What do you think?
Casting April
Twelve-year-old April is a talented performer who 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.
Audible Audio
First published June 16, 2026
About the author
Wendy Lu
1 book65 followersWendy Lu is a journalist, a children’s book author, and a global speaker on disability representation in the media. For years, she has worked as an editor and a reporter covering disability, politics, and culture. Her work has appeared in The New York Times, HuffPost, Teen Vogue, Refinery29, and more. She was named on Forbes’s 30 Under 30 for her efforts to improve disability coverage. Wendy is also the author of “Casting April,” a contemporary middle-grade novel from Penguin Random House about a talented disabled girl who loves all things Broadway — and who would do anything for the spotlight. She is represented by Abigail Frank at Greenburger Kids. Wendy lives in New York with her husband, Andrew, and their turtle, Little Cloud.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
August 29, 2026
This book is absolutely sublime! This is such a good disability representation, such a good way to show readers that people can be not kind to people and kids with disabilities. And that being called brave is not the compliment people think it is.
April is a character you root for, she’s is passionated, relatable and adorable. Through her eyes we read how she experiences the world, the ableism, the discrimination, the adults who want to protect her, but hurt her in the proces. It’s been written so good and so strong!
This book has a special place in my heart 🥺💛
April is a character you root for, she’s is passionated, relatable and adorable. Through her eyes we read how she experiences the world, the ableism, the discrimination, the adults who want to protect her, but hurt her in the proces. It’s been written so good and so strong!
This book has a special place in my heart 🥺💛
June 17, 2026
A wonderfully AMAZING #ownvoices middle grade debut that follows 12 year old April who wants nothing more than to act on Broadway and when she finally finds the courage to apply for her school play, she ends up assigned to the set crew all because she has a trach and her voice is different from everyone else's.
I loved how relatable April was (as a woman whose had a trach since childhood) -- the author does a fabulous job putting reader's in April's shoes and showing how she just wants equal treatment, doesn't want to be told she's brave merely for existing and REALLY doesn't want to be infantilized.
Top notch disability rep, this was great on audio too and I think it’s the first book I've read with a main character who has a trach!! Will be raving about this to everyone, especially fans of books like Maya plays the part!
⚠️CW: ableism, bilateral vocal cord paralysis
I loved how relatable April was (as a woman whose had a trach since childhood) -- the author does a fabulous job putting reader's in April's shoes and showing how she just wants equal treatment, doesn't want to be told she's brave merely for existing and REALLY doesn't want to be infantilized.
Top notch disability rep, this was great on audio too and I think it’s the first book I've read with a main character who has a trach!! Will be raving about this to everyone, especially fans of books like Maya plays the part!
⚠️CW: ableism, bilateral vocal cord paralysis
August 4, 2026
I absolutely loved this (and this is coming from a woman in her 30s) - the characters feel so real and earnest and I shed literal tears at parts of this as I was engulfed by the story and the emotions.
May 9, 2026
Disability representation, the Asian diaspora, and musical theatre all in one book? Sign me up! I’m so glad I spotted this through the Get Underlined Program because it led me to reading the complimentary audiobook from PRH Audio in immersion with a gifted copy from RH Kids.
This is such a wonderful debut from Wendy Lu. Even without knowing anything about her personally, you can feel the passion and lived experience woven throughout the story. Books written from a place of genuine understanding always stand out, and the experiences of these characters felt incredibly authentic as the story unfolded.
This book captures living with a disability so well, not only showing the day-to-day realities and emotions for the individual, but also the complicated reactions and responses from the people around them. Nothing is presented as black and white, which made it feel all the more realistic. I also really loved how immersed the reader becomes in the Asian culture throughout the story. I learned quite a bit along the way without ever feeling like I was being “taught.” The information flowed naturally through the plot and character interactions.
I do think this skews toward the younger end of the middle grade age range, both in the prose and in the narration by Sunny Lu (who I don’t believe is related to the author). I struggled a bit with the narration at first because some of the phrasing felt unusual to me, and there wasn’t a ton of differentiation between the characters, especially the kids versus the adults, which made it feel even younger overall. She also narrated at a very swift pace for much of the book, but would occasionally slow down considerably even when the prose didn’t seem to call for it. Eventually my brain adjusted and it became a non-issue, and I was comfortably reading at 1.5x speed, but in the end I do think I would have enjoyed this one more had I stuck to just my eyeball reading.
The theatre references are plentiful and, dare I say, maybe even a little too plentiful at times. It definitely leans niche in places, but theatre geeks will absolutely eat this up. Readers who aren’t as immersed in the theatre world may either feel a little lost or end up learning something along the way. There are also a ton of references to Hamilton and, as a theatre geek myself who admittedly doesn’t love that musical, it became a bit much for me personally... but I digress.
