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Take It from the Top
Set at a camp over the course of six summers, this novel dives into the falling-out of two girls from different backgrounds who thought they'd be friends forever.
Eowyn Becker has waited all year to attend her sixth summer at Lamplighter Lake Summer Camp. Here, she’s not in the shadow of her Broadway-star older brother; she’s a stellar performer in her own right. Here, the pain of her mom’s death can’t reach her, and she gets to reunite with her best friend, Jules Marrigan—the only person in the world who understands her.
But when she gets to camp, everything seems wrong. The best-friend reunion Eowyn had been dreaming of doesn’t go as planned. Jules will barely even look at Eowyn, let alone talk to her, and Eowyn has no idea why.
Well, maybe she does…
There are two sides to every story, and if you want to understand this one, you’ll need to hear both. Told in a series of alternating chapters that dip back to past summers, the girls’ story will soon reveal how Eowyn and Jules went from being best friends to fierce foils. Can they mend ways before the curtains close on what was supposed to be the best summer of their lives?
Eowyn Becker has waited all year to attend her sixth summer at Lamplighter Lake Summer Camp. Here, she’s not in the shadow of her Broadway-star older brother; she’s a stellar performer in her own right. Here, the pain of her mom’s death can’t reach her, and she gets to reunite with her best friend, Jules Marrigan—the only person in the world who understands her.
But when she gets to camp, everything seems wrong. The best-friend reunion Eowyn had been dreaming of doesn’t go as planned. Jules will barely even look at Eowyn, let alone talk to her, and Eowyn has no idea why.
Well, maybe she does…
There are two sides to every story, and if you want to understand this one, you’ll need to hear both. Told in a series of alternating chapters that dip back to past summers, the girls’ story will soon reveal how Eowyn and Jules went from being best friends to fierce foils. Can they mend ways before the curtains close on what was supposed to be the best summer of their lives?
256 pages, Hardcover
First published November 19, 2024
21 people are currently reading
3695 people want to read
About the author
Claire Swinarski
12 books571 followersClaire Swinarski is the author of multiple books for both kids and adults. Her writing has been featured in The Washington Post, Seventeen, Milwaukee Magazine, and many other publications. She lives in small town Wisconsin with her husband and three kids, where she writes books, wears babies, and wrangles bread dough. You can follow her on Instagram @claireswinarski.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 118 reviews
October 2, 2024
I absolutely loved this story! Eowyn and Jules are both wonderful and wonderfully-crafted characters. I wish I could be friends with both of them…and still I found myself ready to smack both of them at various points throughout the story (okay, so I was a little invested). Like all of Claire Swinarksi's books, character development takes center stage, but Take it from the Top also brings the setting to life in such a tangible way. I could practically feel the stage makeup tickling my nose and imagine the chilly lake and cozy cabins of summer camp (and that says a lot considering I never went to summer camp).
This is an obvious pick for the theater lovers in your life. What might not be as obvious from the description is how much Take it from the Top is a book about families—how they form us, how they hurt us, how they heal us, how they make us who we are and how who we are is not defined by them. The friendship between Jules and Eowyn is the central relationship in the story, but the entire plot revolves around how their two respective families and family situations create a conflict that Jules and Eowyn have to work to overcome. Perhaps this reminds you a little of a very famous play? Maybe the name Jules was chosen as a subtle nod? While these very normal American families may be no Capulets and Montagues with ill blood between them, Take it from the Top presents a more (to my mind) interesting and relevant inter-family dynamic: can our backgrounds be so different that true understanding is impossible? Of course the answer is no…but it is also: it might be difficult. And that's okay. Because so many of the things worth putting our time into in life are difficult. Like family. And friendship. And singing on stage in front of hundreds of people.
As usual, a note to parents on whether this book is right for your child. Here are few topics and themes I'll discuss with my children either before, during, or after they read Take it from the Top:
-death of a parent and how it affects a family
-a couple cases of characters taking God's name in vain (my children are very sensitive to this)
-a lot of crushes… The main characters are 13, and my 13-year-old has absolutely no interest in crushes. :) For that reason, I'll probably give it to my older daughters first. I love that the boy-girl relationships are always innocent—the relationship between Eowyn and her crush is particularly very sweet, but I would discuss with my kids that she sneaks out of her cabin to talk to him at night several times… I know, I know, kids do this. But I'm a mom of teens and my child safety detector is on high alert.
-some of the songs and musicals mentioned are more mature than what I let my 13-year-olds view, so I'll be giving them a heads up before they start searching Youtube…
This is an obvious pick for the theater lovers in your life. What might not be as obvious from the description is how much Take it from the Top is a book about families—how they form us, how they hurt us, how they heal us, how they make us who we are and how who we are is not defined by them. The friendship between Jules and Eowyn is the central relationship in the story, but the entire plot revolves around how their two respective families and family situations create a conflict that Jules and Eowyn have to work to overcome. Perhaps this reminds you a little of a very famous play? Maybe the name Jules was chosen as a subtle nod? While these very normal American families may be no Capulets and Montagues with ill blood between them, Take it from the Top presents a more (to my mind) interesting and relevant inter-family dynamic: can our backgrounds be so different that true understanding is impossible? Of course the answer is no…but it is also: it might be difficult. And that's okay. Because so many of the things worth putting our time into in life are difficult. Like family. And friendship. And singing on stage in front of hundreds of people.
As usual, a note to parents on whether this book is right for your child. Here are few topics and themes I'll discuss with my children either before, during, or after they read Take it from the Top:
-death of a parent and how it affects a family
-a couple cases of characters taking God's name in vain (my children are very sensitive to this)
-a lot of crushes… The main characters are 13, and my 13-year-old has absolutely no interest in crushes. :) For that reason, I'll probably give it to my older daughters first. I love that the boy-girl relationships are always innocent—the relationship between Eowyn and her crush is particularly very sweet, but I would discuss with my kids that she sneaks out of her cabin to talk to him at night several times… I know, I know, kids do this. But I'm a mom of teens and my child safety detector is on high alert.
