The school show is soon to be announced at Eucalyptus Middle School. Callie is a Grade 7 (Intermediate-NZ) student, and nuts about all things theatre – especially sets and stage design. She has contemplated venturing from backstage to onstage but past experience has proven that her singing skills are far below her set skills.

The show is to be Moon over Mississippi and the auditions are intense. Many talented vocalists sing their stuff and the competition is fierce. There is both jubilation and disappointment among Callie’s friends, but the cast and crew soon settle in to their given tasks.

Callie has a tumble of ideas for the sets – providing backgrounds, moods of the play and props, including a cannon! Her best friend Liz is in charge of the costumes and her new friends – twins Jesse and Justin are also involved.

Along with the planning and preparation for the show, there are other things on Callie’s mind. She likes a guy and thinks it’s mutual. When she learns the truth she’s hurt and confused. A friend reveals he is gay but also that his parents don’t know. Then there is someone she has known for years who seems constantly angry at her, without her knowing why.

As the play approaches, the props not going to plan and the upcoming school dance not far away, Callie’s head is spinning. She’s not sure whether a friend who is a boy is just a friend, or something more. With some heart to hearts with Liz and true feelings shared among friends, Callie gets to enjoy her part in the play after all – with a surprising announcement for next year’s show too.

This full colour graphic novel by the author/illustrator sensation that is Raina Telgemeier, lives up to its title. It is chocka full of all types of Drama – school show auditions, relationships between friends, boyfriends, and finding out who your real friends are. There is the drama of a crush and a secret to be kept, let alone all the actual drama of the final show.

The theatre production itself is the setting of this story and what it hangs upon. All the tension of middle school / intermediate is poured out on the page along with laughter of every day life among friends and the multilayered stresses of school production planning.

Bright, engaging, realistic.

Author / Illustrator – Raina Telgemeier

Age – 11+

Graphic Novel

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(2012, Scholastic, Graphic Novel, School Play, School Production, School Show, Set design, Back Stage, Props, Planning, Teamwork, Crush, Boyfriend, Relationships, Friendships, Twins, Gay, Bi, Secret, LGBTQ+, Potential, Shy, Siblings, Middle School, Growing Up, Music)