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 lamé,
hissy fits,
jazz hands,
song and dance,
true love,
and unitards
that will determine their future and test their friendship.
VOYA
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.