In the end, this is a delightful and entertaining book that celebrates inclusion while also exploring the many layers surrounding disability, both from the perspective of the disabled individual and the world around them. It’s such a thoughtful way for young readers to learn not only about a particular experience, but also how to respond, advocate for, and support their peers.
This would make such a fantastic addition to both school and home libraries. It’s also enjoyable as an adult read, which makes it perfect to buddy read with a young reader in your life.
This is such a wonderful debut from Wendy Lu. Even without knowing anything about her personally, you can feel the passion and lived experience woven throughout the story. Books written from a place of genuine understanding always stand out, and the experiences of these characters felt incredibly authentic as the story unfolded.
This book captures living with a disability so well, not only showing the day-to-day realities and emotions for the individual, but also the complicated reactions and responses from the people around them. Nothing is presented as black and white, which made it feel all the more realistic. I also really loved how immersed the reader becomes in the Asian culture throughout the story. I learned quite a bit along the way without ever feeling like I was being “taught.” The information flowed naturally through the plot and character interactions.
I do think this skews toward the younger end of the middle grade age range, both in the prose and in the narration by Sunny Lu (who I don’t believe is related to the author). I struggled a bit with the narration at first because some of the phrasing felt unusual to me, and there wasn’t a ton of differentiation between the characters, especially the kids versus the adults, which made it feel even younger overall. She also narrated at a very swift pace for much of the book, but would occasionally slow down considerably even when the prose didn’t seem to call for it. Eventually my brain adjusted and it became a non-issue, and I was comfortably reading at 1.5x speed, but in the end I do think I would have enjoyed this one more had I stuck to just my eyeball reading.
The theatre references are plentiful and, dare I say, maybe even a little too plentiful at times. It definitely leans niche in places, but theatre geeks will absolutely eat this up. Readers who aren’t as immersed in the theatre world may either feel a little lost or end up learning something along the way. There are also a ton of references to Hamilton and, as a theatre geek myself who admittedly doesn’t love that musical, it became a bit much for me personally... but I digress.
In the end, this is a delightful and entertaining book that celebrates inclusion while also exploring the many layers surrounding disability, both from the perspective of the disabled individual and the world around them. It’s such a thoughtful way for young readers to learn not only about a particular experience, but also how to respond, advocate for, and support their peers.
This would make such a fantastic addition to both school and home libraries. It’s also enjoyable as an adult read, which makes it perfect to buddy read with a young reader in your life.
September 1, 2026
I hear this is wicked good 👀
July 15, 2026
**honest review with some spoilers!
if you were the kid who watched High School Musical and Camp Rock and Lizzie McGuire on repeat, dreaming about the school stage, Casting April will take you right back there.
Wendy Lu's debut middle-grade novel follows April Xue, a Chinese-American sixth grader who lives for Broadway and finally works up the nerve to audition for the lead in her school play. she nails it. then she finds out she didn't get the role, not because she wasn't good enough, but because the director didn't think she could handle it.
here's the deal: April has bilateral vocal cord paralysis, which affects her breathing but not her voice. she wears a tracheostomy tube to help her breathe, and has had it her whole life. there's a scene where the teachers are literally talking about how loud the tube gets when April breathes, and how that's part of why April lost the part. a small, everyday detail, turned into a reason to sideline her. and then there's the scene where Graham puts his hand on the tube and it comes loose. genuinely scary to read. made me wonder if something like that has happened to any of you before?
what got me the most is how tired April is of explaining herself. always having to explain what her disability is, always fielding the same questions, always being asked if she needs help, like that's the only thing people can think to say to her. i can only imagine how exhausting it is to live. and it's not just her disability she's explaining. she's mocked for being Asian too... called "soy sauce," told she sounds like the train from Polar Express, has to correct people over and over on how to say her own last name, Xue.
having to explain your body and your name and your face, all in the same breath, that layering says a lot about what it's like to be different in more than one way at once.
Wendy weaves in immigration stories too, Chinese and Asian immigrant families trying to build a life while holding onto home. April's parents carry that traditional immigrant Chinese upbringing, the kind where love and worry and expectation are all tangled together, and you can feel how much of that shapes April without the book ever spelling it out.
the friendship between April and Zahra is one of my favorite parts. Zahra's whole world unwinds so beautifully - her mom is an activist, her brother is a gamer, and Zahra herself is trying to make her own mark on the world as a young Muslim girl.
but Lu doesn't let the friendship stay easy. there's a real moment of envy in April, caught between being a good friend to Zahra and wanting the lead role for herself. that kind of honesty, jealousy sitting right next to love, is rare in a book for this age group, and it's exactly right.
then there's Ruby, April's best friend, who really pushes April throughout the book, in the way you need someone in your corner who won't let you settle. and Mx. Bruener, a gender-neutral teacher (or i think i am right?).
