Overview
Two theater-mad, self-inventedfabulositon Ohio teenagers.One boy, one girl.One gay, one straight.One black, one white.And SUMMER DRAMA CAMP.It's a season of hormones, gold lame,hissy fits,jazz hands,song and dance, true love,and unitardsthat will determine their future--and test their friendship.Synopsis
Two theater-mad, self-invented
fabulositon Ohio teenagers.
One boy, one girl.
One gay, one straight.
One black, one white.
And SUMMER DRAMA CAMP.
It's a season of hormones,
gold lame,
hissy fits,
jazz hands,
song and dance,
true love,
and unitards
that will determine their future
—and test their friendship.
KLIATT
Desperate to escape their town in Ohio, the narrator Sadye and her best friend Demi audition for a summer drama camp; they are accepted, and the drama that follows will be highly entertaining (and informative) to any YA reader interested in the theater. Demi is gay, extremely talented, and desperate to fall in love. Sadye (previously known as Sarah) doesn't have Demi's talent, but she is a pretty good dancer and is smart, smart, smart. Too smart, one might ask? She actually questions her directors' choices and suggests alternatives. Since directors are sort of like gods in this arena, Sadye's attitude isn't welcome. You might expect some sort of formulaic plot in which Sadye is transformed and becomes a big star—well, if you do, you would be surprised at how Lockhart works things out for Sadye. Lockhart has her own experience of drama camp and this lends an authentic voice to the proceedings, which include details of characters, scenes, lines, and staging. The other campers, some professional actors already, are a sharp contrast to Sadye and Demi and their provincial background in small-town USA. While this story is entertaining above all else, it does demand a certain sophistication on the part of its YA readers. Reviewer: Claire Rosser
Editorials
KLIATT -
Desperate to escape their town in Ohio, the narrator Sadye and her best friend Demi audition for a summer drama camp; they are accepted, and the drama that follows will be highly entertaining (and informative) to any YA reader interested in the theater. Demi is gay, extremely talented, and desperate to fall in love. Sadye (previously known as Sarah) doesn't have Demi's talent, but she is a pretty good dancer and is smart, smart, smart. Too smart, one might ask? She actually questions her directors' choices and suggests alternatives. Since directors are sort of like gods in this arena, Sadye's attitude isn't welcome. You might expect some sort of formulaic plot in which Sadye is transformed and becomes a big star—well, if you do, you would be surprised at how Lockhart works things out for Sadye. Lockhart has her own experience of drama camp and this lends an authentic voice to the proceedings, which include details of characters, scenes, lines, and staging. The other campers, some professional actors already, are a sharp contrast to Sadye and Demi and their provincial background in small-town USA. While this story is entertaining above all else, it does demand a certain sophistication on the part of its YA readers. Reviewer: Claire RosserVOYA -
Demi and Sarah are kindred spirits. Both feel trapped in their small Ohio hometown. When the opportunity arrives to audition for a theatrical summer camp, they take the plunge-six weeks at summer drama camp seems magical. Then reality hits. Demi is thrilled that he no longer has to play a role as the straight boy. At camp, he can be who he really is. Before long, he is cast as the lead in two different productions. Sarah, however, decides to reinvent herself for the summer. She is now Sadye, at once exhilarated to be at camp and depressed not to be making much progress in the eyes of her teachers. Lockhart is adept at creating characters who, despite their eccentricities, reflect the joys and fears of the average adolescent. Sadye and Demi search for acceptance-for their place in the world at large as well as the world of the theater. They and their classmates are vulnerable, very human beings despite their various talents. Readers who enjoyed Sara Ryan's Empress of the World (Viking, 2001/VOYA August 2001) and Alex Flinn's Diva (HarperCollins, 2006/VOYA October 2006) will appreciate the story as well as its insights into the world of the theater. A brief appendix lists the plays performed during summer camp as well as some of Demi and Sadye's favorite musicals. Readers can also download Sadye's playlist to their MP3 players or view the list on the author's Web site at http://www.theboyfriendlist.com.School Library Journal
Gr 9 Up
The stage is calling to Demi and Sadye (aka Douglas and Sarah), so they're off to Wildewood Academy's summer theater program for eight weeks of showtimes, show tunes, and show-offs. The teens enjoy the whirlwind pace of the theater, but their close friendship begins to fray; Demi gains fame and gets a boyfriend, while Sadye clashes with her roommates and fights with the directors. When the pair are caught drinking on the campus rooftop, Sadye takes the fall so that Demi can remain at Wildewood. Strong secondary characters round out the plot; the gay relationships are mostly chaste, featuring kissing but avoiding more physical encounters. Teens will identify strongly with both the heartbreak and the humor in this authentic portrayal of friendships maturing and decaying. Those who don't follow musical theater might not recognize the show titles or tunes, but the campy spirit of the book shines through, regardless. An effervescent read, this is an excellent purchase.
—Chris ShoemakerCopyright 2006 Reed Business Information.