Stepping Out

by Laura Langston

Laughter is fifteen-year-old Paige Larsson’s currency in life. It takes the sting out of life’s tough stuff. It eases the pain of nasty comments, agonizing moments in gym class and awkward pauses at parties. She likes it even more when others laugh with her, so she’s become a YouTube comedy vlogger.

Now Paige is about to step out of her comfort zone and compete―live and onstage―in the prestigious International Teens in Comedy festival. Winning will give her the opportunity to work with some of the biggest names in comedy. It’ll also mean $10,000 for her school’s performing-arts department. But Paige has always used her humor to mask the pain of a disability, and in the world of stand-up comedy, that won’t cut it anymore.

Genres: Young Adult

144 pages, Paperback

First published February 16, 2016

About the author

By the time she hit Grade Four, Laura Langston knew she wanted to be a writer. So did the teachers. It was the persistent daydreaming and invisible friends that tipped them off. Since Laura grew up knowing no writers – and consequently didn’t know how to be one – she became a journalist instead. The trouble is, journalists are expected to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.

But making stuff up is way more fun. So eventually Laura traded one notebook for another and today she writes books for tweens, teens, children and sometimes adults.

When she’s not writing, reading or walking her Shetland sheepdogs, Laura can be found spying on people in the grocery store or twisting herself into a pretzel in yoga class. To learn more, visit www.lauralangston.com. Follow her at www.facebook.com/LauraLangston.Author

Reviews

[Husna · Rating 2 out of 5]

ok.
Nothing much to gush about, no edge of the seat excitement or fear, nothing hilarious. Just...ok.
I do think I just couldn't identify with the character because her plight is not something that I've struggled with. She is a budding Comedian who suffers from stage fright and also has a club foot. I don't think I am being unempathetic, rather, the novel didn't dig too deep into the difficulties of living with a physical deformity. It would be a perfect read if you're looking for light humour, a hint of potential romance, sibling rivalry and a surface insight into dealing with a fear of rejection and outcastism*.
*Yes, I made up a word. It needs to exist. It's a very important concept.

[Tony · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a fun little hi-lo book for reluctant readers. The protagonist, Paige, is likeable and so are her friends and family. The conflict between Paige and her sister Brooke is pretty interesting. I liked how this book didn't stick to the "after school special" formula and resolve all the conflicts in happily ever after fashion. The plot definitely speaks to a generation that is being raised with social media without being annoying about it. If I were a parent who was trying to get my kid to read, I would definitely put this book on my list.

[Megan Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funny and warm, this book is less predictable than you might expect and a good choice for reluctant and/or struggling readers.

[Lisa McManus · Rating 4 out of 5]

‘Stepping Out’ by Laura Langston (Limelights, Orca Book Publishing, Feb 2016) is a refreshing, smooth-paced young adult read that kept me engaged from start to finish. 15-year-old Paige Larsson is tackling insecurities about her limp and other teenage issues through her love of stand-up comedy - a form of expression and creativity not often found in young adult fiction. But as Paige learns over the course of the story, self-depreciation is not always as funny as it’s delivered, nor does it really do anything for her confidence. A competition has Paige pushing her personal boundaries and in turn has her learning her to accept herself for who she is - and that’s no joke.

‘Stepping Out’ is a well-written must-read – another great work by this multi-published author. I will be waiting in anticipation for her next book.

[Tiffany Chien · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stepping Out
By:Laura Langston
Book review by: Tiffany Chien

If you want something badly, you’ve got to work for it it. Paige Larsson loves comedy. Her life consists of juggling school work and making a video for her YouTube channel. As a comedy vlogger on YouTube, Paige loves to make people laugh. Her two best friends, Carley and Hunter, enters her into a prestigious comedy that only the best comedians compete in. Brooke, Paige’s older sister, has hated her for all the attention she is getting . Paige has to step out of her comfort zone and try something she has never done before. The theme of this book is to never give up because there were times where Brook and others would push Paige down and tell her that she wasn’t good enough, but Paige kept going and worked hard. Stepping Out takes place in modern time. An example of why this book take place in modern time is because during the competition, there is a huge theater with TV stations and thousands of seats. This is also a great reason why this book is realistic fiction. Nothing about this book screams science fiction or fantasy, everything that is happening in this book can happen today. For example, Paige’s YouTube channel or the huge theater in the comedy competition.

This book includes character vs. self because there were times in the book where Paige wanted to give up and withdraw her entry for the competition. But she push herself and made it just because she didn’t quit. Character vs. Society takes place in Stepping Out because there were many haters. Paige has been pushed down by not only her sister Brooke, but her classmates and peers. But Paige ignored all that was said at school and social media and followed her dreams.

I loved this book because it explains the story line very well. For example, the rising action, conflict, and resolution. Another reason why I enjoyed Stepping Out is because it is a comedy. The author, Laura Langston, included so many details that it made the reader feel like they were in the audience also laughing or with Paige on stage.

Readers who would enjoy this book is someone who wants to learn about stand up comedy or someone who just loves a good laugh. This book is recommended for all gender and for readers 11 and up. I think this because this book is targeted more towards girls nor boys, so all can enjoy and laugh. Readers 11 and up would be a good audience for this book because there are some bad words.