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Lulu the Broadway Mouse #1
Lulu the Broadway Mouse
Ratatouille meets Broadway in this charming new middle grade novel about a little mouse with big dreams.
Lulu is a little girl with a very big dream: she wants to be on Broadway. She wants it more than anything in the world. As it happens, she lives in Broadway's Shubert Theatre; so achieving her dream shouldn't be too tricky, right? Wrong. Because the thing about Lulu? She's a little girl mouse.
When a human girl named Jayne joins the cast of the show at the Shubert as an understudy, Lulu becomes Jayne's guide through the world of her theatre and its wonderfully kooky cast and crew. Together, Jayne and Lulu learn that sometimes dreams turn out differently than we imagined; sometimes they come with terms and conditions (aka the company mean girl, Amanda). But sometimes, just when we've given up all hope, bigger and better dreams than we'd ever thought could come true, do.
Lulu is a little girl with a very big dream: she wants to be on Broadway. She wants it more than anything in the world. As it happens, she lives in Broadway's Shubert Theatre; so achieving her dream shouldn't be too tricky, right? Wrong. Because the thing about Lulu? She's a little girl mouse.
When a human girl named Jayne joins the cast of the show at the Shubert as an understudy, Lulu becomes Jayne's guide through the world of her theatre and its wonderfully kooky cast and crew. Together, Jayne and Lulu learn that sometimes dreams turn out differently than we imagined; sometimes they come with terms and conditions (aka the company mean girl, Amanda). But sometimes, just when we've given up all hope, bigger and better dreams than we'd ever thought could come true, do.
256 pages, Hardcover
First published October 9, 2018
16 people are currently reading
237 people want to read
About the author
Jenna Gavigan
2 books15 followersJenna Gavigan grew up dreaming of Broadway. As a teenager, she made her Broadway debut in Gypsy, opposite Bernadette Peters. Since then, she’s appeared in a handful of films, on a gaggle of television shows, and on stages east and west. A fourth generation New Yorker, Jenna graduated with a BA in creative writing from Columbia University, where she focused on fiction, television, and screenwriting. She lives in a teeny tiny Manhattan apartment with her husband, Kevin. Like Lulu, Jenna loves cheese, regularly quotes musicals, and continues to dream of Broadway. Lulu the Broadway Mouse is her first novel. Jenna is busy editing Lulu's sequel, The Show Must Go On, on sale March 2020.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews
February 21, 2024
This book is just plain cute. Since I was a theatre major in college, I loved all the references to how Broadway and theatre in general work. I think any little kid with dreams of being on the stage would really enjoy this story (and learn a lot from it too). The style is sort of interesting because it's really pretty much a contemporary MG set in a Broadway theatre---except the MC happens to be a mouse. I was expecting a bit more fantasy elements or something, but honestly, Lulu could have been a little girl and the story wouldn't have been all that different. I'm not sure if that's a positive or a negative about the book, it's just a fact. I'm not sure how much the book will appeal to kids who aren't already interested in the theatre since it's not super plot-heavy, but if you know any kids who are at all interested in being onstage, this would definitely be for them. Overall, I thought this was a sweet story of following your dreams and learning to work with others.
***Disclosure: I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. No other compensation was given and all opinions are my own.***
***Disclosure: I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. No other compensation was given and all opinions are my own.***
July 16, 2018
3.5 stars Thank you to NetGalley and Running Press for a chance to read and review this ARC. Publication date is October 9, 2018.
This is the story of a sweet little mouse, Lucy Louise, better know as Lulu, who is born at the Shubert Theatre on Broadway. Her dream is to be an actress and perform in this theatre, the Shubert.
Lulu befriends a new under-study and quickly becomes her mentor. It is then that Lulu realizes that it is never to late to give up your dreams.
Such a sweet and amusing little novel. To fully enjoy it you must suspend reality and give yourself over to this contemporary little story. It mentions a number of current people, such as Jennifer Lawrence and Lady Gaga, current innovations, such as Invisaligns, and current running Broadway shows, Hamilton. It also has a lot of references to stage vernacular, past shows, past stage actresses, and lines from various plays. But mainly speaks to dreams, understanding and acceptance. This is a first novel by an actress who has also made her debut on Broadway.
This is the story of a sweet little mouse, Lucy Louise, better know as Lulu, who is born at the Shubert Theatre on Broadway. Her dream is to be an actress and perform in this theatre, the Shubert.
Lulu befriends a new under-study and quickly becomes her mentor. It is then that Lulu realizes that it is never to late to give up your dreams.
Such a sweet and amusing little novel. To fully enjoy it you must suspend reality and give yourself over to this contemporary little story. It mentions a number of current people, such as Jennifer Lawrence and Lady Gaga, current innovations, such as Invisaligns, and current running Broadway shows, Hamilton. It also has a lot of references to stage vernacular, past shows, past stage actresses, and lines from various plays. But mainly speaks to dreams, understanding and acceptance. This is a first novel by an actress who has also made her debut on Broadway.