one of the most powerful moments is when April finally understands why Graham has been the way he is - stubborn, standoffish, hard to be around. Lu doesn't excuse him, but she lets us see him. that's the heart of this whole book: people are shaped by things you can't always see, and the ones who seem the most difficult are usually carrying something too.
there's a thinking spiral April falls into, where one small trigger brings back every unkind thing anyone's ever said about her disability, all stacked on top of each other at once. if a single comment has ever knocked loose a lifetime of similar comments for you, you'll recognize that spiral immediately. and when April finally quits, when she has her outburst.. it doesn't feel dramatic for the sake of drama.
i also loved the little thread of stars running through the book. April was a star in her own right long before anyone else agreed to see it.
this book made me think about my own middle school insecurities, the ones i never said out loud, the urge to prove myself to everyone who didn't believe in me. Casting April teaches you that you're worth it, that you're allowed to take up the space you need, and that you don't have to prove anything to anyone.
a must-read for anyone who ever wanted the spotlight and was told to wait in the wings.
if you were the kid who watched High School Musical and Camp Rock and Lizzie McGuire on repeat, dreaming about the school stage, Casting April will take you right back there.
Wendy Lu's debut middle-grade novel follows April Xue, a Chinese-American sixth grader who lives for Broadway and finally works up the nerve to audition for the lead in her school play. she nails it. then she finds out she didn't get the role, not because she wasn't good enough, but because the director didn't think she could handle it.
here's the deal: April has bilateral vocal cord paralysis, which affects her breathing but not her voice. she wears a tracheostomy tube to help her breathe, and has had it her whole life. there's a scene where the teachers are literally talking about how loud the tube gets when April breathes, and how that's part of why April lost the part. a small, everyday detail, turned into a reason to sideline her. and then there's the scene where Graham puts his hand on the tube and it comes loose. genuinely scary to read. made me wonder if something like that has happened to any of you before?
what got me the most is how tired April is of explaining herself. always having to explain what her disability is, always fielding the same questions, always being asked if she needs help, like that's the only thing people can think to say to her. i can only imagine how exhausting it is to live. and it's not just her disability she's explaining. she's mocked for being Asian too... called "soy sauce," told she sounds like the train from Polar Express, has to correct people over and over on how to say her own last name, Xue.
having to explain your body and your name and your face, all in the same breath, that layering says a lot about what it's like to be different in more than one way at once.
Wendy weaves in immigration stories too, Chinese and Asian immigrant families trying to build a life while holding onto home. April's parents carry that traditional immigrant Chinese upbringing, the kind where love and worry and expectation are all tangled together, and you can feel how much of that shapes April without the book ever spelling it out.
the friendship between April and Zahra is one of my favorite parts. Zahra's whole world unwinds so beautifully - her mom is an activist, her brother is a gamer, and Zahra herself is trying to make her own mark on the world as a young Muslim girl.
but Lu doesn't let the friendship stay easy. there's a real moment of envy in April, caught between being a good friend to Zahra and wanting the lead role for herself. that kind of honesty, jealousy sitting right next to love, is rare in a book for this age group, and it's exactly right.
then there's Ruby, April's best friend, who really pushes April throughout the book, in the way you need someone in your corner who won't let you settle. and Mx. Bruener, a gender-neutral teacher (or i think i am right?).
one of the most powerful moments is when April finally understands why Graham has been the way he is - stubborn, standoffish, hard to be around. Lu doesn't excuse him, but she lets us see him. that's the heart of this whole book: people are shaped by things you can't always see, and the ones who seem the most difficult are usually carrying something too.
there's a thinking spiral April falls into, where one small trigger brings back every unkind thing anyone's ever said about her disability, all stacked on top of each other at once. if a single comment has ever knocked loose a lifetime of similar comments for you, you'll recognize that spiral immediately. and when April finally quits, when she has her outburst.. it doesn't feel dramatic for the sake of drama.
i also loved the little thread of stars running through the book. April was a star in her own right long before anyone else agreed to see it.
this book made me think about my own middle school insecurities, the ones i never said out loud, the urge to prove myself to everyone who didn't believe in me. Casting April teaches you that you're worth it, that you're allowed to take up the space you need, and that you don't have to prove anything to anyone.
a must-read for anyone who ever wanted the spotlight and was told to wait in the wings.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
**My thanks to Random House Children’s Books for providing me with an advanced review copy via NetGalley**
3 stars
This is a sweet middle-grade read that will appeal to theatre-loving kids and non-thespians who are worried about fitting in. The main character, April, is easy to root for: she’s a new middle-schooler obsessed with theatre who dreams of being cast as the lead in her school’s upcoming play, but feels held back by the attitudes of her parents, teachers, and peers toward her trach tube. By the end she shows everyone that her disability doesn’t prevent her from being a talented actress and chasing her dreams.