-some of the songs and musicals mentioned are more mature than what I let my 13-year-olds view, so I'll be giving them a heads up before they start searching Youtube…
November 29, 2024
Claire Swinarski writes books that feel absolutely custom made for me. In this story, we meet two musical theater loving teens who live for their summers at theater camp and share a dream of playing Glinda and Elphaba in Wicked. That is, until the summer that Wicked is actually scheduled to be on the main stage and new eruptions of jealousy and insecurity threaten everything.
But in this story, nothing feels contrived. These are real teenage realizations and emotions coming to the surface. Swinarski’s characters always think and act like the teenagers I know and the teenager I remember being. She lets her characters explore the contours of real grief, embarrassment, young love, fears, and hurt feelings and she even lets them be a little corny. As our main characters says: “It’s as gloriously corny as it sounds, your humanity and your grief.”
I hope people find this book because of its connection to the Wicked movie (or even the nod to a Taylor Swift-esque pop star!), and end up finding way more than they bargained for. I’ll admit I was drawn to her books because they were set in Wisconsin but I found books that spoke directly to my experience both as a mom of a teenager and as a former teenager. I love reading her books and I love handing them directly to my teen daughter because I know she shares the same hopes and heartaches as the characters in these books.
I was especially in love with the final chapter, when Swinarski recognizes the parents in the audience as former dreamers themselves, acknowledging that “sometimes real life requires hanging up your costume… earlier than you would have liked” even as you support the dreams your kids are now dreaming. Read this. Buy it for your theater-loving kids and read it together. It’s perfection.
But in this story, nothing feels contrived. These are real teenage realizations and emotions coming to the surface. Swinarski’s characters always think and act like the teenagers I know and the teenager I remember being. She lets her characters explore the contours of real grief, embarrassment, young love, fears, and hurt feelings and she even lets them be a little corny. As our main characters says: “It’s as gloriously corny as it sounds, your humanity and your grief.”
I hope people find this book because of its connection to the Wicked movie (or even the nod to a Taylor Swift-esque pop star!), and end up finding way more than they bargained for. I’ll admit I was drawn to her books because they were set in Wisconsin but I found books that spoke directly to my experience both as a mom of a teenager and as a former teenager. I love reading her books and I love handing them directly to my teen daughter because I know she shares the same hopes and heartaches as the characters in these books.
I was especially in love with the final chapter, when Swinarski recognizes the parents in the audience as former dreamers themselves, acknowledging that “sometimes real life requires hanging up your costume… earlier than you would have liked” even as you support the dreams your kids are now dreaming. Read this. Buy it for your theater-loving kids and read it together. It’s perfection.
November 23, 2024
Make that 4.5 stars. I love a well written middle grade book. Oh the drama! In the book and with the girls. It was just the right amount and Claire touched on so many things - the complexity of friendship, grief, death of a parent, anxiety, counseling and love. It just all, worked. Brava for another great one.
January 9, 2025
I loved the musical theater premise and all the references, and "let's just say I [didn't] loathe" what the main show turned out to be. The back and forth timeline was interesting, and it added a bit of mystery to the plot. I liked how it switched perspectives between Eowyn and Jules because it made you root for both of them, and at least for me there was no clear person who was more "right," which was refreshing. Both girls made mistakes and there was a lot of very accurate middle school miscommunication. Add the fact that it was a quick read, and I'm hoping I'll be able to sell it to my middle school readers!
May 29, 2025
Overall I really enjoyed this. I thought the depictions of friendships in middle school and grief were realistic and I liked that we also got to see the previews camp years to really see how Jules and Eowyn were best friends. I was glad that the book acknowledges that Jules was being a jerk even if the reasons why she was mad at Eowyn were understandable because I kept getting so frustrated that Jules would say certain things to her KNOWING that her mom is dead and KNOWING that her dad always ignores her.
Now for some picky critiques because if you're going to write a book about musical theater then I will scrutinize. It's clear that the author does really love theater but I'm sorry, no self respecting theater girlie, ESPECIALLY ONE WHO HAD A MOM AND HAS A BROTHER ON BROADWAY, would call a cast recording a soundtrack. This isn't the first book to do this and it won't be the last and I'm SICK of this shit. If your character is obsessed with theater then they know to call it a cast recording full stop.
The fact that Eowyn's brother, someone who shot up to fame Hamilton style, had agents and publicists all tell him the next big move would be to make a pop album is....WILD!!! Yes, theater people do put out albums but they aren't like topping any charts and no one besides people who already know those actors really care. Like Leslie Odom Jr. has albums out but everyone still equates him with theater. Idk I just thought that was such a weird plot lol.
Now for some picky critiques because if you're going to write a book about musical theater then I will scrutinize. It's clear that the author does really love theater but I'm sorry, no self respecting theater girlie, ESPECIALLY ONE WHO HAD A MOM AND HAS A BROTHER ON BROADWAY, would call a cast recording a soundtrack. This isn't the first book to do this and it won't be the last and I'm SICK of this shit. If your character is obsessed with theater then they know to call it a cast recording full stop.
The fact that Eowyn's brother, someone who shot up to fame Hamilton style, had agents and publicists all tell him the next big move would be to make a pop album is....WILD!!! Yes, theater people do put out albums but they aren't like topping any charts and no one besides people who already know those actors really care. Like Leslie Odom Jr. has albums out but everyone still equates him with theater. Idk I just thought that was such a weird plot lol.
