Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Drama


Telgemeier, Raina. Drama. Scholastic, New York, 2012. 312 pages.  Tr. $23.99 ISBN 9780545326988


Plot Description:
Callie loves the theater, unfortunately she can’t sing or act, but she stills find a way to be involved in her school’s drama department by joining the stage crew.  Callie is determined to make this year’s production stand out by building a set worthy of Broadway, complete with a working canon.  Callie has her work cut out with her, but she also has help from two new friends, twin brothers, Justin and Jesse.  Justin is going out for the lead part and is open about his acting ambitions and his sexuality.  Jesse is shier than his brother and prefers to remain out of the spotlight, working back stage with Callie.  Battling dwindling ticket sales and all the drama off stage, can the production survive?

Review:
Raina Telgemeier’s graphic novel is a fun and flirty story about where all the real drama of the theater happens: back stage!  Callie is an enthusiastic and determined protagonist.  She is understandably confused by Jesse, having a crush on him and then discovering him with West, but in the end she realizes that no one is more confused than Jesse and the two are able to mend their friendship.  Brothers Justin and Jesse are wonderful secondary characters.  At first the brothers seem completely different, Justin is openly gay and extroverted and Jesse is quiet and thoughtful.  Teglemeier’s illustrations are bright and bold, the perfect complement to Callie’s personality! 

Genre:
Graphic Novel
Realistic Fiction
GLBTQ

Reading Level/Interest Level:
Grades 6-9

Similar Books:
The Secret Language of Girls by Frances O’Roark Dowell

Awards/Honors:
YALSA Great Graphic Novels for Teens 2013
Stonewall Award Honor Book 2013

Author’s Website:

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