SETTING THE STAGE

In this series opener, Champion introduces readers to the chaotic world of middle school theater through the eyes of the often-overlooked stage crew.

When eighth grader Ella Amani finally gets her dream job as stage manager for Curie: The Musical, she discovers that managing both temperamental cast members and her ragtag crew is harder than she expected. The premise is fresh: Most middle-grade theater novels focus on aspiring actors, but this one showcases the unsung heroes who make productions possible. The story rotates among multiple narrators: perfectionist Ella; her best friend, Levi Jacobson, who’s crushing on the show’s star; Sebastian Diaz, a sixth grader dealing with his own crush on Levi while his sister headlines the production; and rainbow-haired Willow McCloskey, a sarcastic New Yorker doing crew as punishment. The cast vs. crew conflict provides solid dramatic tension, and the characters tackle real issues such as learning differences, foster care, family issues, and the feeling of being the new kid. Though chapters are labeled with character names, the voices feel largely interchangeable. It takes most of the book to distinguish among speakers, making emotional investment difficult for those not already interested in the topic. Still, Champion clearly knows her theater. The Broadway references, technical details, backstage dynamics, and crew hierarchy feel authentic and will delight drama kids, and the cliffhanger ending will leave them eager for the next installment. Names and other cues in the text imply racial diversity among the characters.

Theater enthusiasts will appreciate the insider knowledge and behind-the-scenes perspective.