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Casting April
Not yet published
Expected 16 Jun 26Twelve-year-old April is a spectacular actress and is determined to land the starring role in the school play but no one believes she can do it because of her tracheostomy tube—a heartwarming story of friendship, identity, and the importance of chasing your dreams.
Sixth grader April Xue lives and breathes all things Broadway. When she builds up the courage to audition for the lead role in the school play, she thinks she's knocked it out of the park — until she finds out that she's been assigned to the stage crew. April is devastated—it seems like the curtain is closing on her dream of being an actor.
A day later, April overhears that the theater director, Ms. Rooney, decided not to cast her because she's disabled. With the help of her best friend, a sneaky student reporter, and her spirited castmates, April learns to confront her own insecurities as a performer and proves to everyone (including Ms. Rooney) that she deserves a fair shot — all in time for opening night.
Sixth grader April Xue lives and breathes all things Broadway. When she builds up the courage to audition for the lead role in the school play, she thinks she's knocked it out of the park — until she finds out that she's been assigned to the stage crew. April is devastated—it seems like the curtain is closing on her dream of being an actor.
A day later, April overhears that the theater director, Ms. Rooney, decided not to cast her because she's disabled. With the help of her best friend, a sneaky student reporter, and her spirited castmates, April learns to confront her own insecurities as a performer and proves to everyone (including Ms. Rooney) that she deserves a fair shot — all in time for opening night.
288 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication June 16, 2026
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Review of advance copy received from Publisher
A joyful, big-hearted, curtain-raising triumph that’s impossible not to root for. Wendy Lu crafts an unforgettable heroine in April Xue, whose love for theater shines brighter than any spotlight—and whose journey captures both the sting of being underestimated and the thrill of stepping up anyway. With warmth, wit, and empathy, the story explores friendship, self-confidence, and fighting for your place when the world tries to sideline you. A love letter to kids who dare to dream big and demand to be seen—sure to be an instant and timeless classic.
Displaying 1 of 1 review