What I particularly liked about this story were the ways in which April not only had to overcome fearful and ignorant attitudes about her trach tube but also her own shortcomings as a friend and student. April’s desire to be the lead actress becomes so all-consuming that she neglects her best friend Ruby and deceives her new theater friend Zahra. April is forced to confront her actions and apologize to those she’s let down. She’s not just a victim of prejudice, she’s a whole and complicated person who ultimately wants to do the right thing but struggles with how to do so in an imperfect world and while pursuing her dreams. Ultimately the book becomes a story about the community coming together, not one person being the hero, and I love that.
The book stumbles a little, for me, with two characters: Nancy, a school reporter, and Ms. Rooney, the school play director. Nancy’s role is initially telegraphed as being much bigger than it ends up being, and so her character ends up feeling superfluous. Ms. Rooney, the director and writer of the school play, doesn’t quite read as a fully-fleshed and believable character the way April’s family and the various kid characters do. I also dislike the way a number of the conflicts are resolved in the end as being almost certain not to work with the logistics of middle school theatrical production (including last-minute major script changes), but I suppose that for the sake of a positive ending that can be overlooked in a middle grade book. I also feel like there was a missed opportunity for April and co. to discover the very cool, very real work of disabled theatre professionals in the U.S.
That said, the background and secondary characters are all unique and interesting, and I think this book will find great success with its intended audience. Hopefully it will inspire some kids who’d love to perform in front of an audience but feel held back by how their disability or identity is perceived by others.
3 stars
This is a sweet middle-grade read that will appeal to theatre-loving kids and non-thespians who are worried about fitting in. The main character, April, is easy to root for: she’s a new middle-schooler obsessed with theatre who dreams of being cast as the lead in her school’s upcoming play, but feels held back by the attitudes of her parents, teachers, and peers toward her trach tube. By the end she shows everyone that her disability doesn’t prevent her from being a talented actress and chasing her dreams.
What I particularly liked about this story were the ways in which April not only had to overcome fearful and ignorant attitudes about her trach tube but also her own shortcomings as a friend and student. April’s desire to be the lead actress becomes so all-consuming that she neglects her best friend Ruby and deceives her new theater friend Zahra. April is forced to confront her actions and apologize to those she’s let down. She’s not just a victim of prejudice, she’s a whole and complicated person who ultimately wants to do the right thing but struggles with how to do so in an imperfect world and while pursuing her dreams. Ultimately the book becomes a story about the community coming together, not one person being the hero, and I love that.
The book stumbles a little, for me, with two characters: Nancy, a school reporter, and Ms. Rooney, the school play director. Nancy’s role is initially telegraphed as being much bigger than it ends up being, and so her character ends up feeling superfluous. Ms. Rooney, the director and writer of the school play, doesn’t quite read as a fully-fleshed and believable character the way April’s family and the various kid characters do. I also dislike the way a number of the conflicts are resolved in the end as being almost certain not to work with the logistics of middle school theatrical production (including last-minute major script changes), but I suppose that for the sake of a positive ending that can be overlooked in a middle grade book. I also feel like there was a missed opportunity for April and co. to discover the very cool, very real work of disabled theatre professionals in the U.S.
That said, the background and secondary characters are all unique and interesting, and I think this book will find great success with its intended audience. Hopefully it will inspire some kids who’d love to perform in front of an audience but feel held back by how their disability or identity is perceived by others.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
View this review on my blog:
https://emmaisabookworm.blogspot.com/...
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0 stars romance - middle grade, so very clean
0 stars language - once again, middle grade
Thank you Penguin Random House for the ARC! This review is my own facts and opinions.
☆⛤♥⭑plot⭑♥⛤☆
April has lived her whole life with a tracheotomy tube, something that helps her breathe and that she needs to live. However, it sticks out from her neck and is very visible. She doesn’t let that stop her. She absolutely loves musical theater and when she sees her school is doing a play she signs up immediately. She thinks her audition goes great, but then she is regulated to stage crew, with no acting role whatsoever. She overhears the theater teacher say that the reason she isn’t cast is because of her tube and she creates a plan to show Mrs. Rooney (the teacher) that she can do it.
☆⛤♥⭑thoughts⭑♥⛤☆
I LOVED this book! I really enjoyed reading this book. It reminded me of A Chance To Fly, a book in which Nat (who is in a wheelchair) tries out for Wicked and has a role with no dancing and has to fight for her role. I really hope that the author writes more books because I really enjoyed reading this story. It was a page-turner because I was really invested in the story and really enjoyed reading it!
☆⛤♥⭑april⭑♥⛤☆
April was such a fun character and she threw herself into the whole show. She was a very strong character who fought to be seen as more than her disability. She was very kind, even when people were rude to her about her tracheotomy. I felt for her, as she expected to have a good role, even the lead role and to be regulated to absolutely nothing on stage and just an offstage role. When she had to deal with other kids, she was kind and patient to a point and then she would say what needed to be said.
