroine add appeal to otherwise pat middle-school fare. Activities appended. Glos. Review covers the following Victoria Torres, Unfortunately Average titles: So Much Drama and Vicka for President.

Reviewer: Norah Piehl

(3) 1-3 Illustrated by Angela Dominguez. Jewish Latina American Lola (Lola Levine Is Not Mean!), seven, is excited for her class play until she freezes during tryouts and gets a (nonspeaking) role: Squirrel #2. During the performance, Lola must improvise with some help from her bubbe. Loud, spunky Lola will greatly appeal to readers who share her flair for the dramatic. Black-and-white illustrations, diary entries, and letters are sprinkled throughout.

Reviewer: Kari Allen

(2) K-3 Store-clerk-by-day Sam moonlights as a (stage fright–suffering) juggler. His daughter Eleanor lavishes attention on stray dog Lucy. By the end of the four-act story, Lucy has found her forever family, and Sam has found his place in the spotlight. Oval-shaped, duotone oil illustrations float amidst white space, the design offering equal weight to both text and image.

Reviewer: Elisa Gall | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2016

(4) 4-6 Jake Maddox Girl Sports Stories series. Illustrated by Katie Wood. Text by Leigh McDonald. These sports-themed stories highlight important skills necessary for team activities, specifically self-confidence (Pool) and teamwork (Volleyball). Fast pacing keeps the predictable plots focused and easy to follow; black-and-white digital illustrations reflect reality with diverse characters. Appropriate for discussions about character building and social skills. Discussion questions, writing prompts, and facts about the sports are appended. Glos. Review covers these Jake Maddox Girl Sports Stories titles: Pool Panic and Volleyball Victory.

Reviewer: Lana Barnes

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Nina Victor Crittenden. Shy and cautious chick Lily is nervous to read her poem in front of the class at the Grand-Slam Poetry Jam. The sweet story, rife with chicken-related puns, emphasizes that there's no shame in being chicken sometimes, if you're brave when it matters. Crittenden's soft but defined watercolor, pen, and ink illustrations portray an amiable farm-animal cast.

Reviewer: Jeannie Coutant

(3) K-3 Jack's worry about playing his trumpet in tonight's concert is personified as an ever-growing, faceless blue monster. The worry follows him until he hears Mom's reassuring words of love and support. The loose illustrations, acrylic paint and pencil on watercolor paper, skillfully capture Jack's relatable emotions, with scribbly line work contributing to a child-rendered look. Concise text provides a solid through line to convey the universal moral.

Reviewer: Amy Seto Forrester

(3) 1-3 Critter Club series. Illustrated by Tracy Bishop. When Marion announces she signed the Critter Club up for the Quiz Bowl, timid Amy is nervous. But the girls practice hard for the competition--while also taking care of some rescued chickens--and readers will rejoice as Amy overcomes her stage fright to lead the team to victory. A satisfying entry in the sweet illustrated series ideal for animal-loving young readers.

Reviewer: Kari Allen

(3) 4-6 Magic Shop series. Illustrated by Eric Wight. With Magician Mike Lane. Fourth grader Mike is growing up, but no one else seems to notice. The chance to show off his magic in the school talent show might be just what he needs to change his image once and for all...if he can control his stage fright. Black-and-white cartoon illustrations and four new magic tricks will keep fans of this undemanding series engaged.

Reviewer: Rebecca Kirshenbaum

(4) 1-3 Illustrated by Paul Hoppe. Lola reluctantly agrees to dress up as the third Cupcake Queen for Halloween with Jessie and Amanda, much to her friend Savannah's disappointment. Meanwhile, Lola gets the lead in the class play and is struck with stage fright. While this third book's language is as cutesy as ever, readers will relate to Lola's feelings of wanting to fit in. Emotive black-and-white illustrations appear throughout.

Reviewer: Julie Bartynski-Fenner