Tag: shyness

REVIEW: Upstaged by Diana Harmon Asher

REVIEW: Upstaged by Diana Harmon Asher

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received a free electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Amulet Books in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

Shira is ambushed into auditioning for The Music Man. Her best friend, Cassie, thinks it’s a great way for Shira to move past her shyness. All Shira knows is that getting the first tenor part for the barbershop quartet in the play is drawing a lot more attention than she wants.

But being a girl cast in a male role in middle school starts to feel like small potatoes when Shira is asked to also be the understudy for Marian, the female lead in the musical. While Shira’s nervous about dealing with Monica, the 8th grade diva cast in the role, she really understands and identifies with the prim and shy librarian in the play.

But when Monica starts causing problems for Shira and her friends – and the production – Shira has to dig deep and find her voice, for the sake of everything that has become so important for her.

Review

This was so fun!! I had high hopes for this one. I adored the author’s previous book, Sidetracked. And I enjoy The Music Man as well as school stories, so this felt like it would be a good fit for me – and it was!

I think it will help readers if they have seen a production of The Music Man. Even if they don’t know the songs, it will help to understand the plot and especially the main characters. If I was doing something with this book in a classroom – a read-aloud, a book group – I would schedule a viewing if I could. It would be so fun!

Shira’s shyness is not an extreme example; she doesn’t have a paralyzing level of anxiety. She’s comfortable singing in private. And once she meets each new challenge in the story, she gains confidence and keeps moving forward.

There are plenty of middle grade standard elements here – friendship pieces, a mean girl, oblivious school personnel, amazing teachers, some crushes, etc. Any reader who enjoys contemporary middle grade fiction can find something here to love. Theater fans, singers, performers, and Music Man fans should absolutely check this one out!

Rating: ♥♥♥♥½*

*♥♥♥♥½ = I loved it! Would re-read.

REVIEW: The Sweetest Sound by Sherri Winston

REVIEW: The Sweetest Sound by Sherri Winston

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

Cadence Mariah Jolly has a secret. She can sing. Like, leave-your-mouth-hanging-open-in-awe kind of singing. It’s one of her most closely guarded secrets.

Something not-so-secret is that Cadence is shy. Her (unfortunate) nickname is Mouse. She’s an introvert. Crowds are stressful. Attention in front of others leaves her feeling anxious. She loves being with her friends and family, but she is also happy to spend time alone, playing music or reading.

Quiet Cadence made a bargain with God. She asked for a real keyboard, and in exchange she said she would share her secret talent. And she got her keyboard. She hasn’t quite figured out how to overcome her fear, though, and share her gift. But an uploading mistake forces her to face her fear and decide what she’s going to do with her voice.

Review

I loved this! It’s a touching story about music but it’s also about friendship and family. Most of all it’s about finding your voice, and not just in a singing sense.

Cadence is in a community of people who love her and want to take care of her. While she is still hurting over her mother’s abandonment, she also dislikes the pity she sees in the eyes of  everyone around her. She has her own ideas and thoughts, but her shyness keeps her from speaking up sometimes. And other times, good-hearted people can’t  hear her over their own hurts or their desire to help.

I loved the references to  great books in the story. The faith and music pieces were also terrific. This is a story I would read again. If I was teaching, I would put this in my classroom/library. I think readers will really connect with Cadence!

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