November 6, 2024
Have you ever wished for the impossible? Lulu the Broadway Mouse tells the funny and heartwarming story of Lulu, a young mouse who longs to perform on the Broadway stage. Living and working behind the scenes in a theater brings her dreams almost within reach—and when Lulu befriends a human girl, Jayne, she moves one step closer to taking the stage herself. But will Jayne’s stage fright be a barrier to fulfilling Lulu’s ambitions, or the key to turning her fantasy to reality? Find out in this feel-good middle grade novel about chasing your dreams and having the courage to stand out!
Check this book out at the Villa Park Public Library!
Check this book out at the Villa Park Public Library!
October 9, 2018
FABULOUS. Full RTC.
January 21, 2020
Absolutely charming!
January 11, 2019
Both my 11 year old daughter and I loved this book! It was so cute! Loved all the Broadway references and Lulu the Mouse’s recommendations about what to do if you visit NY!
July 20, 2018
Lulu the Broadway Mouse was a cute story, perfect for middle grade independent reading time. Lulu comes from a broadway bound family and the accuracy in dialogue and terms is adorable. I would recommend this book in the future.
November 1, 2018
Get a peek at what it's like to be on the Broadway stage from an author who grew up as a child actress on Broadway. In LULU THE BROADWAY MOUSE Gavigan gives middle-grade readers a backstage pass on what it is like to dream about being on stage and all the people that work behind the scenes to make the show happen. But, she does it through the eyes of a tiny girl mouse who dreams of taking the stage someday herself.
Lulu lives in Shubert Theatre with her family. Her mom is a seamstress, helping sew all the fabulous costumes for the stage. Lulu helps out in various places including applying eyelashes and delivering messages to the crew. They are part of the theatre family and much loved by everyone, even though they are mice.
Lulu is a delight, telling her story much like any pre-teen would with interjections and personal opinions all laced with a great honor to be a part of such a wonderful opportunity of getting the show on the stage. Lulu introduces you to all her friends in the show from the actresses to the child actresses and understudies to the costume designers and production manager and more. Lulu has a deep respect for the stage and her devotion to it shines on the pages. When there is some drama between the child actress and her understudy, Lulu has to find a way to continue to be kind and make sure the tension doesn't show on stage.
Lulu has big dreams of being on stage, but she is also realistic, she is a mouse. So, even though her hopes of actually being on stage are dim, she continues to shine and share in the excitement of each show, helping out wherever needed and encouraging everyone to do their best. She never knows when her change to be on stage may happen, so she tries to always be prepared. She knows almost all the parts by heart and loves to rehearse in front of her own mirror. Even though her mom requires her to do her sewing practice every night, Lulu someday hopes someone else will be sewing her costumes some day.
Whether your child dreams of being on stage or not, there are lots of life lessons included in this story. Kindness, respect, hard work, and empathy are big themes in life on the stage. Lulu is has a great sense of humor and her love of Broadway and New York City seeps off the pages. At the end of the book, Lulu includes a directory list of the best places to visit near Broadway. It is a list I wish I had had last summer during my trip to New York City, staying near Broadway.
Lulu is a delightful mouse and her story is endearing, smart, sassy, and just plain fun. It's one I'll be recommending to middle-grade readers I know.
Lulu lives in Shubert Theatre with her family. Her mom is a seamstress, helping sew all the fabulous costumes for the stage. Lulu helps out in various places including applying eyelashes and delivering messages to the crew. They are part of the theatre family and much loved by everyone, even though they are mice.
Lulu is a delight, telling her story much like any pre-teen would with interjections and personal opinions all laced with a great honor to be a part of such a wonderful opportunity of getting the show on the stage. Lulu introduces you to all her friends in the show from the actresses to the child actresses and understudies to the costume designers and production manager and more. Lulu has a deep respect for the stage and her devotion to it shines on the pages. When there is some drama between the child actress and her understudy, Lulu has to find a way to continue to be kind and make sure the tension doesn't show on stage.
Lulu has big dreams of being on stage, but she is also realistic, she is a mouse. So, even though her hopes of actually being on stage are dim, she continues to shine and share in the excitement of each show, helping out wherever needed and encouraging everyone to do their best. She never knows when her change to be on stage may happen, so she tries to always be prepared. She knows almost all the parts by heart and loves to rehearse in front of her own mirror. Even though her mom requires her to do her sewing practice every night, Lulu someday hopes someone else will be sewing her costumes some day.
Whether your child dreams of being on stage or not, there are lots of life lessons included in this story. Kindness, respect, hard work, and empathy are big themes in life on the stage. Lulu is has a great sense of humor and her love of Broadway and New York City seeps off the pages. At the end of the book, Lulu includes a directory list of the best places to visit near Broadway. It is a list I wish I had had last summer during my trip to New York City, staying near Broadway.