☆⛤♥⭑theater⭑♥⛤☆
As someone who loves theater, the music, watching the shows, being in them, all of it, this book was like a dream come true. It felt very realistic and just how I remember my last few shows. The kids in the show were all passionate, but there was that one kid who just doesn’t really care.
xoxo
emma
https://emmaisabookworm.blogspot.com/...
Watch me unbox this book!
https://youtube.com/shorts/heyV_7dDAS...
Follow my Youtube for unboxings and other bookish content!
https://www.youtube.com/@EmmaIsABookworm
0 stars romance - middle grade, so very clean
0 stars language - once again, middle grade
Thank you Penguin Random House for the ARC! This review is my own facts and opinions.
☆⛤♥⭑plot⭑♥⛤☆
April has lived her whole life with a tracheotomy tube, something that helps her breathe and that she needs to live. However, it sticks out from her neck and is very visible. She doesn’t let that stop her. She absolutely loves musical theater and when she sees her school is doing a play she signs up immediately. She thinks her audition goes great, but then she is regulated to stage crew, with no acting role whatsoever. She overhears the theater teacher say that the reason she isn’t cast is because of her tube and she creates a plan to show Mrs. Rooney (the teacher) that she can do it.
☆⛤♥⭑thoughts⭑♥⛤☆
I LOVED this book! I really enjoyed reading this book. It reminded me of A Chance To Fly, a book in which Nat (who is in a wheelchair) tries out for Wicked and has a role with no dancing and has to fight for her role. I really hope that the author writes more books because I really enjoyed reading this story. It was a page-turner because I was really invested in the story and really enjoyed reading it!
☆⛤♥⭑april⭑♥⛤☆
April was such a fun character and she threw herself into the whole show. She was a very strong character who fought to be seen as more than her disability. She was very kind, even when people were rude to her about her tracheotomy. I felt for her, as she expected to have a good role, even the lead role and to be regulated to absolutely nothing on stage and just an offstage role. When she had to deal with other kids, she was kind and patient to a point and then she would say what needed to be said.
☆⛤♥⭑theater⭑♥⛤☆
As someone who loves theater, the music, watching the shows, being in them, all of it, this book was like a dream come true. It felt very realistic and just how I remember my last few shows. The kids in the show were all passionate, but there was that one kid who just doesn’t really care.
xoxo
emma
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to #NetGalley, Wendy Lu and the publisher of the book for the eARC copy in exchange for an honest review.
Sixth grader April Xue loves everything about Broadway and dreams of becoming a star. So when auditions for the school play arrive, April finally works up the courage to try out for the lead role. She’s sure she gave an amazing audition, but instead of getting cast, she’s placed on the stage crew. April is crushed. Then she overhears something even worse: the theater director, Ms. Rooney, didn’t cast her because of her disability. Determined to prove everyone wrong, April teams up with her best friend, a curious student reporter, and her supportive cast mates. Along the way, she learns to believe in herself, speak up for what’s fair, and show the whole school that she belongs in the spotlight.
What an amazing book and one that definitely resinated with me. This book was such a relatable and inspiring read. I especially connected with April because, like her, I also had a disability in middle school and understood a lot of the feelings she experienced such as wanting to fit in, prove yourself, and be treated fairly. April’s struggles felt very real, and it was easy to cheer for her as she learned to stand up for herself and follow her dreams.
What makes this book so fun to read is that it doesn’t just focus on the school play. It also includes all the typical middle school drama and problems that readers will recognize: friendships, rumors, and trying to figure out where you belong. The story balances emotional moments with funny and exciting scenes, especially as opening night gets closer.
Even if you’re not interested in theater, this book has something for everyone. It’s about friendship, confidence, and not letting other people decide what you can or cannot do. April is a character that many middle schoolers will see themselves in, and her journey makes you want to keep turning the pages to see what happens next.
Sixth grader April Xue loves everything about Broadway and dreams of becoming a star. So when auditions for the school play arrive, April finally works up the courage to try out for the lead role. She’s sure she gave an amazing audition, but instead of getting cast, she’s placed on the stage crew. April is crushed. Then she overhears something even worse: the theater director, Ms. Rooney, didn’t cast her because of her disability. Determined to prove everyone wrong, April teams up with her best friend, a curious student reporter, and her supportive cast mates. Along the way, she learns to believe in herself, speak up for what’s fair, and show the whole school that she belongs in the spotlight.
What an amazing book and one that definitely resinated with me. This book was such a relatable and inspiring read. I especially connected with April because, like her, I also had a disability in middle school and understood a lot of the feelings she experienced such as wanting to fit in, prove yourself, and be treated fairly. April’s struggles felt very real, and it was easy to cheer for her as she learned to stand up for herself and follow her dreams.
