Mr. Wayne's Masterpiece

May 12, 2014
In Polacco’s world, children confront fears and solve problems with the help of loving adults, their exchanges captured with exceptional powers of observation; in this story, she recalls overcoming a paralyzing fear of speaking in public. Young Patricia has memorized the entire school play, and she’s comfortable in her role as prompter, but when the lead actress moves away, someone must step in. “Patricia, you have to, you just have to,” the cast members plead. Horrified at the thought, she allows herself to be coached by the charismatic theater teacher, Mr. Wayne: “Patricia, let the play take you.” Polacco (Thank You, Mr. Falker) draws herself tormented by anxiety on opening night, gasping in the wings, then, miraculously, letting the play take her: “I was Musette, and the more I said, the easier it got.” Readers will feel the exhilaration of the standing ovation she receives and the warmth of Mr. Wayne’s praise: “Tonight, you’re my masterpiece.” Saddle shoes, stick-out skirts, and her English teacher’s brush cut all contribute to the period setting. Even the shyest readers may find themselves inspired. Ages 5–8.

July 1, 2014

Gr 3-6-Polacco has done it again! She has taken a personal story from her past and turned it into a lesson for us all. In the process, she has praised another teacher, but in this case, it's two teachers. Polacco describes her favorite English teacher, Mr. Tranchina, who asked her to share an essay with the class. She was so terrified that she couldn't utter a single word. That very day Mr. T. conferred with the drama teacher, Mr. Wayne, and Patricia was invited to help with the winter play. She had no interest whatsoever in playing a role, but in the process of participating in the acting exercises, she began to get used to emoting a tiny bit. At the same time, she listened in on all the rehearsals while painting scenery and soon found that she knew every line in the play. A week before the first performance, the lead and her family suddenly moved away. The only one who could fill the role was Patricia-she knew the lines, and she knew the stage directions. What she didn't know was how to get the "dust and sand" out of her throat enough to say the lines. Mr. Wayne's advice to "Let the play take you" and his unshakable faith in her ability gave her the courage to step out from behind the curtain. Polacco's realistic, vibrant illustrations convey a range of emotions, especially her own, which vary from utter terror to extreme exuberance. She credits Mr. Wayne with enabling her to now speak to audiences of hundreds, sometimes thousands of people.-Maggie Chase, Boise State University, ID

Copyright 2014 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

June 1, 2014
The terrible fear of speaking in public in front of others-no words will come out, no terror like it-is given passionate form in Polacco's latest, based, as her books often are, on an event from her own life.The Patricia of the story is the author herself as a girl, who loves to read and write but is reduced to quivering silence when asked even to read aloud. Her beloved English teacher sends her to the drama teacher, Mr. Wayne, where she takes refuge in painting scenery and listening to every word of dialogue and stage direction. Soon she is acting as prompter, as she holds the entire play in her head. When the girl playing the lead suddenly moves away without a word to anyone at the school, everyone knows only Patricia has all the words. Mr. Wayne gives Patricia the tools she needs on stage: breathe, move, "let the play take you." And she does! The last page tells how Polacco's Mr. Wayne helped her overcome her deep shyness, allowing her now to speak to many with joy and energy. Her usual pencil-and-marker-patterned dots, flowers and stripes adorn the exuberantly dramatized figures of teachers, students and heroine.Like Polacco's Thank You, Mr. Falker (1998) and others, an inspiring tale made all the more so by its roots in life. (Picture book. 7-10)

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July 1, 2014
Grades 1-3 In her latest semiautobiographical picture book, Polacco deftly explores her childhood fear of public speaking. When her English teacher asks Patricia to read an essay in front of the class, she begins to shake and feels like she has gulped handfuls of sand. She is more comfortable behind the scenes, and while working on the set design for the school play, she inadvertently memorizes every line. When the lead abruptly moves out of town, everyone looks to Patricia to take her place. With the support of her drama teacher, Mr. Wayne, she agrees to take on the role, overcomes her stage fright, and confidently shines during the play. Realistic pencil-and-marker illustrations across double-page spreads capture young Patricia's utter vulnerability, as well as her transformative performance at the story's end. Early elementary readers will relate to the self-doubt Polacco expresses, and they will also find vicarious comfort through her supportive relationships with teachers, as well as her ultimate triumph over fear.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2014, American Library Association.)