Lulu is a delightful mouse and her story is endearing, smart, sassy, and just plain fun. It's one I'll be recommending to middle-grade readers I know.
August 20, 2022
As a longtime theatre lover, showtune-singer, drama student, and now teacher/director of plays and musicals at a K-12 school, I completely fell in love with the premise of this book. Heck, I’ve even been an understudy, which is where the focus of this backstage story lands for the most part. Add in a sweet little talking mouse (who just so happens to share a first and middle name with my childhood pet hamster) living in a human’s world, and you’ve got all the ingredients for a charming little book. Unfortunately, Lulu’s story didn’t quite live up to its impressive potential.
I’ll start off by saying there were definitely a few moments (especially near the end of the story) that really sparkled. I also really loved the inside view on how a professional theatre runs.
That said, my overall impression of the book was underwhelming. The story was simplistic, the moral lesson overdone and heavy-handed, and the characters were mostly cheesey caricatures (with the notable exception of Lulu’s mom.) And (minor spoiler alert) I have strong objections to having the “bad guy” repent right at the end without any lead-up. If you’re going to spend the entire book showcasing just how nasty a character is without offering any clues that they might have good in them, a last-minute “oh let’s be friends” in the final pages is both unsatisfactory and unbelievable. Foreshadow it, for Pete’s sake!
But I think my biggest issue with this book was the writing itself. If you’ve ever wondered what writers mean when they talk about “show, don’t tell” I’d offer this book as a prime example of “telling.” Lulu’s narration jumps all over the place in a jarring fashion, and there are a bunch of “filler” scenes and and anecdotes that didn’t further the plot and just kind of served to pad out the page count. Part of that may be due to the fact that modern middle grade fiction often assumes that its target audience doesn’t enjoy reading, so it dumbs down the narrative to hold attention spans longer, but I’ve read enough good MG to make mediocre MG just plain unenjoyable. Pepper in a bunch of niche references to New York City stuff, quotes from a random assortment of musicals that may or may not be relevant to the target-aged reader, and enough fourthwall-breaking to make your eyes cross, and you can pretty much imagine what reading this book is like.
And maybe it’s just me, but I feel like more time could’ve been spent exploring the fact the Lulu was, ya know, a mouse. The only times it seemed relevant was when she was lamenting that she couldn’t be on stage. But I would’ve loved to see her using her mouse-ness to the story’s advantage. And so my quest for the perfect mouse story continues…
I’ll start off by saying there were definitely a few moments (especially near the end of the story) that really sparkled. I also really loved the inside view on how a professional theatre runs.
That said, my overall impression of the book was underwhelming. The story was simplistic, the moral lesson overdone and heavy-handed, and the characters were mostly cheesey caricatures (with the notable exception of Lulu’s mom.) And (minor spoiler alert) I have strong objections to having the “bad guy” repent right at the end without any lead-up. If you’re going to spend the entire book showcasing just how nasty a character is without offering any clues that they might have good in them, a last-minute “oh let’s be friends” in the final pages is both unsatisfactory and unbelievable. Foreshadow it, for Pete’s sake!
But I think my biggest issue with this book was the writing itself. If you’ve ever wondered what writers mean when they talk about “show, don’t tell” I’d offer this book as a prime example of “telling.” Lulu’s narration jumps all over the place in a jarring fashion, and there are a bunch of “filler” scenes and and anecdotes that didn’t further the plot and just kind of served to pad out the page count. Part of that may be due to the fact that modern middle grade fiction often assumes that its target audience doesn’t enjoy reading, so it dumbs down the narrative to hold attention spans longer, but I’ve read enough good MG to make mediocre MG just plain unenjoyable. Pepper in a bunch of niche references to New York City stuff, quotes from a random assortment of musicals that may or may not be relevant to the target-aged reader, and enough fourthwall-breaking to make your eyes cross, and you can pretty much imagine what reading this book is like.
And maybe it’s just me, but I feel like more time could’ve been spent exploring the fact the Lulu was, ya know, a mouse. The only times it seemed relevant was when she was lamenting that she couldn’t be on stage. But I would’ve loved to see her using her mouse-ness to the story’s advantage. And so my quest for the perfect mouse story continues…
January 29, 2019
A story full of heart and Broadway insider knowledge, Lulu the Broadway Mouse will delight fans who root for the underdog. Lulu is an aspiring Broadway actress and a devoted member of the cast of Shubert Theater. She works hard but know the likelihood of making her debut is about as probable as a mouse belting out “Tomorrow” in Annie because Lulu is in fact a mouse. Those in the theater treat Lulu as a peer except the nasty child-star Amanda who never has a kind word for anyone, especially her understudies. In a quirky act of fate, Amanda, who is never out ill, suffers food poisoning and Jayne, her sweet and lovely understudy, gets her big break...until stagefright sets in. In a desperate attempt to help her friend, Lulu goes onstage with Jayne, hiding in her wig. With Lulu’s moral support, both Jayne and Lulu realize their dream to star on Broadway. Full of spunk, Lulu is a main character readers will love. She is a true friend but comes to learn that opening your heart to unpleasant people will bring even great happiness. The dialogue is light and breezy as if Lulu is simply chatting away about her days living and working in Shubert Theater. Readers will certainly hope for more adventures to come.