What makes this book so fun to read is that it doesn’t just focus on the school play. It also includes all the typical middle school drama and problems that readers will recognize: friendships, rumors, and trying to figure out where you belong. The story balances emotional moments with funny and exciting scenes, especially as opening night gets closer.
Even if you’re not interested in theater, this book has something for everyone. It’s about friendship, confidence, and not letting other people decide what you can or cannot do. April is a character that many middle schoolers will see themselves in, and her journey makes you want to keep turning the pages to see what happens next.
August 24, 2026
Casting April really got to me. I went into it expecting a straightforward middle-grade theater story, but April’s experience ended up being much more complicated and emotional than that.
What I liked most about April is that she isn’t written as a perfect inspirational character. She desperately wants the lead in the school production because acting genuinely matters to her, and being pushed onto stage crew hurts—not just because she wants the spotlight, but because she realizes that someone else has already decided what she can and cannot do because of her tracheostomy tube.
I especially appreciated the way April handles the aftermath. She overhears Ms. Rooney’s reasoning, becomes angry, and then makes some questionable choices of her own. The fact that she lies about getting the lead and becomes so focused on proving herself that she hurts her friendship with Ruby made her feel much more like a real twelve-year-old to me. She isn't simply fighting against other people's assumptions; she also has to confront her own mistakes.
The theater setting was another highlight. I loved how much Broadway means to April and how that passion carries through the auditions, rehearsals, and preparations for Finding Primula. The behind-the-scenes theater details give the story a lot of energy, but they also make the eventual question of whether April will actually get her chance onstage feel genuinely important.
Most importantly, I liked that the story doesn't reduce April to her disability. She wants to be seen as an actress first, but the book also allows her to have insecurities, make mistakes, be stubborn, love her friends, and simply be a kid. That balance is what made the disability representation feel so meaningful to me.
A heartfelt debut about theater, friendship, ableism, and the courage to insist that you deserve the same opportunity as everyone else. April's determination stayed with me long after I finished.
What I liked most about April is that she isn’t written as a perfect inspirational character. She desperately wants the lead in the school production because acting genuinely matters to her, and being pushed onto stage crew hurts—not just because she wants the spotlight, but because she realizes that someone else has already decided what she can and cannot do because of her tracheostomy tube.
I especially appreciated the way April handles the aftermath. She overhears Ms. Rooney’s reasoning, becomes angry, and then makes some questionable choices of her own. The fact that she lies about getting the lead and becomes so focused on proving herself that she hurts her friendship with Ruby made her feel much more like a real twelve-year-old to me. She isn't simply fighting against other people's assumptions; she also has to confront her own mistakes.
The theater setting was another highlight. I loved how much Broadway means to April and how that passion carries through the auditions, rehearsals, and preparations for Finding Primula. The behind-the-scenes theater details give the story a lot of energy, but they also make the eventual question of whether April will actually get her chance onstage feel genuinely important.
Most importantly, I liked that the story doesn't reduce April to her disability. She wants to be seen as an actress first, but the book also allows her to have insecurities, make mistakes, be stubborn, love her friends, and simply be a kid. That balance is what made the disability representation feel so meaningful to me.
A heartfelt debut about theater, friendship, ableism, and the courage to insist that you deserve the same opportunity as everyone else. April's determination stayed with me long after I finished.
July 10, 2026
Casting April is a heartwarming, empowering middle grade novel that celebrates courage, friendship, and the importance of believing in yourself even when others underestimate you. Wendy Lu delivers a story that is both emotionally engaging and wonderfully inspiring, giving readers a protagonist they'll cheer for from beginning to end.
April is an unforgettable main character. Her passion for Broadway and performing is infectious, and her determination to chase her dreams despite the obstacles placed before her makes her journey incredibly rewarding. Rather than allowing her disability to define her, the story highlights her talent, resilience, and individuality while honestly portraying the challenges she faces.
The friendships throughout the novel add warmth, humor, and authenticity. April's best friend and supportive classmates demonstrate how encouragement and advocacy can make a meaningful difference, while also showing that true friendship involves standing up for what's right.
The theater setting brings energy and excitement to the story. From auditions to rehearsals and opening night, readers are immersed in the behind-the-scenes world of school productions, making the novel especially appealing to young performers and creative readers.
One of the book's greatest strengths is its thoughtful approach to disability representation. The story addresses bias and misconceptions with honesty while focusing on inclusion, fairness, and opportunity rather than pity. Its message encourages empathy without ever becoming preachy.
Casting April is a wonderful middle grade novel about perseverance, confidence, and finding your voice. Filled with memorable characters, meaningful themes, and plenty of heart, it's an excellent choice for classrooms, libraries, book clubs, and any young reader who enjoys stories about friendship, theater, and following their dreams.