December 13, 2024
Great! My (theater/camp obsessed) daughter is going to love this one (she’s a big fan of Rachel Riley, too!). Love the summer camp angle and the two main characters. I wish Eowyn’s smartphone at camp wasn’t a thing…that’s my only gripe w this book.
November 30, 2024
An absolute must-read, at any age. Admittedly I was not a theater kid and worried I wouldn’t understand the book. Au contraire! This book was about friendship, and set at a summer camp where you could smell the northwoods air and hear the loons calling out over the lake.
As a longtime lover of Wicked, I could hear the songs in the background as they practiced and loved every minute. My only complaint is that it had to end. I loved this book and just wanted more! Bravo, Claire!
As a longtime lover of Wicked, I could hear the songs in the background as they practiced and loved every minute. My only complaint is that it had to end. I loved this book and just wanted more! Bravo, Claire!
May 3, 2025
This book was a good quick read, and I like these kinds of books were they're pretty casual. Still think that this book was OK.
November 29, 2024
Loved this middle grade novel set at a musical theater summer camp. Jules and Eowyn are flawed and loveable.
December 7, 2024
Exactly what I am looking for in this “everything in my life is Wicked” moment. Perfect for musical theater loving 4-7th graders looking for a quick, heartfelt read with backstage friendship drama.
November 21, 2024
4.5, rounded up since I’m an adult reading a middle grade book. And it is a sweet middle grades read without being saccharine - also perfect prep for going to see Wicked! The Rachel Riley Easter egg made me smile.
October 31, 2024
Take It From The Top by Claire Swinarski is about best friends Eowyn and Jules attending their sixth summer of Broadway Camp at Lamplighter Lake Summer Camp. However, when Eowyn arrives, everything seems to go wrong, including her friendship with Jules. Told from the perspective of both girls, things aren't always what they seem.
I'd like to thank NetGalley for the Advanced Readers Copy ARC of this Young Adult (YA) novel, which I received for free in exchange for my honest review. Not having read any of the author's previous works, I wasn't sure what to expect, but I have to say I am impressed.
The story switches back and forth between the present and past as well as switching from Eowyn's and Jules' perspectives giving the reader an insight to how each girl feels. I loved being able to see the perspective of each girl because they both had very valid points. One of the biggest lessons in Take It From The Top is that the grass isn't always greener on the other side . . . each girl was envious of the others family and life. Additionally, it taught that people from different backgrounds could be friends.
I never went away to a sleepaway camp as a kid, and this story made me wish I had that experience. However, if I had, I'd probably would have been too homesick to enjoy it.
Take It From The Top by Claire Swinarski is a great coming of age story perfect for kids between the ages of 8 and 12, especially those who are fans of broadway plays, singing, and acting. Five out of five stars is what I gave this book.
I'd like to thank NetGalley for the Advanced Readers Copy ARC of this Young Adult (YA) novel, which I received for free in exchange for my honest review. Not having read any of the author's previous works, I wasn't sure what to expect, but I have to say I am impressed.
The story switches back and forth between the present and past as well as switching from Eowyn's and Jules' perspectives giving the reader an insight to how each girl feels. I loved being able to see the perspective of each girl because they both had very valid points. One of the biggest lessons in Take It From The Top is that the grass isn't always greener on the other side . . . each girl was envious of the others family and life. Additionally, it taught that people from different backgrounds could be friends.
I never went away to a sleepaway camp as a kid, and this story made me wish I had that experience. However, if I had, I'd probably would have been too homesick to enjoy it.
Take It From The Top by Claire Swinarski is a great coming of age story perfect for kids between the ages of 8 and 12, especially those who are fans of broadway plays, singing, and acting. Five out of five stars is what I gave this book.
April 29, 2025
I have officially added Claire Swinarski to my top middle-grade authors-- next to Rebecca Stead, Stacy McAnulty, and Jennifer Holm. Swinkarski slips into a tough space to fill, writing stories for 7th and 8th graders. Take It from the Top hits the sweet spot between middle and high school, making it a perfect read for tweens.
Jules and Eowyn are realistic, believable thirteen-year-olds. (Although kids going into 9th grade are usually fourteen, so that's confusing.) Their inner feelings and conversations are on point for teens and the conflict between the girls isn't nonsensical, which can easily happen in middle-grade and YA books.
Featuring Wicked as the camp show was also a solid choice. This will be one of my top recommendations from now on.
Jules and Eowyn are realistic, believable thirteen-year-olds. (Although kids going into 9th grade are usually fourteen, so that's confusing.) Their inner feelings and conversations are on point for teens and the conflict between the girls isn't nonsensical, which can easily happen in middle-grade and YA books.
Featuring Wicked as the camp show was also a solid choice. This will be one of my top recommendations from now on.
December 10, 2024
This was so cute and fun! A musical theater camp honestly sounds like bliss. I know teenaged friendship drama so well - don't we all! - so this definitely landed well with me. The confusion, the reveal, the anger, the sense of betrayal, the grief over a lost friend, all against the backdrop of rehearsals and show tunes! What's not to love. Great YA read and intro to Claire Swinarski's work - congrats to her on this newest title!
November 8, 2025
A great middle grade read about theater camp with lots of drama, in every sense of the word. It deals with themes of grief, friendship, and family as well as class and privileged but in a real-world accessible way that doesn't feel preachy or like part of a political agenda. Two girls from very different backgrounds go from best friends to worst enemies, but can they work their way back again? It's always easier to see the flaws of others and the privileges they have, but it can be less easy to see the struggles they face and the pain they feel. Will the girls let envy and misunderstanding destroy their close friendship forever, or will they do some growing up and hard work to keep it alive despite the challenges?
March 12, 2025
A super sweet and realistic friendship story set at a theater summer camp.
