About This Book
Reach for this book when your middle schooler is navigating the complex social hierarchies of extracurricular clubs, experiencing their first unrequited crush, or starting to ask questions about identity and orientation. It is a perfect choice for the child who feels more comfortable behind the scenes than in the spotlight, or for anyone who needs to see that middle school friendships can be messy but ultimately resilient. Following Callie, a determined set designer, the story balances the technical challenges of building a stage cannon with the emotional hurdles of growing up. It touches on themes of teamwork, creative problem-solving, and the discovery of one's own identity as well as the identities of friends. Parents will appreciate how it treats middle school romance and LGBTQ+ themes with a light, age-appropriate touch, focusing on the sincerity of young feelings rather than adult complexities.