April is an unforgettable main character. Her passion for Broadway and performing is infectious, and her determination to chase her dreams despite the obstacles placed before her makes her journey incredibly rewarding. Rather than allowing her disability to define her, the story highlights her talent, resilience, and individuality while honestly portraying the challenges she faces.
The friendships throughout the novel add warmth, humor, and authenticity. April's best friend and supportive classmates demonstrate how encouragement and advocacy can make a meaningful difference, while also showing that true friendship involves standing up for what's right.
The theater setting brings energy and excitement to the story. From auditions to rehearsals and opening night, readers are immersed in the behind-the-scenes world of school productions, making the novel especially appealing to young performers and creative readers.
One of the book's greatest strengths is its thoughtful approach to disability representation. The story addresses bias and misconceptions with honesty while focusing on inclusion, fairness, and opportunity rather than pity. Its message encourages empathy without ever becoming preachy.
Casting April is a wonderful middle grade novel about perseverance, confidence, and finding your voice. Filled with memorable characters, meaningful themes, and plenty of heart, it's an excellent choice for classrooms, libraries, book clubs, and any young reader who enjoys stories about friendship, theater, and following their dreams.
August 6, 2026
12yo April wants to be an actress. So far her only experience has been through an app where she is cast in virtual shows. Now that she's in 6th grade, she tries out for the middle school fall show. She feels like she nails her audition, but is cast as a tech - stage assistant. What went wrong? When she overhears the drama teacher talking about her to some other teachers, April discovers she wasn't cast because she has a tracheostomy tube, and the teacher was worried there might be problems. April is angry and embarrassed, and when her mother asks if she got a part, she lies and says she got the lead.
I am so torn about this story. I liked that it was about a child with a trach tube trying to get everyone to see it's not a disability, but on the other hand I hated the representation of middle school theater so much. Mrs. Rooney, the drama teacher, was terrible and not in a funny way; too much responsibility was put on a very small (3-person?) tech crew of mostly 6th graders; bad behavior of cast members was allowed to continue that should have been stopped the first time, and a friendship was nearly lost because April was too busy with the show. There's more, but I don't want to rant. I don't feel the school theater community was fairly represented, and it really bothers me.
I am so torn about this story. I liked that it was about a child with a trach tube trying to get everyone to see it's not a disability, but on the other hand I hated the representation of middle school theater so much. Mrs. Rooney, the drama teacher, was terrible and not in a funny way; too much responsibility was put on a very small (3-person?) tech crew of mostly 6th graders; bad behavior of cast members was allowed to continue that should have been stopped the first time, and a friendship was nearly lost because April was too busy with the show. There's more, but I don't want to rant. I don't feel the school theater community was fairly represented, and it really bothers me.
August 24, 2026
Clocking in at less than 300 pages, ownvoices debut author Wendy Lu showcases a middle grade novel that centers not just on a sixth grader trying to navigate school play dynamics but also what it means to be disabled and how that treatment impacts you and others. April has a a visible trach tube that helps her breathe. She’s had it her whole life. But her identity is more than just her disability. She is a second (third?) generation Chinese American who parents own a restaurant. This novel beautifully showed the inner and outer turmoils kids face on a regular basis. The pressure that is put on them and the ones they put on themselves. April wants to be taken seriously as an actor and tries to go about this her own way when she isn’t given the role she truly wanted. The ableism is real and I learned a lot while reading about language around visibly and non visibly disabled people. I laughed and cried along with April & the cast as they went from improv to the finale of their Finding Primula play.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3.5 stars. Good choice for 4th grade and up, especially those with an interest in theater. April has a disability and BIG dreams of being a Broadway star. When auditions for an original play are posted, she signs up with the encouragement of her best friend, Ruby. A first-generation American, her hard-working, over-protective parents aren't sure it is a good choice for her. Plenty of theater drama, middle school drama, friend drama, parent drama, and teacher drama to keep readers engaged. April's voice is that of a sixth grader, and young readers will relate to many of her experiences and emotions. All in all, a solid middle-grade read. Thank you to NetGalley for the EArc of this one.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This has all the drama of a good middle grade book -- changing friendships, parental expectations, finding yourself in new hobbies/interests -- with another layer of doing all that with a visible disability. April knows that she is a good actor and is tired of people judging her by her tracheostomy tube. She sets out to earn the lead role in the middle school play one way or another, even when she is relegated to back stage. There is excellent representation of both visible and invisible disabilities, as well as the ways parents and teachers both help students and hold them back. Highly recommended for grades 4 & up.
eARC provided by publisher via NetGalley
eARC provided by publisher via NetGalley
August 21, 2026
This story took me right back to Middle School: the popular kids, the bullies, parents' expectations, misunderstandings between friends, teachers who struggle with supporting as well as knowing how to discipline children. All of the characters are flawed in some way. They misinterpret situations and make not-so-good decisions. The learning and understanding among characters in the end makes this an excellent middle-grade story. I've asked the local middle school librarian to put it on the list to be purchased.
