The Best Reader:
theatre

I'm very happy to again welcome Cassandra, from the Happy Book Lovers Blog, as this week's Guest Reviewer.

*******************

Eyes Like Stars — Lisa Mantchev

From Amazon.com...

"All her world’s a stage.

Bertie Shakespeare Smith is not an actress, yet she lives in a theater. She’s not an orphan, but she has no parents. She knows every part, but she has no lines of her own. That is, until now.
Enter Stage Right."
All her world's a stage.

Seventeen-year-old Beatrice (Bertie) Shakespeare Smith has spent her whole life within the walls of the Theatre Illuminata, a majestic and magical playhouse with thousands of players at the ready. Bertie was a foundling, discovered at the theater door, but management has now wearied of harboring the irreverent, unrestrained, occasionally downright destructive young woman she has become. She must prove-in four days-that she can make an invaluable contribution to the theater or be forever banished.

Mantchev seamlessly blends the chaotic with the traditional plays of the theatre, like molding Hamlet into an Egyptian setting, and morphing Bertie from a child into a cannon-firing tango-dancing girl ready to ward off the Stage Manager. She also expertly created a world in which I would die to live in, with sets constantly changing on stage to fit moods and topics of characters and their conversations.

It also held my interest, changing topics quickly but fluidly, so as not to confuse one too badly. I was lost at first, as there was minimal explaining that the players couldn't actually leave the theater, but once I found that out, I couldn't put the book down.

I also fell in love with the vividly striking Ariel, who played the villain for a while, always trying to manipulate Bertie into falling madly in love with him. I sure was. I adored his personality, and I felt as though when he stared at Bertie, his eyes penetrated me. It was eerie.

*******************

Thank you so much Cassandra. You have been such an amazing resource to my mission for literacy.

Please make sure to visit Cassandra at Happy Book Lovers Blog.

If you're interested in becoming a Guest Reviewer — find out how..

This week I'd like to again welcome Meg, from Write Meg, as this week's guest reviewer! Check out the original review here!

*******************

"Since turning 15, Scarlett Martin’s life has changed in an astounding rush: she’s now in charge of a suite at her family’s business, the charming but decaying Hopewell Hotel in New York City; her brother Spencer has finally landed an acting gig, introducing her Spence’s gorgeous fellow actor and Southern gentleman Eric; she’s making in-roads toward spending more time with little sister Marlene; and she’s been introduced to Amy Amberson, her suite’s dynamic, demanding and semi-famous resident. Under Mrs. Amberson’s guidance, the summer opens before Scarlett like a fan: full of unexpected turns, small adventures, money and new friendships. As the financial situation at the Hopewell seems to become more and more desperate, the Martin siblings — Scarlett, Lola, Spencer and Marlene — try to find new ways of chipping in and helping their worn-out parents drum up some new business. Ironically, Mrs. Amberson’s arrival starts to do wonders almost immediately." Above all, Maureen Johnson’s Suite Scarlett was a really fun, almost whimsical look at the bonds of one family. I have to say honestly how refreshing it was to read a story about a family that wasn’t fractured, difficult, divorced or not speaking to one another. While the Martins have their difficulties, they definitely love one another. Each character in the novel was fleshed-out and almost larger than life. While I could argue they were a bit “typecast” — Spencer is the funny one, the ambitious actor trying to make his way acting in the city; Lola is the type-A oldest sister, trying to keep everything afloat, etc. — I can’t honestly say this bugged me at all. Though Scarlett is our titular character, Johnson’s novel is in third person; we pop in and out of everyone’s heads, getting their take on the scene before them. Surprisingly, I loved that about it. The sense of place in this novel was awesome — I really felt like I’d stepped into the Hopewell’s lobby and was looking up at the sparkling (but dusty) chandelier as the Martin siblings scurried around. The mild romance that developed in the story was cute, and I loved all of the theatre references as Spencer’s play gets underway. Overall, a fast and fantastic read — and a really different, fun way to spend time in New York City. I could pack up my little suitcase and get to the Hopewell to share in family dinner and catch a performance myself! The book’s sequel, Scarlett Fever, is due out in February 2010. I’ll be waiting! ******************* Thank you so much Megan for an awesome review — I know I say this a lot, but I really can't wait to read this! If anyone else has a great book to recommend to high school students, please email me (my profile has the address). Check out this post for more information on how to become a guest reviewer. Please remember to check out Megan's blog, Write Meg, and share some book love. Thanks again, Megan!