Grades 4 and up.
Grades 4 and up.
February 19, 2021
Ok, so I picked this book off the shelf, and it seemed a little childish to me. Like, a mouse on Broadway, ok, cool, cute, but it seemed a little to young for me. Boy, was I wrong. I’ll admit, it was a little more childish through the first half, not boring, but what you might expect from” a mouse on Broadway” the thing with this book though, is its emotion. The writer is so good at pulling me into the story and making me feeling for the characters, and I think that is was set it apart for me as a “children’s book” I think children can read it, I think they should read it, but it carries so much emotion and meaning that I think makes it a really meaningful book.
It also concludes with an amazing message that I think people from any age group or from anywhere in the world should read.
If you like Broadway, a fast paced story, and a good strong friendship, you will love this book.
PS) I don’t even act, let alone know what Broadway is, but I still recommend this book %1000 to anyone.
It also concludes with an amazing message that I think people from any age group or from anywhere in the world should read.
If you like Broadway, a fast paced story, and a good strong friendship, you will love this book.
PS) I don’t even act, let alone know what Broadway is, but I still recommend this book %1000 to anyone.
December 21, 2018
I just finished listening to this fun and enjoyable audiobook, narrated by the books author, Jenna Gavigan. For anyone who appreciates the theater and plays at any level, this is the book for you and your entire family. It’s a great way to introduce children to the magic of theater. I have loved theater since I was young and introduced my daughter to it at a young age. I wish this book had been around then. The narration is lively and most of the characters are very likable, but as in any good story, there is the villain or in this case, a mean girl. It’s a great story with a heart warming ending. I highly recommend either this audiobook or the hard cover which parents can read to their children, or if the children are a little older, they can read themselves.
March 3, 2024
A cute, whimsical read about a little family of mice that live in a theater on Broadway, and their youngest daughter, who dreams of performing on Broadway one day! A sweet story about dreaming big, even if it feels inexplicably impossible, about supporting others around you, and how to be a loyal friend. We all need that reminder every once in a while!
Lulu will enchant and delight as such a plucky and sarcastic narrator as she pulls you backstage into the world of the theater. Readers learn a lot of specifics about backstage and all the many parts and people it takes to bring a story to stage and to life for an audience.
Lulu will enchant and delight as such a plucky and sarcastic narrator as she pulls you backstage into the world of the theater. Readers learn a lot of specifics about backstage and all the many parts and people it takes to bring a story to stage and to life for an audience.
February 28, 2019
If you follow my reviews, you know that I rarely give 5-stars. 5-stars reflects perfection and no book is perfect. This book is not perfect: the ending is abrupt and too contrived. But it is delightful in every other respect. The narrator has a great voice. The writing is clean and savvy. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it. I hope Lulu comes back for a sequel.
February 23, 2025
After reading this, I would probably be one of my new favorite books!
June 19, 2018
⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 - LULU THE BROADWAY MOUSE
...
Lulu is a little mouse with big dreams - she wants to perform on Broadway! After all, she lives in the basement of the Schubert Theatre, her mom’s employed by the wardrobe department, and she attends understudy rehearsals. Will she ever get to realize her dream of performing in front of an audience?
.
.
.
As a theatre kid turned theatre grown-up shaped human, I expected this book (geared toward a middle grade young audience) to capture my heart. The first third of this book is a bit of a mess. It’s too self-aware, too wink-wink-nudge-nudge, and it’s repetitive and circular. I thought it was gonna be a 1 or 2-star book for me for a while. It could really use a good, hard edit. Luckily, later in the book, Lulu’s voice clarifies, and the story - which is cute and captivating - becomes the forefront of the book. I found myself enjoying the end so much that it bumped that rating to 3 stars.
.
.
.
I received an advance digital copy of LULU from #netgalley - it will be published on October 9. #carlyisbooked #carlyreads #luluthebroadwaymouse #book #bookstagram #kidlit
...
Lulu is a little mouse with big dreams - she wants to perform on Broadway! After all, she lives in the basement of the Schubert Theatre, her mom’s employed by the wardrobe department, and she attends understudy rehearsals. Will she ever get to realize her dream of performing in front of an audience?
.
.
.
As a theatre kid turned theatre grown-up shaped human, I expected this book (geared toward a middle grade young audience) to capture my heart. The first third of this book is a bit of a mess. It’s too self-aware, too wink-wink-nudge-nudge, and it’s repetitive and circular. I thought it was gonna be a 1 or 2-star book for me for a while. It could really use a good, hard edit. Luckily, later in the book, Lulu’s voice clarifies, and the story - which is cute and captivating - becomes the forefront of the book. I found myself enjoying the end so much that it bumped that rating to 3 stars.
