(2) 4-6 It's 1985, and twelve-year-old Stevie has spent years performing with Synchronicity -- a group whose shows are part lip synch, part dance, and some ASL. This summer, they're on a (chaperoned) cross-country tour. Offstage, Stevie is shy and anxious. Even though she's determined to ask out her crush via Long-Distance Dedication on American Top 40 Countdown, she can't stop tripping over her words when she talks to him in person. She's also worried about her brother, who has epilepsy and keeps brushing her off. But somewhere along the road from Omaha to New York City and back to Cheyenne, Stevie believes she'll learn how to be a star. In a road-trip novel that's chaotic but deeply joyful, Patrick captures the thrills and anxieties of performing onstage -- and all the complicated relationships that go on behind the scenes. The prose is at times darkly funny and at others affecting. The protagonist's reverence for 1980s pop culture also shines through and is convincing even if readers have little familiarity with the era. Though Stevie's attempts at first romance take center stage, it's most rewarding to watch her confidence grow as she slowly builds connections with her castmates and realizes that strong friendships can be as vital as first love.

Reviewer: Bodie Shanis | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2024

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Qin Leng. Piper Chen loves to sing, from offering a morning song to the sun, to joining the chorus of frogs in the pond, to singing goodnight to the moon. Whether she's "practicing her whistle" or "listening to Nai Nai's homemade jiaozi pop," Piper finds music all around her. When she's offered the chance to sing a solo in her school's spring concert, Piper is initially excited and then gripped by stage fright, feeling as if "butterflies were having a dance party in my belly!" This isn't like singing to a stuffed animal audience. With compassionate guidance from Nai Nai, Piper learns to transform the fluttering butterflies into sources of strength and excitement. Leng's lively ink, watercolor, and oil pastel illustrations render scenes of Piper's interactions with Nai Nai and her classmates with tender detail, enhancing the story's emotional depth. While the outcome isn't in doubt, Piper's sincerity and the themes of courage and self-expression make this book an uplifting choice, inspiring readers to embrace their passions and face their fears with courage.

Reviewer: Weileen Wang | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2024

(2) K-3 Hannah loves playing the violin, but she dreads performing in an upcoming recital. Mixed-media illustrations (charcoal, acrylic paint, pastel, and digital media) deftly swing between the girl's reality and her fantasies as the time of the recital looms closer. "She secretly wished something wild would happen," and after the page-turn, a bird outside her window (highlighted with a visual spotlight) becomes an entire flock whisking her recital outfit out the door "so she wouldn't have to go." The next page reveals the truth and a narrative refrain: "But nothing wild happened." The rabbits she conjures up from under the kitchen floor do not run away with her violin, nor do the outdoor fountain dolphins carry her away on their backs. Pastel shades become vivid swirling colors in Hannah's imagination but always dull again to recall her real-life plight. Soon she finds herself heading onstage, where art and text work together to manifest her nervousness, and the spotlight that has signaled magic throughout the story now centers on her. When Hannah starts to play, the art turns bold and fantastical again as she loses her self-consciousness in the joy of playing her violin. Small visual details throughout, including Hannah's lively siblings and her father's quick stop to buy flowers, make the book especially warm. It closes with a family celebration; however, some of the swirling lines and bold color remain, leaving Hannah and readers awash in the heady glow of a memorable and inspiring performance.

Reviewer: Julie Roach | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2023

(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 Most readers know someone like Ozzy: fun-loving, energetic, exuberant--and always wanting to be the center of attention. She particularly wants her cool (so cool she displays a poster of Grace Jones in her classroom) music teacher, Ms. Bomba, to notice her. So, when it comes time to pick an instrument for the school's recital, Izzy decides that it's the drums that will make the biggest impact. After creating a lot of noise, however, she discovers that's not the type of impact her teacher wants. Ms. Bomba gently reminds her that rather than be the star of the show, the drummer's job is to be discreet and set the tempo, a task she glumly carries out. "Ozzy felt invisible." Still, she practices her part, but on the night of the recital, she freezes; the bewildered band members are unable to begin. Ms. Bomba smoothly directs Ozzy to establish the beat, and "lead us in." Acting as a cohesive whole, the group performs beautifully, a thematic element emphasized as they sit on a curved stage visually enfolding all the musicians. Steele's vibrant watercolor and ink illustrations reflect the energy of Ozzy's diverse classroom; readers see the students dancing, tapping their toes, and singing in unison, displaying a contagious joy that hits all the right notes.

Reviewer: Betty Carter

(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