Ketchum, Liza. The Life Fantastic: A Novel in Three Acts. 256p. Adams Media/Merit. Jan. 2017. Tr $17.99. ISBN 9781440598760.

Gr 7-10 –Vaudeville in the early 1900s makes for a thought-provoking setting for a tale of racial discrimination with direct parallels to today’s issues. Teresa, a white girl with a golden voice, yearns to be on stage, as her parents were in their youth. Her parents, however, think otherwise. Her father declares that the theater is no place for a woman, but Teresa secretly defies him, sings in a talent competition, and runs away to New York City to pursue a performing career. Unfortunately, her younger brother, Pascal, stows away on the train, too, forcing Teresa not only to navigate the big city but also to provide for him. Another performer, Maeve, takes both siblings under her wing, as does the tap dancer Pietro. Teresa’s understanding of the inequality and discrimination faced by people of color in and out of show business solidifies when her relationship with Pietro, who is black, threatens them both. The novel’s sections, interspersed with passages written as lyrics and in a play-script style, don’t always feel well integrated. Yes, the book is set on the vaudeville stage, but here the plot and characters are strong enough to carry that theme through without the distracting narrative devices. VERDICT Historical fiction, racial discrimination, a budding love story, and youthful characters make this a fine additional purchase for libraries with a large historical fiction fan base.–Lisa Ehrle, Falcon Creek Middle School, CO

Petroff, Shani. Romeo and What’s Her Name. 224p. ebook available. Feiwel & Friends/Swoon Reads. Feb. 2017. pap. $9.99. ISBN 9781250111142.

Gr 7-10 –Emily has been pining for Wes Rosenthal for as long as she can remember. Finally, her moment arrives when she discovers that Wes has broken up with his longtime girlfriend, Leora. As Emily strategizes about how to get Wes to notice her, Amanda, the most popular girl in school and Emily’s nemesis, breaks up with her boyfriend to pursue Wes, too. On top of that, Emily has been cast as Amanda’s understudy in their high school’s newest Shakespeare production, and Wes is the lead. Now both girls are vying for his attention, and neither is willing to give up. As Emily struggles to learn Shakespearean lines, run errands for the ever-demanding Amanda, and find ways to capture Wes’s attention, she begins to wonder if any of her efforts will pay off. Then circumstances land her a role in the most romantic scene from Romeo and Juliet, playing opposite her crush. Will this be the way to win Wes’s heart? Petroff’s latest offering, published by Macmillan’s crowdsourced imprint, will delight romance lovers with its fast pace and humorous tone. VERDICT This sweet, lighthearted look at high school romantic foibles will be of particular interest to fans of books by Ann Brashares and Jennifer Echols.–Tabitha Nordby, Red River College, Manitoba

Storm, Tallia Pop Girl. 320p. Scholastic. Dec. 2016. pap. $9.99. ISBN 9781338113822.

Gr 6-9 –Storm, 13, loves to sing, and she knows with certainty that she is made for the stage. After a scheduled family vacation interferes with an opportunity for Storm to sing a solo on national radio, she becomes the most morose person ever to board a plane to Hawaii. However, a chance encounter leads her to a recording studio just outside her family’s hotel, where a Hawaiian band is missing its flaky lead singer. Storm steps in to record vocals, but later, when one of the recordings receives radio play, she is given no credit for her contribution. Furious, she vents her frustration to a well-dressed man in the hotel elevator, impulsively gives him the recordings, and unwittingly launches her career as a pop singer. This title is a light but highly readable indulgence of an attractive fantasy to many young girls: being “discovered” and rising instantly to pop stardom. Interestingly, the author writes from personal experience. She is a Scottish pop star who was discovered at age 13 by Elton John. Yet unlike the author, the main character is not the daughter of parents who are already famous in their own right. Storm also struggles with self-centered thinking and tendencies, which may annoy readers seeking a more likable protagonist. Still, Storm’s self-absorption is not without (mild) consequences, and the underlying themes of empathy and generosity may prompt readers to examine their own behavior. VERDICT Fans of Rachel Renée Russell’s “Dork Diaries” series will enjoy this light pop fantasy immensely and will look forward to the implied sequel.–Sara White, Seminole County Public Library, Casselberry, FL