(3) 4-6 Federle wraps up Nate's story (Better Nate Than Ever; Five, Six, Seven, Nate!) by taking his title character from Broadway to a new stage: high school. There he comes out as gay to his classmates and spearheads a musical production of Great Expectations. Smart and snappy prose, lighthearted drama, and great characterizations make for an entertaining and moving trilogy finale.

Reviewer: Norah Piehl

(2) YA After his sister's fatal car crash and his father's subsequent departure, sixteen-year-old Quinn's screenwriting ambitions are on hold and his social life has evaporated. When best friend Geoff drags him to a party, Quinn meets college-guy Amir and reemerges from his shell as they develop a mutual attraction. The entire cast is well rounded in Federle's humorous, heartbreaking, and heartwarming YA debut.

Reviewer: Kazia Berkley-Cramer | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2016

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Mark Fearing. Tommy can't stop bopping and bouncing around the house, exhausting his family members, who take turns "tiring Tommy out" (e.g., "mow the lawn--twice"). Despite his reluctance to try tap dancing, Tommy finds that the moves are perfectly suited to his energy. Exaggerated cartoons humorously capture Tommy's happy feet (and exasperated family), while the active-language text matches Tommy's constant motion.

Reviewer: Carrie Harasimowicz Sullivan

(3) 4-6 Nate successfully auditioned for Broadway's E.T.: The Musical in Better Nate Than Ever. Of course, he's actually only an understudy's understudy, his chorus part keeps diminishing, and rehearsals are going poorly, but good-humored Nate takes it all in stride. Federle addresses his likable character's burgeoning interest in boys in a laudably straightforward way, making this entertaining backstage pass especially rewarding.

Reviewer: Cynthia K. Ritter

(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