Playing Juliet

October 12, 2015
In Wetzel's Shakespeare-laced debut, superstitious 12-year-old Beth Sondquist aspires to become an actressâand specifically to play the part of Juliet. Beth has been smitten with the theater for years, but her career at the Oakfield Children's Theater nearly comes to an end when she fills in for a sick Duchess in a production of Cinderella! and overplays the part. Fortunately, Beth is liked and trusted at this professionally equipped theater; unfortunately, she responds impulsively when she hears about the new owner's plans to close the theater. Roping in best friend Zandy and 14-year-old stage manager Austin in her efforts to prevent its demise, Beth may lose the chance to participate in the theater's final production when she shoulders the blame for their daring actions. Beth's overly mature narration and the sudden introduction of modern technology (after early references to calling collect and late-night phone calls waking parents, Beth and co. start emailing and texting midway in) occasionally strain an otherwise well-plotted novel with credible characters and numerous details about children's theatrical productions. Ages 8â12. Agent: Sara Sciuto, Fuse Literary.

September 15, 2015
When you are a (nearly) teenage aspiring actress, sometimes it feels like "all the world's a stage," but Beth Sondquist's favorite stage is about to be repossessed. For 12 1/2-year-old Beth, acting at Oakfield Children's Theater is her entire life. Though primarily cast in small roles, she dreams of someday playing Shakespeare's most famous teen heroine: Juliet. But after eavesdropping on a conversation with the theater's new owner, Beth learns that the 50-year-old children's theater is to be converted into an adult performance space. To save her stage, Beth must help prove that children's theater is more than mere playtime. For Wetzel, the theater serves as both muse and pulpit from which she fights the notion that children (and their theatrical pursuits) are less serious than grown-ups. Although some characters fit into conventional types, the novel effectively captures the cadence and essence of preteen-speak and the intense, hyperbolic feeling of life onstage, when flubbing a line or missing an entrance is as catastrophic as being grounded. While Beth's zeal for theater rings true, however, at times her incessant demonstration of theater knowledge feels less organic than it should. Beth's adventures drive the narrative, but often she is upstaged by theater itself, which feels like the real star of the show. An earnest and creditable effort that will resonate with thespians both young and old. (Fiction. 8-12)

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November 1, 2015

Gr 4-6-In this charming story featuring a relatable narrator and action-driven plot, Beth dreams of one day playing the female lead in Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. Trouble looms, however, when Beth's beloved children's theater threatens to close. While undoubtably appealing to any child looking to learn more about the theater in general, the book also offers a thorough immersion into the world of children's theater. The emotional core of the story comes from Beth's relationships with her best friend and her parents. The friendships portrayed are realistic and not overly dramatic. While Beth occasionally seems wise beyond her years, her concerns and fears feel real. Her superstitions surrounding the theater are relatable and provide an opportunity for Wetzel to discuss the history of theater. Additionally, family issues, such as Beth's desire to please her parents and Beth's friend's experience of divorce and shared parenting, are portrayed authentically and will resonate with many readers. The epigraphs at the start of each chapter provide unique opportunities for foreshadowing. This feature both drives the plot forward and draws readers in. An explanation of the epigraphs at the book's conclusion allows deeper understanding of these literary devices and enriches the text even further. VERDICT A solid story with surprising emotion, this novel is sure to appeal to theater lovers and neophytes alike.-Lauren Lancaster, Crafton Public Library, Pittsburgh, PA

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