.
.
.
I received an advance digital copy of LULU from #netgalley - it will be published on October 9. #carlyisbooked #carlyreads #luluthebroadwaymouse #book #bookstagram #kidlit
May 8, 2018
First, let me just say, "Oh, Lulu, how I love you."
I was lucky enough to read an advance reader copy of LULU THE BROADWAY MOUSE.
Lulu is a mouse living in a theatre on Broadway. She and her family work among the people of the theatre--actors, stage managers, wardrobe, et al. And even though Lulu is meant to follow in her mother's paw steps (see what I did there?) and assist in the wardrobe department, Lulu wants to be a broadway star--she knows it's a nearly impossible dream--no mouse has ever been on Broadway before. But there's a first for everything.
Jenna Gavigan's voice is pitch perfect, spot on, gorgeous. I laughed out loud several times while reading. Lulu is beyond lovable, hilarious, full of drama and warmth. And after this, you will want to be part of the theatre, too.
I was lucky enough to read an advance reader copy of LULU THE BROADWAY MOUSE.
Lulu is a mouse living in a theatre on Broadway. She and her family work among the people of the theatre--actors, stage managers, wardrobe, et al. And even though Lulu is meant to follow in her mother's paw steps (see what I did there?) and assist in the wardrobe department, Lulu wants to be a broadway star--she knows it's a nearly impossible dream--no mouse has ever been on Broadway before. But there's a first for everything.
Jenna Gavigan's voice is pitch perfect, spot on, gorgeous. I laughed out loud several times while reading. Lulu is beyond lovable, hilarious, full of drama and warmth. And after this, you will want to be part of the theatre, too.
September 23, 2018
A little mouse with a big dream! Jenna Gavigan’s debut middle grade novel takes place in the Shubert Theatre on Broadway where Lulu lives with her family. The cast (literally!) of characters is well drawn and Gavigan does a superb job depicting theater life and giving readers a view of life behind the stage curtain. At its heart, Lulu the Broadway Mouse is a story that fans of theater or anyone with a dream will appreciate.
July 19, 2021
This book reminds me of my #theatrekid days but it’s still great anyways!!!
October 3, 2018
Lulu, Lucy Louise is what her mother called her, is a mouse that lived in a very large Broadway theatre. She longed to be on the big stage. She wss surrounded by a demanding mother, hard working father and three brothers she referred to as hooligans. She took part in various theatrical activities, like sewing costumes, being an understudy and other duties as needed. No mouse had ever performed on Broadway, but she believed that someday it would happen when humans weren’t afraid of mice. Her family worried she’d be set up for disappointment, and that a regular person would be scared to see a mouse on the stage.
When Lulu read as an understudy with her good friend Maya she knew all of the lines. But soon Maya would be leaving. When her replacement Jayne arrived, she and Lulu become good friends. They both disliked Amanda, the star, who was mean, rude and she had to eat a special diet due to various food allergies. As Jayne and Lulu prepared for the next big performance, and the just-in-case, things were getting worse with Amanda. She seemed to be meaner than usual. On one particular night, right before a performance Amanda had become sick from bad salmon her mother prepared. It was time for Jayne to shine but she wouldn’t do it alone, she wanted to have Lulu very close to help her just-in-case she forgot her lines. But with one slip up Lulu was exposed. The whole audience gasped at her tiny prescence. The two winged it and were surprised at the audience and all of their family and friends behind the scenes reactions. What do you think happened?
This lovely tale of dreaming big and following your heart has a lot of life lessons young readers can use. This fast read would be great for a classroom read-a-loud or for family reading time. Parents and teachers can open up dialogue on how to be kind to one another because other people have fears and doubts about themselves too. Relatable characters create a story that is warm and heartfelt.
When Lulu read as an understudy with her good friend Maya she knew all of the lines. But soon Maya would be leaving. When her replacement Jayne arrived, she and Lulu become good friends. They both disliked Amanda, the star, who was mean, rude and she had to eat a special diet due to various food allergies. As Jayne and Lulu prepared for the next big performance, and the just-in-case, things were getting worse with Amanda. She seemed to be meaner than usual. On one particular night, right before a performance Amanda had become sick from bad salmon her mother prepared. It was time for Jayne to shine but she wouldn’t do it alone, she wanted to have Lulu very close to help her just-in-case she forgot her lines. But with one slip up Lulu was exposed. The whole audience gasped at her tiny prescence. The two winged it and were surprised at the audience and all of their family and friends behind the scenes reactions. What do you think happened?
This lovely tale of dreaming big and following your heart has a lot of life lessons young readers can use. This fast read would be great for a classroom read-a-loud or for family reading time. Parents and teachers can open up dialogue on how to be kind to one another because other people have fears and doubts about themselves too. Relatable characters create a story that is warm and heartfelt.
