FICTION

Shai & Emmie Star in Break an Egg!

by Quvenzhané WALLIS
with Nancy Ohlin. Shai & Emmie Star in Break an Egg! illus. by Sharee Miller. 128p. S. & S. Oct. 2017. Tr $15.99. ISBN 9781481458825.
COPY ISBN
Gr 1–3—A lighthearted series starter about an aspiring child actress, cowritten by award-winning actress Wallis. Shai is a third grader at a performing arts school in Atlanta, who learns about patience and empathy when new girl Gabby arrives in her class from Hollywood, CA. With her best friend Emmie, Shai helps Gabby fit in and open up, even overcoming her own jealousy when Gabby is cast in a school play role Shai wanted for herself. This is a mild and pleasant tale of relationship ups and downs, with the bonus of a fun musical theater theme. Without becoming preachy, Shai models healthy attitudes and behaviors. The depiction of her loving, African American, middle-class family and diverse group of classmates is welcome.
VERDICT A good choice for readers who enjoy character development more than action.
Reviewed by Heidi Rabinowitz, Congregation B'nai Israel, Boca Raton,FL
With Nancy Ohlin. Best friends Shai (who's African American) and Emmie (white) audition for [cf2]Once on This Island[cf1], the third-grade musical at their Atlanta performing-arts school. Shai's dreams of stardom are threatened when a new girl from Hollywood goes for the lead. Co-written by teenage actor Wallis, the story is rather pat, but aspiring actors will be drawn to this new series; grayscale illustrations provide visual breaks.
 , Aug 01, 2017

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