March 26, 2025
i’m giving it 5 stars cause it hurt a little (a lot)
February 28, 2025
Cute little middle grade read. Perf if you’re still on a “Wicked” kick.
January 12, 2025
Great story about middle school friendships and musical theater 😊
November 2, 2024
Eowyn and her best friend Jules have always dreamed of heading to Broadway together, becoming stars, and especially starring in Wicked together. But this summer, something is different. Jules won't talk to Eowyn, and Eowyn's developing stage fright is getting worse and worse. And yet, now the whole camp is putting on a performance of their dream musical and the girls have to work past their history to keep their dreams of the future alive.
This book is a love letter to drama camps, and it made me wish for a time machine so I could go back and attend one. I did relate very strongly to Eowyn's longing for her mother and Jules's longing for a more financially stable life. Swinarski has a way of developing characters that it makes it easy for the reader to empathize with both sides of the conflict at the same time. It was so sweet and emotional, that I had a hard time putting it down. I would recommend this for sure!
Thank you to Netgalley and HarperCollins Children's Books for providing this ARC for review!
This book is a love letter to drama camps, and it made me wish for a time machine so I could go back and attend one. I did relate very strongly to Eowyn's longing for her mother and Jules's longing for a more financially stable life. Swinarski has a way of developing characters that it makes it easy for the reader to empathize with both sides of the conflict at the same time. It was so sweet and emotional, that I had a hard time putting it down. I would recommend this for sure!
Thank you to Netgalley and HarperCollins Children's Books for providing this ARC for review!
November 3, 2024
Thanks to NetGalley for an eARC! This was my first Claire Swinarski novel and I really enjoyed it! I loved the summer camp vibes (I would live at summer camp if I could) and how she very accurately portrayed how friends can truly misunderstand each other’s circumstances. The ending was satisfying. I liked the time hopping and the dual POV and it was done in a way that was easy to follow so I was never lost. The musical theater stuff was fun, even though I’m not a musical theater person. Definitely not a requirement to enjoy this book!
November 22, 2024
3.5 rounded up!
Take It From the Top is told in dual point of view from (ex?) best friends, Jules and Eowyn. They have very different home lives and struggles and they envy each other’s perceived privileges (money or family). It felt realistic to what middle graders are actually dealing with. I was glad we got to see both sides of the story as it was building up to what happened last summer. Unfortunately, it felt a bit underdeveloped. There were a lot of different plot lines as it was told throughout 6 summers but they didn’t all have resolutions in the end and some of the ideas were mentioned once and never revisited. I hated all of the adults in this book and I especially hated that we didn’t get to see an Eva/Eowyn bond develop.
Overall, it was a good middle grade read about different summers at theater camp but I wish we would have gotten less plot lines or more chapters to really round it out.
*thanks to NetGalley for the E-Arc of this one!
Take It From the Top is told in dual point of view from (ex?) best friends, Jules and Eowyn. They have very different home lives and struggles and they envy each other’s perceived privileges (money or family). It felt realistic to what middle graders are actually dealing with. I was glad we got to see both sides of the story as it was building up to what happened last summer. Unfortunately, it felt a bit underdeveloped. There were a lot of different plot lines as it was told throughout 6 summers but they didn’t all have resolutions in the end and some of the ideas were mentioned once and never revisited. I hated all of the adults in this book and I especially hated that we didn’t get to see an Eva/Eowyn bond develop.
Overall, it was a good middle grade read about different summers at theater camp but I wish we would have gotten less plot lines or more chapters to really round it out.
*thanks to NetGalley for the E-Arc of this one!
November 20, 2024
The adults in this book are really awful. It’s a theater summer camp everyone just needs to take a breath and relax. Really this book would have benefited from a less is more approach. Too many subplots and issues and not all of them get resolved.
August 26, 2024
I received a free eARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I literally could not hit the request button quickly enough on this one - summer camp? Best friends? Musical theater? Sign. Me. Up. And it veers less into romantic territory than Bye Forever, I Guess did (which was my one and only quibble with that delightful book). I’ve never read any of Swinarski’s other stuff, but I really enjoyed this. It’s one I would have loved to share with my students and fellow musical nerds.
The story mostly takes place during “the sixth summer,” aka, the sixth summer best friends Eowyn and Jules are attending Lamplighter Lake, a musical theatre summer camp. Eowyn has always looked forward to seeing Jules in person during camp, but something has been off this year. They haven’t been having their weekly video chats, and Jules barely responds to any of her texts. But of course, there are two sides to the story, and in the flashback chapters from summers past, we hear from Jules.
I really liked this as a framing device. Each girl feels like she’s in the right and the other is in the wrong, AND each girl feels like the other just has a perfect life. And unlike mysteries where it’s annoying as hell that characters don’t have actual conversations with each other, here it tracks. Like yes, all of their problems could be solved if they could have a civil conversation. But they’re teenagers! Their emotions are on overdrive (plus they’re musical theatre nerds, which puts those emotions on a whole other level) and every time they try to talk, one of them ends up yelling at the other and saying something true but hurtful. It’s how teenagers roll.
So Eowyn’s deal is *kind of* the typical “poor little rich girl” story. Her mother was a famous Broadway actress, and her father’s a doctor who invented some kind of breathing machine, so her family is loaded. But her mother died when Eowyn was eight (cancer - it’s mentioned only briefly, when Eowyn basically says “It happened, it’s sad, but that’s not what this story is about.” I respect the move), and now that Eowyn’s brother is also a famous, Tony winning, Broadway actor himself, both he and her father have less time for her. Sure it’s great that her father pays for all of her lessons, and sends a private car to take her to camp, but wouldn’t it be nice if he took her himself? Or maybe came home for dinner once in a while? I mean, it definitely smacks of rich people problems, but it doesn’t make it any less hard for Eowyn to deal with.