July 11, 2018
Thank you to the publisher and author for an ARC of this title via netgalley in exchange for my honest review.
What a sweet, lovable story! I am so glad that I happened upon this book on netgalley and was selected to receive a digital copy. When I first started reading, I wasn't sure if I was going to like all the little pauses in the writing as the narrator speaks to us readers or explains something further. I was afraid it would become annoying and distracting from the story. Instead, I found it to make Lulu even more endearing and likable. The writing and the little mouse narrator quite grew on me. I thought the story and the writing were clever, creative, unique, and a delight to read. I thought the story had a sweet and positive message for the young readers it is geared to. There is an underlying message of never giving up on your dreams nor letting anyone or anything tell you they aren't possible. You see this through the experiences of Lulu dreaming to be the first mouse on Broadway and through the stories of the young actresses Lulu befriends in her theatre home. Through their experiences and friendship, the story also portrays a great message on friendship and how you should treat others. There is a lot of humor, a lot of information about theater and hit musicals and performers, and a sweet, touching story. I can really see the book appealing to young readers and felt that the message and writing were appropriate and enjoyable for that age group as well as for older readers. I am a new school librarian and I would love to get a copy of this book for our library. It is definitely one I could and will recommend.
What a sweet, lovable story! I am so glad that I happened upon this book on netgalley and was selected to receive a digital copy. When I first started reading, I wasn't sure if I was going to like all the little pauses in the writing as the narrator speaks to us readers or explains something further. I was afraid it would become annoying and distracting from the story. Instead, I found it to make Lulu even more endearing and likable. The writing and the little mouse narrator quite grew on me. I thought the story and the writing were clever, creative, unique, and a delight to read. I thought the story had a sweet and positive message for the young readers it is geared to. There is an underlying message of never giving up on your dreams nor letting anyone or anything tell you they aren't possible. You see this through the experiences of Lulu dreaming to be the first mouse on Broadway and through the stories of the young actresses Lulu befriends in her theatre home. Through their experiences and friendship, the story also portrays a great message on friendship and how you should treat others. There is a lot of humor, a lot of information about theater and hit musicals and performers, and a sweet, touching story. I can really see the book appealing to young readers and felt that the message and writing were appropriate and enjoyable for that age group as well as for older readers. I am a new school librarian and I would love to get a copy of this book for our library. It is definitely one I could and will recommend.
November 28, 2018
Lulu the Broadway Mouse by Jenna Gavigan, 248 pages. Running Press Kids (Hachette) 2018. $16.99.
Language: G (0 swears, 0 'f's); Mature Content: G; Violence: G.
BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ESSENTIAL
AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH
Lulu has a dream - she wants to perform on Broadway - she has everything: talent, desire - she even lives at the Shubert Theatre! But she is a mouse, and no directors are casting mice (yet?), so instead she helps out the human cast and is part of the show's community. Lulu's closest relationship is with Maya, who is understudy to the child role. But Amanda is so terrible to work with, Maya has given her notice and now Lulu is worried about the new girl. Will she be sweet like Maya or horrible like Amanda?
Jenna Gavigan knows her stuff! I'm absolutely gushing about this book. Theater geeks will love and identify with the dressing room chatter, pre-show routines, kid wrangling, theater jobs, and superstitions. The novice will appreciate the theater terms quickly defined (parenthetically) and Lulu's great descriptions of the spaces, people and events. Oh my, full of show quotes, dropped names and real restaurants and Broadway theaters! An afterward by Lulu with recommendations for visiting New York City, how to behave at a theater, and ways to get involved if you, like Lulu, have dreams of being a star. I'm gifting this book to several theater kids who will read and re-read this. What a joy!
Lisa Librarian
https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...
Language: G (0 swears, 0 'f's); Mature Content: G; Violence: G.
BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ESSENTIAL
AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH
Lulu has a dream - she wants to perform on Broadway - she has everything: talent, desire - she even lives at the Shubert Theatre! But she is a mouse, and no directors are casting mice (yet?), so instead she helps out the human cast and is part of the show's community. Lulu's closest relationship is with Maya, who is understudy to the child role. But Amanda is so terrible to work with, Maya has given her notice and now Lulu is worried about the new girl. Will she be sweet like Maya or horrible like Amanda?
Jenna Gavigan knows her stuff! I'm absolutely gushing about this book. Theater geeks will love and identify with the dressing room chatter, pre-show routines, kid wrangling, theater jobs, and superstitions. The novice will appreciate the theater terms quickly defined (parenthetically) and Lulu's great descriptions of the spaces, people and events. Oh my, full of show quotes, dropped names and real restaurants and Broadway theaters! An afterward by Lulu with recommendations for visiting New York City, how to behave at a theater, and ways to get involved if you, like Lulu, have dreams of being a star. I'm gifting this book to several theater kids who will read and re-read this. What a joy!
Lisa Librarian
https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...
