Review coming soon. ( )

Review coming soon. ( )

Mattie (Matilda) falls in love with the play Romeo and Juliet, which her favorite English teacher, Mr. Torres, announces they will be reading in class and performing as the eighth grade play. Mattie surprises her best friends, theatrical Tessa and calm, organized Lucy, by auditioning, and getting her chosen role of Paris. But when the actor playing Romeo backs out of the production, Mr. Torres asks Mattie to take on the role. Mattie isn't afraid of the memorization - but she has a crush on Juliet, a British girl called Gemma, and she doesn't want anyone to know - including Gemma, who is friends with mean girl Willow. However, Gemma herself isn't mean, and Mattie's story has a happier ending than Romeo & Juliet's. Shakespearean insults are sprinkled throughout, courtesy of Tessa. Audiobook narrator Jorjeana Marie does a beautiful job with Mattie's thoughtfulness, and distinguishes other characters' voices easily.

See also: Chance to Fly by Ali Stroker and Stacy Davidowitz ( )

A star student falls for the lead actress of her school play amidst the intricate social pressures of middle school, unleashing a heart-warming, comical tale of secret crushes, and fierce rivalries. Perfect for the middle grade. LGBTQ bookshelf.

children's middlegrade fiction, LGBTQ interest (13 y.o. girl thinks she might like another girl, doesn't know what to do/whom she can talk to but eventually finds that her friends and family are supportive).
This is a pretty sweet story that might help kids get through some confusing times and confusing feelings in their life, with a little added Shakespeare geekery thrown in. ( )