Meanwhile, Jules comes from a bigger family (three sisters), and her parents don’t make that much money. Her dad is out of work and basically just perpetually “looking for jobs”, and her mother owns a hair salon. She lives in a tiny apartment and the only reason she can even go to Lamplighter is because she gets a scholarship. She sees Eowyn’s life as perfect, while Eowyn thinks Jules is the one who has it made, with her two super supportive parents.
As the story progresses, both girls keep digging in their heels about who is in the wrong, and through flashbacks, we see how they first became friends, and all of the little bumps along the way (I’ll say, Jules is kind of a jerk in the sixth summer, but Eowyn is kinda clueless the entire time about how privileged she is). But they’re going to have to learn to work together, because they’ve been cast as Galinda and Elphaba in the mainstage production of Wicked. Eowyn’s been suffering from terrible stage fright ever since a few summers before, when she was Little Red in Into the Woods and kinda blew it (she looked out at the audience and realized that neither her dad nor her brother had shown up because they were too busy). She’s been too in her own head ever since. She also has sort of a complex that anything she gets is because she’s Nick Becker’s little sister, not because she’s actually talented. While Jules is unquestionably talented, even though she doesn’t have all of Eowyn’s fancy training.
Looking back at their previous summers, sometimes it’s hard to tell why they ever became friends in the first place! Eowyn is just clueless about her own privilege, and Jules is remarkably tolerant of it, I guess. But I like that we get to hear both sides of the story, and that, as the song goes “there’s blame to share.” (Although I confess to being a tiny bit more on Jules’s side!)
I literally could not hit the request button quickly enough on this one - summer camp? Best friends? Musical theater? Sign. Me. Up. And it veers less into romantic territory than Bye Forever, I Guess did (which was my one and only quibble with that delightful book). I’ve never read any of Swinarski’s other stuff, but I really enjoyed this. It’s one I would have loved to share with my students and fellow musical nerds.
The story mostly takes place during “the sixth summer,” aka, the sixth summer best friends Eowyn and Jules are attending Lamplighter Lake, a musical theatre summer camp. Eowyn has always looked forward to seeing Jules in person during camp, but something has been off this year. They haven’t been having their weekly video chats, and Jules barely responds to any of her texts. But of course, there are two sides to the story, and in the flashback chapters from summers past, we hear from Jules.
I really liked this as a framing device. Each girl feels like she’s in the right and the other is in the wrong, AND each girl feels like the other just has a perfect life. And unlike mysteries where it’s annoying as hell that characters don’t have actual conversations with each other, here it tracks. Like yes, all of their problems could be solved if they could have a civil conversation. But they’re teenagers! Their emotions are on overdrive (plus they’re musical theatre nerds, which puts those emotions on a whole other level) and every time they try to talk, one of them ends up yelling at the other and saying something true but hurtful. It’s how teenagers roll.
So Eowyn’s deal is *kind of* the typical “poor little rich girl” story. Her mother was a famous Broadway actress, and her father’s a doctor who invented some kind of breathing machine, so her family is loaded. But her mother died when Eowyn was eight (cancer - it’s mentioned only briefly, when Eowyn basically says “It happened, it’s sad, but that’s not what this story is about.” I respect the move), and now that Eowyn’s brother is also a famous, Tony winning, Broadway actor himself, both he and her father have less time for her. Sure it’s great that her father pays for all of her lessons, and sends a private car to take her to camp, but wouldn’t it be nice if he took her himself? Or maybe came home for dinner once in a while? I mean, it definitely smacks of rich people problems, but it doesn’t make it any less hard for Eowyn to deal with.
Meanwhile, Jules comes from a bigger family (three sisters), and her parents don’t make that much money. Her dad is out of work and basically just perpetually “looking for jobs”, and her mother owns a hair salon. She lives in a tiny apartment and the only reason she can even go to Lamplighter is because she gets a scholarship. She sees Eowyn’s life as perfect, while Eowyn thinks Jules is the one who has it made, with her two super supportive parents.
As the story progresses, both girls keep digging in their heels about who is in the wrong, and through flashbacks, we see how they first became friends, and all of the little bumps along the way (I’ll say, Jules is kind of a jerk in the sixth summer, but Eowyn is kinda clueless the entire time about how privileged she is). But they’re going to have to learn to work together, because they’ve been cast as Galinda and Elphaba in the mainstage production of Wicked. Eowyn’s been suffering from terrible stage fright ever since a few summers before, when she was Little Red in Into the Woods and kinda blew it (she looked out at the audience and realized that neither her dad nor her brother had shown up because they were too busy). She’s been too in her own head ever since. She also has sort of a complex that anything she gets is because she’s Nick Becker’s little sister, not because she’s actually talented. While Jules is unquestionably talented, even though she doesn’t have all of Eowyn’s fancy training.
Looking back at their previous summers, sometimes it’s hard to tell why they ever became friends in the first place! Eowyn is just clueless about her own privilege, and Jules is remarkably tolerant of it, I guess. But I like that we get to hear both sides of the story, and that, as the song goes “there’s blame to share.” (Although I confess to being a tiny bit more on Jules’s side!)
November 22, 2024
“This. This is where we belong.”
Told over the course of six summers spent at a summer camp called Lamplighter Lake, Eowyn Becker and her best friend, Jules Marrigan, experience a reunion gone wrong. While Eowyn’s successful Broadway-star older brother often overshadows her, Jules is the only person who’s seen her as more. Others may attribute Eowyn’s interest in theater to her famous mother and brother, but Jules has always seen her clearly. For this reason, when their best friend reunion doesn’t go as Eowyn planned and Jules barely looks at her, let alone interacts with her, Eowyn is left more confused than anything else. The situation is only made more tense as they’re both cast as the leads Glinda and Elphaba in the camp’s production of Wicked. Told in alternating perspectives, Take It from the Top is, at its core, a story about friendship.
