It's time for...
Every 1st Wednesday of the month, writers get together to express fears, concerns, and offer hope as well as encouragement or whatever else their hearts desire. This group was birthed by the amazing Alex J. Cavanaugh and has grown into a thriving, broad community with tons of possibilities. Check it out here!
I especially excited to join in with these co-hosts this month: Victoria Marie Lees, Mary Aalgaard, and Sandra Cox
I love this month's questions, so I'm going to just flow with it:
What do you consider the best characteristics of your favorite genre?
I'm warping this a bit and adding a 's' to make it genres because I'm a broad-minded, reading girl. I do tend, however, to steer in two main directions: imagination and fact. That seems a little juxtaposed, perhaps, but I love it when it's one way or the other.
I enjoy getting lost in the fun of letting imagination take flight with all of its possibilities in the realms of fantasy, paranormal, and science fiction. Give me even a slight twist, and I'm satisfied.
Or...feed me facts! There's so much to learn and discover in non-fiction or even historically based reads. I do not like the in between realm of contemporary/drama/romance/life-tales with their heavy emotions. I live real life. I don't need to be reminded of it. So, my reads need to let me surge beyond everyday possibilities or go into the nit-and-gritty details of the how, when and why.
(Lol. And after adding today's read below, I realized how easy it is to put my foot in my mouth. (the key word was favorite in the question. Favorite. Got to love life!)
What about you? What captures your heart with your favorite genre?
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Now, on to today's read! This month, I'm concentrating on 'Octoberly' reads...but I have some other directions in between, too. Today's read just so happens to steer out of the spooky & monster-ly stream and heads into humorous fun. Actually, when I read that this one is about a girl trying to rescue a play called 'Spinderella', it had my curiosity churning. What is Spinderella? A spindle twist? A spinning twist? (The last sounds dizzi-ing).
Let's find out!
NOT STARRING ZADIE LOUISE
by Joy McCullough
Atheneum Books
Middle Grade Contemporary
256 pages
ages 8 to 12
In this charming middle grade novel that’s perfect for fans of Tim Federle and Gordon Korman, Zadie is determined to spend the summer helping at the community theater—but things go hilariously awry!
Zadie loves Tae Kwon Do, comic books, and outer space. She also loves visiting the community theater that her mom runs, especially the lighting grid over the stage and the stage manager’s booth, which is filled with levers and buttons like a spaceship control panel. So when the family’s finances suffer a blow and Zadie has to give up her usual activities to spend the summer at the theater, she doesn’t mind too much. After all, she’s always wanted to tech a show.
She knows she’d be great at it, but her mom and the new stage manager are totally opposed to the idea of having a kid do tech. Instead, Zadie’s stuck handing out snacks and folding flyers. But the future of the theater rides on this show, and Zadie is determined to help. She’s going to make Spinderella the hit of the season—unless she accidentally turns it into a disaster.
Zadie loves Tae Kwon Do, comic books, and outer space. She also loves visiting the community theater that her mom runs, especially the lighting grid over the stage and the stage manager’s booth, which is filled with levers and buttons like a spaceship control panel. So when the family’s finances suffer a blow and Zadie has to give up her usual activities to spend the summer at the theater, she doesn’t mind too much. After all, she’s always wanted to tech a show.
She knows she’d be great at it, but her mom and the new stage manager are totally opposed to the idea of having a kid do tech. Instead, Zadie’s stuck handing out snacks and folding flyers. But the future of the theater rides on this show, and Zadie is determined to help. She’s going to make Spinderella the hit of the season—unless she accidentally turns it into a disaster.
MY TIDBITS
Bobbing from one ridiculous or tough situation to the next, this is a character, who packs more than just a little personality and spunk.
Zadie's summer is ruined, not that she can really complain too much...it'd be wrong considering the tough financial situation her family is stuck in. Still, she not only has to give up her favorite activities, but her mother is determined to have Zadie in her play. Luckily, Zadie doesn't even glisten a tiny touch of talent at try-outs, but her dreams of working with the tech instead sink just as quick as she almost plummets to her death from the lighting grid above. Stuck as a stage assistant, she's doomed to stupid tasks, but that doesn't mean Zadie's going to give up on making the show shine.
Theater fans will enjoy the setting and all the wonderful details that go with life on the stage, and not necessarily from the acting end. Zadie is involved with all sorts of side tasks, which does give interesting glimpses into everything involved in creating a show. These are trickled in with tons of humor, drama and fun because where Zadie is involved, nothing is ever boring.
While there are situations concerning family, friends, and determination to make something work, humor makes this tale flow. Much of these come from Zadie's own bad choices or mistakes, which create over-the-top moments and guarantee snickers and snorts. Plus, Zadie tends to rattle on in all directions thanks to her bubbly personality.
It's a cute read for those who enjoy drama mixed in with more than a few silly moments.
