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Overview
Trixie Shapiro may be one of the shyest students at Mason High, but she's also the funniest. When her best friend, Jazzy, signs her up to perform stand-up at Senior Talent Night, Trixie's terrified she'll absolutely choke. And as if a seemingly disastrous debut isn't enough, Trixie's drama teacher encourages her to try again—this time at the local comedy club, Chaplin's.
To her surprise, Trixie's confidence begins to swell, and a surefire comedy act is born. Trixie finds herself on a fast track, winning contests and earning a job as the opening comic at the comedy club. It's a dream come true. Then Trixie lands a boyfriend—her longtime crush, hipster Gavin Baldwin. Now caught between the increasing demands of two worlds, Trixie faces a difficult choice between a romantic, inviting path and a risky shot at comedic stardom.
Ellen Schreiber narrates an inspiring and entertaining story of a shy teen who, struggling to find her voice, discovers a shining place in the spotlight.
Shy, seventeen-year-old Trixie Shapiro, who dreams of being a professional comic, gets a big break after her friend signs her up to a stand-up routine at their school's Talent Night.
Editorials
Publishers Weekly
Trixie Shapiro fantasizes about being a stand-up comic, but she is shy (for her drama class final, a performance in front of the whole school, she blanks and only manages one joke). During her senior year, she begins building confidence-and polishing her skills-performing at a local comedy club. There, she also attracts the attention of crush Gavin Baldwin, who has "coolness oozing like steam from a sizzling fajita"; as her fame grows, so does her popularity. At times, the story line stretches credibility: Trixie's opportunity to perform in Las Vegas with one of her heroes seems a bit far-fetched, and another plot point about her best friend's sudden obsession with popularity goes nowhere. But Schreiber's (Teenage Mermaid) portrayal of Trixie's funny personality comes through with an authentic comedic flare, and her struggles feel realistic. Not only is she wiped out from her late-night performing, but her mother wants her to focus on school and college, and Gavin asks her to choose between him and comedy ("The relationship was about you worshipping Gavin. Now Gavin has to worship you," her best friend tells her). Overall, Trixie will keep her audience amused, even as she teaches something about the cost-and rewards-of pursuing a dream. Ages 12-up. (Aug.) Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.Children's Literature
Trixie Shapiro dreams of being a comedian. She practices stand-up comedy in her room with her stuffed animal audience. One day, Eddie, who Trixie dates, introduces her to his brother. Ben works at the local comedy club, Chaplin. He invites Trixie to watch the shows. Soon, Trixie is spending all her time at the comedy club. Before she knows it, she's a contestant in the Amateur Comedy Club Contest. Trixie is a success. She's on her way to making her dreams come true. However, Trixie is also dating Gavin, who just wants to be a regular senior boy and go to prom. Trixie must choose either her comedy routine or Gavin. She chooses comedy. Happily, Trixie reunites with Gavin after a year on the road doing stand-up comedy. Schreiber's story is witty and fresh; her character's voice leaps off the page from the beginning. Readers will love Trixie's humor. The book is a page-turner from page one. 2004, Katherine Tegen Books/HarperCollins, Ages 12 to 15.—Mindy Hardwick