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December 5, 2024Reads like a Disney Movie
Basic plot summary: Lulu is a (talking) mouse who lives in a Broadway theater. She dreams of being on stage. Though the people who work in the theater hear/understand her and aren't afraid of her (because theatre people are open-minded), she's told that the audiences will panic if she appears onstage. Most of the book follows her helping a new understudy learn the ropes, while dreaming of the chance be on stage herself...
I read this to preview it as a potential gift for an 8 year old who loves theatre, to see if it was appropriate for her. Overall it gave me the same feeling many Disney movies do - fun characters and cute concept, but as a children's book it simultaneously taught some good lessons and pushed boundaries.
The good lessons first: I appreciated Lulu's relationship with her parents - no "they oppress me and will never understand me" narrative, just a sweet family dynamic. I also liked how she repents of some wrong attitudes later in the book.
The boundaries that were pushed: some things that helped my niece's mom and I decide it wasn't appropriate for her 8 year old: the use of "good Lord!" as an exclamation, someone saying "God d---" (literally d, as Lulu is a sweet narrator and says she knows she shouldn't repeat the rest), several mentions of "praying to the theatre gods, and all the other gods", and a person Lulu describes as "he dates other men but will flirt with anyone".
Basic plot summary: Lulu is a (talking) mouse who lives in a Broadway theater. She dreams of being on stage. Though the people who work in the theater hear/understand her and aren't afraid of her (because theatre people are open-minded), she's told that the audiences will panic if she appears onstage. Most of the book follows her helping a new understudy learn the ropes, while dreaming of the chance be on stage herself...
I read this to preview it as a potential gift for an 8 year old who loves theatre, to see if it was appropriate for her. Overall it gave me the same feeling many Disney movies do - fun characters and cute concept, but as a children's book it simultaneously taught some good lessons and pushed boundaries.
The good lessons first: I appreciated Lulu's relationship with her parents - no "they oppress me and will never understand me" narrative, just a sweet family dynamic. I also liked how she repents of some wrong attitudes later in the book.
The boundaries that were pushed: some things that helped my niece's mom and I decide it wasn't appropriate for her 8 year old: the use of "good Lord!" as an exclamation, someone saying "God d---" (literally d, as Lulu is a sweet narrator and says she knows she shouldn't repeat the rest), several mentions of "praying to the theatre gods, and all the other gods", and a person Lulu describes as "he dates other men but will flirt with anyone".
January 3, 2021
Lulu dreams of being a Broadway performer. She has the voice and the dance moves. There's just one little problem. She's a mouse. Though her best friends are all performers in the show at the theater where she and her family live, and she has an important role behind the scenes, she knows there's not much hope of her ever seeing the spotlight. But a mouse can dream, right?
It is very interesting to learn about what a real Broadway production is like behind the scenes from an author who has experience there. Lulu is a spunky character. The problems she faces aren't crazy, just normal everyday stuff, but also relatable to even non-mice readers. I really liked the resolution between the stuck up mean girl of the production and Lulu and others. It bumped this up from 3 stars to 4 stars. Very touching and a great reminder to always view others with compassion. Highly recommended to theater fans and animal lovers.
Notes on content: No language issues. No sexual content. There's some psychological bullying, but a very positive resolution to that conflict.
It is very interesting to learn about what a real Broadway production is like behind the scenes from an author who has experience there. Lulu is a spunky character. The problems she faces aren't crazy, just normal everyday stuff, but also relatable to even non-mice readers. I really liked the resolution between the stuck up mean girl of the production and Lulu and others. It bumped this up from 3 stars to 4 stars. Very touching and a great reminder to always view others with compassion. Highly recommended to theater fans and animal lovers.
Notes on content: No language issues. No sexual content. There's some psychological bullying, but a very positive resolution to that conflict.
October 12, 2018
Smart! Funny! Sweet! Adorable! LULU! I love her and I loved the book!
Set backstage at the Shubert Theatre on Broadway, Jenna Gavigan's debut novel "LULU the Broadway Mouse" is a delightful book for middle graders who love Broadway, theatre, musicals and well, talking mice! For any young aspiring actor or actress - this book is for you. While written for a younger audience, adults will get a kick out of it too, especially Broadway veterans. Smart and funny with inside references for theatre fans in the know. I laughed a lot AND it's full of heart. It's a chapter book not a picture book so one must use their imagination. Perfect for an animated feature or TV series. Perfect for Christmas or birthday gift for a young person in your life. Can't wait to read the sequel! A good companion to Tim Federle’s “Nate” trilogy. I wonder if Nate met Lulu backstage at the Shubert Theatre when he was in E. T. The Musical?!
Love you LULU!