This is also a good book for parents to read with and discuss with their children. Would make a good assignment for middle school readers. And book reports!
This is also a good book for parents to read with and discuss with their children. Would make a good assignment for middle school readers. And book reports!
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.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A very sweet, poignant story about the limitations others place on you when you are disabled. Wendy Lu crafts a very dynamic character in April, one who loves to perform and chafes against the constrictions from her mom and director. Performers in particular will love all of the musical references, though there is also a lot for non-performers to enjoy. This would make a solid addition to any middle grade realistic fiction shelf!
Thank you to NetGalley and Knopf Books for Young Readers for an eARC in exchange for my honest review.
Thank you to NetGalley and Knopf Books for Young Readers for an eARC in exchange for my honest review.
July 2, 2026
I have read the ebook and listened to the audiobook. Sunny Lu definitely did well again. I'm epileptic and I can relate hiding it from others. April, Zara, and heck everyone even Nancy was great. We need more of these characters. Wendy, great job with being sensitive to a lot of people's emotions; yet giving a great delivery in your book. I have to say Nancy was/is my favorite character because I'm nosey. Lol. But all were amazing and a lot were dealing with different things in different ways.. my rating isn't lasting for some reason ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 17, 2026
"Life is more meaningful when you go through it with the people you love around you."
~Casting April by Wendy Lu
This book was so sweet. I loved the writing style and the characters. The theater setting reminded me of how much I love musicals. I absolutely loved the diversity and the light shown on different talents. It was so neat that the author pulled from her own life and brought light upon her experience with bilateral vocal cord paralysis. This story is beautifully written and touches on topics of identity, friendship, embracing your differences.
~Casting April by Wendy Lu
This book was so sweet. I loved the writing style and the characters. The theater setting reminded me of how much I love musicals. I absolutely loved the diversity and the light shown on different talents. It was so neat that the author pulled from her own life and brought light upon her experience with bilateral vocal cord paralysis. This story is beautifully written and touches on topics of identity, friendship, embracing your differences.
August 29, 2026
Young thespians will highly enjoy this Middle Grade novel about April and her desire to act in the school play. While I love the disability representation and the nods to musical theater, there are some things depicted in this story that wouldn't have flown even when I was a kid, let alone these days. Nevertheless, it's a fun, wholesome tale about theater and friendship.
Thank you to Knopf Books for Young Readers for the opportunity to read and review.
Thank you to Knopf Books for Young Readers for the opportunity to read and review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Disclaimer that I am the author’s husband and thus, I suppose, biased. That said, this is an incredibly powerful story about a talented theater kid and the assumptions that stand in her way. Wendy has written a compelling, charming, and nuanced character in April, whom readers of all backgrounds will identify with in her struggle to make her voice heard. Fans of musical theatre, Chinese diaspora literature, coming-of-age stories, and even sci-fi will all find something to love in this book!
July 20, 2026
I love seeing new types of diversity represented in middle grade literature. The only thing I didn't like was the treatment of April when she had to deal with the bully Graham. He was a bully. I don't understand why April had to be empathetic toward him just because he was dealing with a very hard family situation.
July 24, 2026
This is a great story about a middle school girl achieving her dreams despite what people think about her disability.
Disability rep is great, especially own-voices. There's also good representation with side characters.
I felt like the mom's opinion on allowing April to do theater changed a bit too fast, but that's typical for these kinds of books.
Disability rep is great, especially own-voices. There's also good representation with side characters.
I felt like the mom's opinion on allowing April to do theater changed a bit too fast, but that's typical for these kinds of books.
August 8, 2026
Casting April is an empowering middle grade novel, it has disability representation (visible & invisible), the Asian diaspora, and of musical theatre. It is inspiring to read April navigating through them and just being a middle schooler. As I was reading I kept thinking I wish I had stories like this growing up, I related April in so many ways. I think everyone should read it and hopefully be an ally just like April's friends 🧡
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
A good portrayal of the thespian world, but it took me a while to enjoy the story. April makes a host of bad decisions, but there's a good character arc.
July 1, 2026
One of my favorite books of the year.
July 16, 2026
I enjoyed this book so much. Wendy Lu does an excellent job of weaving multiple storylines together. There are not enough books about theater and music so this book was refreshing.
July 27, 2026
April wants the lead in the school play but is assigned to the stage crew and thinks it’s because she overheard her teacher worry abt her disability. Will things change? #tracheostomy #friendship
July 29, 2026
Will purchase for the theater students.
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