Drama by Raina Telgemeier

Drama
Author: Raina Telgemeier
Publisher: Scholastic Inc.
Pages: 240
Audience: Grades 4-7
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Review Copy: Digital ARC from NetGalley
Release Date: September 1, 2012


Description from Goodreads: Callie loves theater. And while she would totally try out for her middle school's production of Moon Over Mississippi, she's a terrible singer. Instead she's the set designer for the stage crew, and this year she's determined to create a set worthy of Broadway on a middle-school budget. But how can she, when she doesn't know much about carpentry, ticket sales are down, and the crew members are having trouble working together? Not to mention the onstage AND offstage drama that occurs once the actors are chosen, and when two cute brothers enter the picture, things get even crazier! Following the success of SMILE, Raina Telgemeier brings us another graphic novel featuring a diverse set of characters that humorously explores friendship, crushes, and all-around drama!


Review: This graphic novel lives up to its title very well. There is drama just oozing throughout the pages. Between the middle-school play, an annoying little brother, deadlines, gossip, romance, broken relationships, and strained friendships, there is more than enough drama to go around for everyone. Callie is an endearing character who has an infectious passion for the theater. She also tends to fall for any young man who looks her way. She is single-minded about the play, but a little more mixed up in her personal life. 


Watching Callie muddle through her relationships can be almost painful at times, but she had me rooting for her all the way. Raina Telgemeier plunges readers straight into the drama that surrounds adolescence and provides plenty of laughs along the way. This is one more sure success for Telgemeier.