A Midsummer Tights Dream

After discovering her talent for comedy at the end of Withering Tights (rev. 9/11), Tallulah is starting her first term as a permanent student in performing arts college at Dother Hall. There are some constants in Lullah’s life: her "nobbly" knees, her Tree Sister friends, the Dobbinses (her crazy surrogate family), quirky teachers and townies, the harsh Yorkshire moor weather, and her lofty showbiz aspirations. However, other things are changing; for example, her "corkers" are finally growing, and she’s trying to dress fashionably and apply some "Northern grit" to increase her confidence about snogging, boys, and acting. Also -- and more worrisome -- Dother Hall is in financial trouble and may have to close. No worries -- Lullah and her mates face the problem head-on with their usual brand of pluck. The story line is rather thin: Rennison is more concerned with character development, and she’s at her best expressing Lullah’s naiveté and confusion about the state of her relationships with three different boys. It wouldn’t be a Rennison book without plenty of humor, self-deprecation, and literary and musical references (and as usual, kudos to any American who can parse all of the Brit-slang, if not, there’s a handy glossary). There’s also more of Lullah’s Irish dancing (this time dressed in "hairy tights and Mickey Mouse ears" and doing "an Irish donkey ‘enchantment’ dance" while playing Bottom in A Midsummer Night’s Dream). Lullah’s adoring fans will not be disappointed by this entertaining ride on "the showbiz express." cynthia k. ritter

Tallulah (Withering Tights) is starting performing arts college at Dother Hall. While there are some constants in her life, other things are changing. Also, Dother Hall is in financial trouble, but Lullah and her plucky mates face the problem head-on. With plenty of humor, self-deprecation, and literary and musical references, Lullah's fans won't be disappointed by this entertaining ride.