Jack & Louisa: Act 2

Jack & Louisa #2

by Andrew Keenan-Bolger, Kate Wetherhead

After a whirlwind trip to the musical theater capital of the world—New York City—best friends Jack and Louisa soon discover that their encore performances might be a bit closer to home than expected.

Shaker Heights Middle School has announced a production of Guys and Dolls, a classic American musical and one of Jack and Lou's favorites. With Jack starring as Nathan and Louisa as Adelaide, the pair are certain they'll tear down the roof of their school's auditorium. But a mysterious new director soon arrives in town and threatens to meddle with Jack and Lou's dreams. Will Louisa make it through a Broadway-level dance call? Can Jack beat out his new competition? And is Shaker Heights big enough for two Broadway legends?

Genres: Middle Grade, Realistic Fiction, Fiction, Childrens, Juvenile, Theatre

256 pages, Hardcover

First published February 16, 2016

Reviews

[Madeline Bennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got this book as an early release at a theatre festival and I LOVED it! I read the first one in a day and decided that I HAD to read the second one. I read it also in a day and enjoyed it just as much! As a fellow theatre lover, I found this book very relatable as well as funny and enjoyable. A MUST READ for theatre lovers! :)

[Lisa Nocita · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the 2nd book in a series. I did not read the first book as a disclaimer. Very much an intermediate to middle grade title. Theater kids may enjoy this series. There is not a lot of action and it has a pretty simple narrative with a nice tidy, predictable resolution.

[Sarah Threlkeld · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another entertaining and thoroughly satisfying book in a series aimed at theater nerds.

[Meranda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Keeping in mind that it was a book aimed for middle schoolers (I read it because AKB was one of the co authors), I thought it was overall enjoyable! It's a nice series to relax and read for fun.

[Roberta]

A really cute series about middle school theatre kids

[Andréa]

Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book through Edelweiss.

[Halle Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was equally as good as the first book. Jack & Louisa will continue to be my favorite in the coming years.

[Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good sequel to the first book. I wasn't a fan of how the story wrapped up so quickly.

[Tnb · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book is as wonderful as the first - definitely "a-must-read" for any broadway fan. However, the book can be liked by all middle schoolers-boys and girls. The book is warm and features strong and weak personnage representing each gender.
In a drama-free manner the book (as well as its predecessor) touches on important topics to which middle schoolers are opening up, topics that are part of the external, real world; not the sheltered, enclosed world younger students reside in-employment, achievement, me vs others, fulfillment. All characters are important - event the "lady-in-waiting number 7" bring insight, and can have deep, fulfilling, personal experiences to share.
One of the key strengths of this series, is the concentration on the type of friendships that can begin forming in the middle age group, the positive friendships that I admire and wish for my children to develop one day. The middle schoolers are notorious for being troublemakers, rebellers, unreasonable, irrational. Some adults never leave this age group. Some kids are not your standard sterotype.
Beautiful construct, narration, characters, story, intention.
Enjoy!

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Calling all Musical Theatre Nerds that's MTN for short! This story begins with Jack & Louisa visiting NYC over New Year's and attending more Broadway shows than I'll ever be able to afford in a lifetime. I guess it pays to have friends on Broadway (but I digress). Once back in Shaker Heights their attention returns to school and the next musical their school will be performing; Guys & Dolls. Over the break their music teacher had a skiing accident and will be unable to direct. Luckily a former student and Broadway actress agrees to come back to town direct. Jack & Louisa are ecstatic and begin their plan to be cast and Nathan and Adelaide. Eventually Jack & Louisa notice there's something not quite right with the repeated negative attention Jack receives. It all comes to head at rehearsal and Louisa blows her top in defense of Jack. Will the show go on or will the cast walk out?

Side note: This book will make you dig out the Broadway soundtracks of Chorus Line and Guys & Dolls.

Recommended for any lover of the theatre!

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jack and Louisa: Act 2 was okay but not quite as good as the first book in the series. The conflict in this one just seems kind of weak, with no subplots to fill it out. The attempt at character development for Jack didn't really seem in line with the first book, and Lou just didn't get any--the plot doesn't ask much of her. In addition, Belinda was just really annoying (and not in a fun way), the whole gag with repeating "she hasn't been back in a really long time!" wasn't funny, and the audition logistics didn't feel believable. I did appreciate, however, that this book avoided the use of "gay" as an insult which was present in the first book.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just like the first book, this was a fun, easy read. I loved all the theater references, it made me go back and get out my Guys and Dolls cast recording so I could remember how the show went. I hadn't listened to it in a long time. I like that these books are geared towards people like myself, big theater fans, and that I can sit and easily read through this in just a few sittings. Can't wait for another!

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

A MS drama tale with bits of New York's Broadway thrown in. Jack's flight from Broadway to Ohio was covered in the first book, yet the reasons for the move were made a bit of a mystery in this episode. The book reminded me of Tim Federle's Better Nate then Ever. The major conflict in this story centers around an adult, which in turn affects the teens.

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I keep wanting this series to be more like Tim Federle's Better Nate Than Ever series. I can see how the book would appeal to the age group it's intended for, but even then, the Nate series is more engaging, has more interesting characters, and doesn't try as hard.

[Sydney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! Can't wait for the third installment :) I also loved that it's become a favorite among my 5th grade students, who spend snack time discussing where they are in which Jack & Louisa book and making predictions about the characters.

[Leonel · Rating 5 out of 5]

https://leonelescota.wordpress.com/20...

After finishing 'Jack & Louisa:Act 1," I rushed into 'Act 2' right away, and it's even better. We follow Jack & Louisa's friendship, and their escapades.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the theater-ness of this series as well as the back and forth between the two characters. I feel like young kids who don't have theater experience might have a more difficult time connecting with this as the main problem is very "showy"

[Darren · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

If there is one thing I could praise in this 2nd book, it would be the villainous director. Very realistic and comparable to any typical director in any stage show. She's really misunderstood but she also has her human moments.

Can't wait for intermission to end and Act 3 to start.

[Kym · Rating 3 out of 5]

A sweet follow up to Jack and Louisa: Act 1. As a MTN I loved the Broadway references, but wished there was a little more conflict.

[Megan Markham · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series is simple and a quick read for adults as it is a children's chapter book. Lovers of theater will find delight in Jack and Louisa's world

[Brenna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ahh!! Another cute story following Jack and Louisa! All of the musical theatre references make me so happy!

Toss toss!

[Caitlin · Rating 3 out of 5]

A sweet little follow-up book that theater fans will lap up for all its inside-y references!

[Johnny · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great sequel to the original, I enjoyed following the exploits of Jack and Louisa as they ventured into the territory of their school musical, a typically dreadful affair livened up by a new director. My kids and I had some great conversations around how to deal with difficult adults and teachers as a result, and being a family of Musical Theater Nerds (MTNs), we loved the insider references!