"I can't deny how emotionally attached I was to the characters in so little time. I will definitely be keeping this book to have in my classroom and I hope to read the rest of Mia's adventures in the near future!" — Miss Remmers

From Amazon.com...

"After one summer at the Little Tykes Theatre, Mia Fullerton is meek no more, but that doesn't make her life any easier. Not in her sophomore year at St. Hilary's, when her best friend Lisa forces her into a dangerously big part in The Music Man. Not when her ex-boyfriend, Tim, is teaching her little brother Chris to treat women like objects. And not when she learns to drive with serious repercussions.

Who is Mia? Is she an independent girl like Zoe, her acerbic goth friend from Little Tykes? She'd like to be — that's why she's volunteering to be onstage for the first time, in a show populated by her first ex and childhood crush Jake, her arch-nemesis Cassie, and new girl in town Alyssa. That's why it's so important she overcome the bizarre driving instruction of St. Hilary's janitor Mr. Corrigan to earn her driver's license, and therefore her freedom. Or is she the girl who misses Tim, even after the way he betrayed her? Tim is smart, funny, and likeable in a distinctly obnoxious way, and he's determined to win Mia back even if he has a funny way of doing so, dating both Cassie and Alyssa at the same time, behind both their backs. Can Mia forgive Tim? Should she instead choose Eric, Zoe' s cousin, a nicer and more respectful choice in every way? Or would either choice defeat her goals of independence? And when the worst-case scenarios rear their heads when Mia is forced into the lead in The Music Man, when her first night out on the road goes horribly, when Chris appears headed entirely to the dark side does Mia on her own have what it takes to set things right?"

Mia sure has it rough. A school play, an over zealous best friend, busy parents, annoying little brother, and a whole "hot mess" of relationships with boys. I throughly enjoyed reading this novel and finished it in one in one sitting. It's a quick read that would be great for upper middle school students or underclassmen. But don't let this fool you, the characters are great and the plot keeps readers guessing.

I couldn't help but want to be Mia's friend and to witness her life unfold. Just when I thought I had the story down, a twist would appear at just the most opportune moment. I learned to love Lisa's quirkiness and the love/hate relationship between Mia and her brother Chris. The dialogue between Chris and Mia was great — it reminded my of the Gilmore Girls dialogue.

A few things did bother me though: I did not like Jake, all the "dudes" and similar jargon I thought was unneccessary and overdone. He was the stereotypical class idiot — it seemed over played. Along the same lines, Mia's friend Zoe also bugged me (a little — but not as much) in regards to being overly stereotyped. I will also add (I may be a prude) that when I was sixteen I definitely wasn't getting as much kissing in as Mia and her friends.

But other than those small things — I adored this book. The ending was great — so much emotion! While I didn't like how it ended particularly, I can't deny how emotionally attached I was to the characters in so little time. I will definitely be keeping this book to have in my classroom and I hope to read the rest of Mia's adventures in the near future!

Favorite Quotes:
"What do you call a man on a beach? — A tan-gent!" (7).
"I don't know what your problem is, but I'll bet it's hard to pronounce" (47).
"If you ever fell down a well, Lassie would leave you there" (47).
"You're about as optimistic as a weatherman calling for sunshine while holding an umbrella" (50).

To the FTC, with love: Review Book sent by publisher