Take It from the Top is a heartwarming story about growing up and fighting for friendships. While the summer camp setting was fun and fresh, the character development in this novel undoubtedly stole the show. I appreciated that rather than just centering on a simple miscommunication, the story explores how family situations and circumstances can create a rift in relationships. Even as someone who was never really into theater, I could still feel the nostalgia this book might evoke among readers who remember their own theater performances or summer camp days. This book is truly a love letter to theater kids and made me feel comforted in a way I didn’t know was possible considering I couldn’t personally relate to that aspect. Take It from the Top is a story worth young readers' time as it deals with conflict related to family, friendship and other themes that are extremely fitting and relevant to young teenager’s lives. On a more syntactic note, I enjoyed the manner in which the story is told. While the alternating timeline between a ‘then’ and ‘now’ situation is often overdone and somewhat unnecessary, I felt that it was fitting for properly fleshing out the story and the characters. I’d recommend Take It from the Top to anyone looking for a short, easy read about the complexities of family and friendship—and, of course, anyone who enjoys theater! It’s an especially perfect read for readers patiently awaiting the release of the new Wicked movie!
Pine Reads Review would like to thank SparkPoint Studio and Quill Tree Books for sending us an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Any quotes are taken from an advanced copy and may be subject to change before final publication.
Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and Facebook @pinereadsreview, and check out our website at www.pinereadsreview.com for reviews, author interviews, blogs, podcast episodes, and more!
Told over the course of six summers spent at a summer camp called Lamplighter Lake, Eowyn Becker and her best friend, Jules Marrigan, experience a reunion gone wrong. While Eowyn’s successful Broadway-star older brother often overshadows her, Jules is the only person who’s seen her as more. Others may attribute Eowyn’s interest in theater to her famous mother and brother, but Jules has always seen her clearly. For this reason, when their best friend reunion doesn’t go as Eowyn planned and Jules barely looks at her, let alone interacts with her, Eowyn is left more confused than anything else. The situation is only made more tense as they’re both cast as the leads Glinda and Elphaba in the camp’s production of Wicked. Told in alternating perspectives, Take It from the Top is, at its core, a story about friendship.
Take It from the Top is a heartwarming story about growing up and fighting for friendships. While the summer camp setting was fun and fresh, the character development in this novel undoubtedly stole the show. I appreciated that rather than just centering on a simple miscommunication, the story explores how family situations and circumstances can create a rift in relationships. Even as someone who was never really into theater, I could still feel the nostalgia this book might evoke among readers who remember their own theater performances or summer camp days. This book is truly a love letter to theater kids and made me feel comforted in a way I didn’t know was possible considering I couldn’t personally relate to that aspect. Take It from the Top is a story worth young readers' time as it deals with conflict related to family, friendship and other themes that are extremely fitting and relevant to young teenager’s lives. On a more syntactic note, I enjoyed the manner in which the story is told. While the alternating timeline between a ‘then’ and ‘now’ situation is often overdone and somewhat unnecessary, I felt that it was fitting for properly fleshing out the story and the characters. I’d recommend Take It from the Top to anyone looking for a short, easy read about the complexities of family and friendship—and, of course, anyone who enjoys theater! It’s an especially perfect read for readers patiently awaiting the release of the new Wicked movie!
Pine Reads Review would like to thank SparkPoint Studio and Quill Tree Books for sending us an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Any quotes are taken from an advanced copy and may be subject to change before final publication.
Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and Facebook @pinereadsreview, and check out our website at www.pinereadsreview.com for reviews, author interviews, blogs, podcast episodes, and more!
November 6, 2024
Take It From the Top spans across six summers at camp, told through flashbacks from present day— their sixth year— to previous summers spent together. At one time the girls shared a really strong bond, they even dreamed of performing Wicked on Broadway together one day. The flashbacks reveal how their friendship evolved and how the current rift developed between them. How Jules' experiences during the times between camp were very different than Eowyn's. Jules family is struggling financially and getting the money for camp has been a huge strain.
Meanwhile Eowyn comes from a place of privilege, her dad is a doctor, her brother is a famous actor, and she's able to take private lessons. What is missed in this equation is that both girls think that the others life is so much better than their own. Eowyn is envious of Jules' extended family, how her parents are always present at her shows. Just once she would like her dad to make an effort to come. She feels quite alone and misses her mom.
Jules is upset because she was told by one of the instructors that she'll have to work twice as hard as Eowyn to prove herself because things will just be handed to Eowyn. She resents having to work so hard to find ways around her family's money problems to get her headshots, to have proper name brand clothing and to improve her singing without lessons. I felt like Eowyn seemed to be trying harder to reach out to Jules and make amends. It was difficult because she's also slightly clueless to her privilege which is worsened when she lets the source of Jules' scholarship slip.
The story made for a really good summertime read; it had the whole summer camp vibe going for it, minus all the pranks that are usually associated with being at camp. It's perfect for fans of the theater, musicals or acting with lots of references to Wicked. Which is especially timely given that the movie will be coming out soon.
There are demanding teachers and kids doing something that they feel passionate about. I think kids will relate to the feeling of wanting to be successful, receive praise and recognition. Both Eowyn and Jules were searching for a moment in the limelight and a chance for that opening role. While also balancing their hurt feelings and trying to not let it overwhelm all their senses. Their friendship was complex and yes messy but eventually they learned how to let go of the hurt and began to see the good moments that they previously shared. Overall, a really fun story with lots of theater kid appeal.
