My Life

May 1, 2008
Gr 7 Up-Wood uses musical theater as a framework for a larger theme: the rich fantasy life of teens. She explores the difference between reality and fantasy as Phillip and Emily become consumed with a smash hit, "Aurora", and try to solve the industry secret of who wrote it. The teens make their way from Long Island to Broadway each weekend to see the show. Phillip comes from a poor background with a shady big brother and a mostly absent single mother. He has found solace in watching "Aurora" with Emily and with keeping a log of statistics on the show. Emily, whose quirky grandmother pays for the tickets each week, is so immersed in the life of "Aurora" and its surrounding Web sites that she is unable to think of anything else. In desperation, after discovering that the show will be closing, she lies to her parents as to her whereabouts and steals money from her grandmother so that she and Philllip can attend every one of the remaining performances. Upon being found out, Emily is sent to have spiritual counseling. She explains the allure of the show to Rabbi Levin and he tells her, "It's what we do, who we are right now that defines us. Not our memories, not our fantasiesbut this moment, now." Emily, Phillip, Grandma Rose, and the author of "Aurora" all discover that the actions they perform in their everyday lives are what are truly important. Teens will enjoy the fast pace and humor in this uplifting novel."Terrilyn Fleming, Colby Public Schools, KS"

Copyright 2008 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.