The Musical

March 1, 2009
Grades 4-6 In her tenth misadventure, the irrepressible Babymouse tries out for the school musical, encouraged by new transfer student Henry Higgins, a British hedgehog. Of course, the popular girl, Felicia, wins the title role, and Babymouse has to settle for being her understudy with practically no hope of ever really being onstage. Yes, Babymouse does have a couple of major problems as an actress: she cant keep the stage directions straight, and she trips over her own feet. As rehearsals go on, readers are treated to snippets of many great Broadway musicals (including My Fair Lady, Grease, The Phantom of the Opera, Annie, and more) as Babymouse daydreams during classes. Drawn with the usual black, white, and pink inks, this book will have readers laughing with, and wincing in sympathy for, Babymouse (particularly in PE, when she always gets hit during dodgeball). Another winning installment for the series fans.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2009, American Library Association.)