** A huge thank you to SparkPoint Studio for the E- ARC in exchange for an honest review**
Meanwhile Eowyn comes from a place of privilege, her dad is a doctor, her brother is a famous actor, and she's able to take private lessons. What is missed in this equation is that both girls think that the others life is so much better than their own. Eowyn is envious of Jules' extended family, how her parents are always present at her shows. Just once she would like her dad to make an effort to come. She feels quite alone and misses her mom.
Jules is upset because she was told by one of the instructors that she'll have to work twice as hard as Eowyn to prove herself because things will just be handed to Eowyn. She resents having to work so hard to find ways around her family's money problems to get her headshots, to have proper name brand clothing and to improve her singing without lessons. I felt like Eowyn seemed to be trying harder to reach out to Jules and make amends. It was difficult because she's also slightly clueless to her privilege which is worsened when she lets the source of Jules' scholarship slip.
The story made for a really good summertime read; it had the whole summer camp vibe going for it, minus all the pranks that are usually associated with being at camp. It's perfect for fans of the theater, musicals or acting with lots of references to Wicked. Which is especially timely given that the movie will be coming out soon.
There are demanding teachers and kids doing something that they feel passionate about. I think kids will relate to the feeling of wanting to be successful, receive praise and recognition. Both Eowyn and Jules were searching for a moment in the limelight and a chance for that opening role. While also balancing their hurt feelings and trying to not let it overwhelm all their senses. Their friendship was complex and yes messy but eventually they learned how to let go of the hurt and began to see the good moments that they previously shared. Overall, a really fun story with lots of theater kid appeal.
** A huge thank you to SparkPoint Studio for the E- ARC in exchange for an honest review**
May 5, 2025
I found myself quite underwhelmed by this piece of work, and it raised some questions about originality. The themes presented, such as the protagonist dealing with a dead mother, losing a friend, and grappling with the challenges of coming from a wealthy, famous family, are so prevalent in literature that they feel almost clichéd. The main character, in particular, came across as whiny and overwhelmingly entitled, which made it difficult to connect with her struggles on any meaningful level.
When her friend Jules decides to leave her, instead of showing a moment of self-reflection or growth, she merely complains to her other friends at camp, which further emphasizes her immaturity. Meanwhile, Eowyn, the protagonist, behaves as if her brother and father will simply comply with her every demand, displaying a level of privilege that is frustrating. Her actions toward others are mean-spirited and often unkind, contributing to an overall distaste for her character.
Jules, the friend who ultimately walks away, seemed to have a clearer understanding of their friendship dynamic, noting that Eowyn was treating her more like a charity case than an equal friend. Unfortunately, in many ways, she was right; Eowyn's entitlement and inability to recognize her own privilege made her difficult to empathize with.
The adults in this story also left much to be desired. Considering the backdrop of an incredibly expensive summer camp, one would expect a more refined and supportive environment, yet the adults came off as completely inadequate figures. Their handling of the camp dynamics seemed shallow and lacking in depth, which only added to the sense of disconnection.
Additionally, the camp’s name, Lamplighter Lake Camp, struck me as quite peculiar. It's not every day that you come across a five-syllable, three-word name for a summer camp! It feels almost forced and doesn't roll off the tongue easily. The various camp activities, meant to be adventurous and engaging, often felt contrived and, if I'm honest, not amusing in a good way, leading to an overall experience that lacked authenticity. This book could have benefited from deeper character development and a more original storyline.
When her friend Jules decides to leave her, instead of showing a moment of self-reflection or growth, she merely complains to her other friends at camp, which further emphasizes her immaturity. Meanwhile, Eowyn, the protagonist, behaves as if her brother and father will simply comply with her every demand, displaying a level of privilege that is frustrating. Her actions toward others are mean-spirited and often unkind, contributing to an overall distaste for her character.
Jules, the friend who ultimately walks away, seemed to have a clearer understanding of their friendship dynamic, noting that Eowyn was treating her more like a charity case than an equal friend. Unfortunately, in many ways, she was right; Eowyn's entitlement and inability to recognize her own privilege made her difficult to empathize with.
The adults in this story also left much to be desired. Considering the backdrop of an incredibly expensive summer camp, one would expect a more refined and supportive environment, yet the adults came off as completely inadequate figures. Their handling of the camp dynamics seemed shallow and lacking in depth, which only added to the sense of disconnection.
Additionally, the camp’s name, Lamplighter Lake Camp, struck me as quite peculiar. It's not every day that you come across a five-syllable, three-word name for a summer camp! It feels almost forced and doesn't roll off the tongue easily. The various camp activities, meant to be adventurous and engaging, often felt contrived and, if I'm honest, not amusing in a good way, leading to an overall experience that lacked authenticity. This book could have benefited from deeper character development and a more original storyline.
February 5, 2025
This was recommended by a librarian for fans of Wicked. I didn't get a lot of Wicked fandom satisfaction from this, but overall I liked it.
The best thing about this book is that it sets up a very believable conflict between two girls who were the best of friends but have a big falling out.
The worst part of this book is that this conflict is solved too easily after some really hurtful stuff went down. I suppose this is realistic, but I found it a little disappointing.
Even though this is a relatively light story for ages 10-14, I thought it touched on some deeper themes that I find really interesting. The story explores different kinds of privilege. Eowyn's family has money but her mother died and her father is too busy to give Eowyn much attention. Jules's family is working class but very loving and involved in her life. The girls have trouble empathizing with each other because each is jealous of the other and believes that she has it worse. This is one of the big themes of modern American life: Who is truly privileged and who is truly oppressed? If you were weighing Eowyn's and Jules's troubles on a scale, who wins/loses the privilege/pain contest?
In the end, of course, empathy wins the day and we see that friends sometimes have to reckon with jealousy and resentment, especially when it comes to things we can't control (like how much money or attention we get from our parents).
