Reviewed by Allison Fraclose for TeensReadToo.com
At 12, nearly 13, June Cantrell, nicknamed "Junebug," seems to be doing everything in her parents' playhouse, The Blue Moon, except what she really wants.
Between supplying sound effects, acting as Prop Mistress, and being the gofer for all of the summer stock actors, all Junebug really dreams of is getting on stage and saying a few lines herself. Until then, she has to settle for being the very best Thunder she can be, and imagine what her life might be like if it really went "how she sees it."
This summer's season, however, pushes Junebug a bit too far. Her mother has moved out and gone back to the family farmhouse, and Junebug has no idea if it has to do with her father's new leading lady or not. Junebug's dad has been running himself ragged, taking on more of the leading roles than he usually does, and Junebug's older sister, Stella, can only complain about the measly roles she does have, when all Junebug craves is to just HAVE a role.
What's worse is the new apprentice her father has taken on, a 12-year-old boy with an annoying stutter and a strange habit of spitting out random facts about theater history that Junebug doesn't care to know. Although her father has asked that Junebug help him along and show the new boy what to do, Junebug can't help but suspect that she is, in fact, training her replacement, and that soon she'll be even more invisible than she was before.
Junebug has always believed that the show must go on, but now, she has no way of knowing which way the show will go, or what part she will play - that of hero, or villain.
As one well experienced in summer stock theater, the author brings to life the familial workings of this intimate band of characters. Junebug's plight, emotions, and reactions make her a very real, easy heroine to connect with. Also, I appreciate the way that the reader is introduced to select plays and theatrical concepts without being inundated with boring details, and the material is presented in a way that makes it interesting and easily understandable.
At 12, nearly 13, June Cantrell, nicknamed "Junebug," seems to be doing everything in her parents' playhouse, The Blue Moon, except what she really wants.
Between supplying sound effects, acting as Prop Mistress, and being the gofer for all of the summer stock actors, all Junebug really dreams of is getting on stage and saying a few lines herself. Until then, she has to settle for being the very best Thunder she can be, and imagine what her life might be like if it really went "how she sees it."
This summer's season, however, pushes Junebug a bit too far. Her mother has moved out and gone back to the family farmhouse, and Junebug has no idea if it has to do with her father's new leading lady or not. Junebug's dad has been running himself ragged, taking on more of the leading roles than he usually does, and Junebug's older sister, Stella, can only complain about the measly roles she does have, when all Junebug craves is to just HAVE a role.
What's worse is the new apprentice her father has taken on, a 12-year-old boy with an annoying stutter and a strange habit of spitting out random facts about theater history that Junebug doesn't care to know. Although her father has asked that Junebug help him along and show the new boy what to do, Junebug can't help but suspect that she is, in fact, training her replacement, and that soon she'll be even more invisible than she was before.
Junebug has always believed that the show must go on, but now, she has no way of knowing which way the show will go, or what part she will play - that of hero, or villain.
As one well experienced in summer stock theater, the author brings to life the familial workings of this intimate band of characters. Junebug's plight, emotions, and reactions make her a very real, easy heroine to connect with. Also, I appreciate the way that the reader is introduced to select plays and theatrical concepts without being inundated with boring details, and the material is presented in a way that makes it interesting and easily understandable.
