Shannon in the Spotlight by Kalena Miller

Those who survive to graduate become major or minor characters in fairy tales. A natural-born performer despite her initial apprehension, she finds being on stage exciting and fulfilling, offering readers a positive role model for living with mental illness.Ĭhainani works an elaborate sea change akin to Gregory Maguire’s Wicked (1995), though he leaves the waters muddied.Įvery four years, two children, one regarded as particularly nice and the other particularly nasty, are snatched from the village of Gavaldon by the shadowy School Master to attend the divided titular school. The book thoughtfully portrays Shannon as having agency in handling her OCD symptoms they affect her life without controlling it. Shannon’s therapist suggests they try some exposure therapy activities, and there’s this new boy at the theater who’s pretty cute-Micah, who reads Black. What’s more, following a house fire, Shannon’s maternal grandmother is temporarily moving in, and she’s quite the abrasive personality, often criticizing Shannon’s mom’s parenting, particularly how she handles Shannon’s OCD. Now Elise is ignoring her, and Fatima’s so busy backstage she has no time to talk.

One whirlwind song later, she’s cast as Brigitta von Trapp, the role Elise desperately wanted in this year’s show, The Sound of Music.

Shannon, who is cued White like Elise, describes herself as a hardcore techie, happy to stay out of sight focusing on costumes and props, but when the director overhears her singing, he insists she audition. Egyptian American hijabi Fatima is devoted to working behind the scenes, while performer Elise loves the spotlight. Shannon Carter looks forward to summers, when she and her two best friends take part in the local youth theater’s annual musical. A 12-year-old girl navigates OCD and rocky friendships while discovering her theatrical talents.

Shannon in the Spotlight by Kalena Miller