The Glinda and Elphaba of it all is there, but not in an especially clever or deep way. The dynamic between Glinda and Elphaba is enemies to BFFs whereas with Eowyn and Jules it's BFFs to enemies, so the story arc is completely different.
The best thing about this book is that it sets up a very believable conflict between two girls who were the best of friends but have a big falling out.
The worst part of this book is that this conflict is solved too easily after some really hurtful stuff went down. I suppose this is realistic, but I found it a little disappointing.
Even though this is a relatively light story for ages 10-14, I thought it touched on some deeper themes that I find really interesting. The story explores different kinds of privilege. Eowyn's family has money but her mother died and her father is too busy to give Eowyn much attention. Jules's family is working class but very loving and involved in her life. The girls have trouble empathizing with each other because each is jealous of the other and believes that she has it worse. This is one of the big themes of modern American life: Who is truly privileged and who is truly oppressed? If you were weighing Eowyn's and Jules's troubles on a scale, who wins/loses the privilege/pain contest?
In the end, of course, empathy wins the day and we see that friends sometimes have to reckon with jealousy and resentment, especially when it comes to things we can't control (like how much money or attention we get from our parents).
The Glinda and Elphaba of it all is there, but not in an especially clever or deep way. The dynamic between Glinda and Elphaba is enemies to BFFs whereas with Eowyn and Jules it's BFFs to enemies, so the story arc is completely different.
November 13, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley, author Claire Swinarski, and Harper Collins Children's Books: QuillTree Books for providing me with a free ARC in exchange for my honest opinion!
Yay, another middle grade home run from Claire Swinarski!! I was thrilled to see her previous book, What Happened to Rachel Riley?, on the Texas Lonestar List for this year, as I really enjoyed it. I was so excited to read another work by her, especially one set at a musical theatre camp, as that is right up my alley. Take It from the Top definitely delivered and was the perfect palate cleanser for this current slump that I am slowly getting out of. I thought Jules and Eowyn were both interesting characters, and I thought the format of storytelling over the course of several summers worked well. I don't know if I particularly loved the first-person perspective by Eowyn and then third-person by Jules (I think it would have worked better both one form or the other), but I felt that Swinarski did a great job of making them both nuanced characters. The setting of the camp was absolutely perfect, and if you were even slightly interested in theater at any point, you will know how true this book rings! It was perfectly paced for a middle grade read and definitely on the sweeter side. I loved seeing the complications of middle school friendship portrayed, and there was so much in both girls I was able to identify with personally. I look forward to future work from this author, as she has really impressed me with her MG catalog!
Yay, another middle grade home run from Claire Swinarski!! I was thrilled to see her previous book, What Happened to Rachel Riley?, on the Texas Lonestar List for this year, as I really enjoyed it. I was so excited to read another work by her, especially one set at a musical theatre camp, as that is right up my alley. Take It from the Top definitely delivered and was the perfect palate cleanser for this current slump that I am slowly getting out of. I thought Jules and Eowyn were both interesting characters, and I thought the format of storytelling over the course of several summers worked well. I don't know if I particularly loved the first-person perspective by Eowyn and then third-person by Jules (I think it would have worked better both one form or the other), but I felt that Swinarski did a great job of making them both nuanced characters. The setting of the camp was absolutely perfect, and if you were even slightly interested in theater at any point, you will know how true this book rings! It was perfectly paced for a middle grade read and definitely on the sweeter side. I loved seeing the complications of middle school friendship portrayed, and there was so much in both girls I was able to identify with personally. I look forward to future work from this author, as she has really impressed me with her MG catalog!
July 20, 2024
I am thankful to have gotten the eARC for free from Netgalley and Harper Collins so I can leave my voluntary and honest review.
This was a middle grade read about a theatre summer came. Both topics being in my wheel house! Despite it being for middle schoolers the book was delightful for an adult! I definitely was older Middle grade and while it was 100% clean, it had young YA vibes as the characters seemed a little older than their stated ages. But then again, theatre kids in that situation do tend to act older in real life.
I think any kid who likes musical theatre will love this book with all the Mat references. It’s an early coming of age type of story where the MC needs to learn to deal with her grief, difficult friendships as well as privilege. It’s handled simply but very nicely.
This would make a great summer reading book for rising 6th and 7th graders. It provides a lot of entertainment with lessons along the way that they may not even realize they are learning.
My rating system for Middle Grade and children’s books
⭐️ Significant problems and would never recommend to the audience.
⭐️⭐️ Had a lot of trouble, prose issues, really not my cup of tea but may have some appeal.
⭐️⭐️⭐️ an ok book which I wouldn’t go out of my way to recommend but there was nothing significantly wrong with it.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Really enjoyed it! Would recommend to others
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Outstanding! Would recommend highly, especially to school programs.
This was a middle grade read about a theatre summer came. Both topics being in my wheel house! Despite it being for middle schoolers the book was delightful for an adult! I definitely was older Middle grade and while it was 100% clean, it had young YA vibes as the characters seemed a little older than their stated ages. But then again, theatre kids in that situation do tend to act older in real life.
I think any kid who likes musical theatre will love this book with all the Mat references. It’s an early coming of age type of story where the MC needs to learn to deal with her grief, difficult friendships as well as privilege. It’s handled simply but very nicely.
This would make a great summer reading book for rising 6th and 7th graders. It provides a lot of entertainment with lessons along the way that they may not even realize they are learning.
My rating system for Middle Grade and children’s books
⭐️ Significant problems and would never recommend to the audience.
⭐️⭐️ Had a lot of trouble, prose issues, really not my cup of tea but may have some appeal.
⭐️⭐️⭐️ an ok book which I wouldn’t go out of my way to recommend but there was nothing significantly wrong with it.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Really enjoyed it! Would recommend to others
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Outstanding! Would recommend highly, especially to school programs.
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