Set backstage at the Shubert Theatre on Broadway, Jenna Gavigan's debut novel "LULU the Broadway Mouse" is a delightful book for middle graders who love Broadway, theatre, musicals and well, talking mice! For any young aspiring actor or actress - this book is for you. While written for a younger audience, adults will get a kick out of it too, especially Broadway veterans. Smart and funny with inside references for theatre fans in the know. I laughed a lot AND it's full of heart. It's a chapter book not a picture book so one must use their imagination. Perfect for an animated feature or TV series. Perfect for Christmas or birthday gift for a young person in your life. Can't wait to read the sequel! A good companion to Tim Federle’s “Nate” trilogy. I wonder if Nate met Lulu backstage at the Shubert Theatre when he was in E. T. The Musical?!
Love you LULU!
July 6, 2019
In the end, I liked this book, but I still have so many questions about this world.
Lulu was an unusual character with a unique voice that took a while to get used to. But she was sweet and I did like her. She was pretty wise for her age. All the other characters were enjoyable too. It was easy to read and didn't take that long.
It also had some nice themes. The talk about treating everyone like a person and trying to see things from other's points of view was nice. It won't always work out, but people should try to be kind to others. And of course I loved the Broadway aspect of it. It wasn't all glittery and gold either. Lulu talked about how many people dream of it, but may never achieve it.
Still, I had a lot of questions. Why do these mice speak? Can all animals speak in this version of the world? What possessed the first lady to talk to the mice? Why are theater people more open to talking animals than everyone else? That part confused me. But at least it was a good story.
Lulu was an unusual character with a unique voice that took a while to get used to. But she was sweet and I did like her. She was pretty wise for her age. All the other characters were enjoyable too. It was easy to read and didn't take that long.
It also had some nice themes. The talk about treating everyone like a person and trying to see things from other's points of view was nice. It won't always work out, but people should try to be kind to others. And of course I loved the Broadway aspect of it. It wasn't all glittery and gold either. Lulu talked about how many people dream of it, but may never achieve it.
Still, I had a lot of questions. Why do these mice speak? Can all animals speak in this version of the world? What possessed the first lady to talk to the mice? Why are theater people more open to talking animals than everyone else? That part confused me. But at least it was a good story.
September 18, 2018
A fun book for young Broadway lovers! 3.5 stars
Lulu is a little mouse who lives in the Shubert Theatre. Due to literary magic, the mice who live in the theatres can talk to people and have become a part of the backstage world. Lulu, however, has bigger dreams. She wants to BE on Broadway. Until then, she hangs out backstage and helps the young actress playing the understudy to the child lead while being taught the art of sewing from her mother, who assists the costume designer. The book is told from Lulu's perspective, which is consistent with a tween who is a massive fangirl with big dreams. She has moments of jealousy and frustration, but she is also kind with a loving heart.
True to the world of theatre, there are awesome people in the production and some not so nice characters. The book mainly focuses on the young girls in the show. Amanda has the lead role and is every bit the diva. She is mean to her understudy, Maya, and acts completely differently in front of adults, but her behavior doesn't go unnoticed. Maya is a sweet girl who has spent the past 10 months as an understudy to Amanda but has only been able to go on twice. Jayne is the new girl when Maya leaves. Lulu takes Jayne under her wing to help her navigate the theatre and learn her part quickly. The two become fast friends and together they navigate Jayne's Broadway debut.
I felt that this was a book best intended for the younger end of the middle grade spectrum. It was a very simple story, but a fun read. Many children don't get to experience the world of live theatre, let alone Broadway. It was great to have all of the backstage people as a large part of the story to give them a voice as well. This is one that my theatre loving children will enjoy!
Lulu is a little mouse who lives in the Shubert Theatre. Due to literary magic, the mice who live in the theatres can talk to people and have become a part of the backstage world. Lulu, however, has bigger dreams. She wants to BE on Broadway. Until then, she hangs out backstage and helps the young actress playing the understudy to the child lead while being taught the art of sewing from her mother, who assists the costume designer. The book is told from Lulu's perspective, which is consistent with a tween who is a massive fangirl with big dreams. She has moments of jealousy and frustration, but she is also kind with a loving heart.
True to the world of theatre, there are awesome people in the production and some not so nice characters. The book mainly focuses on the young girls in the show. Amanda has the lead role and is every bit the diva. She is mean to her understudy, Maya, and acts completely differently in front of adults, but her behavior doesn't go unnoticed. Maya is a sweet girl who has spent the past 10 months as an understudy to Amanda but has only been able to go on twice. Jayne is the new girl when Maya leaves. Lulu takes Jayne under her wing to help her navigate the theatre and learn her part quickly. The two become fast friends and together they navigate Jayne's Broadway debut.
I felt that this was a book best intended for the younger end of the middle grade spectrum. It was a very simple story, but a fun read. Many children don't get to experience the world of live theatre, let alone Broadway. It was great to have all of the backstage people as a large part of the story to give them a voice as well. This is one that my theatre loving children will enjoy!
May 4, 2023
I read this with my grandson because I used to be a theatre person and he isn't at all interested in auditioning at school. He enjoyed it more than I did and would have given it 4.5 stars rounded to five, the half star taken off because he didn't believe the reason for Amanda's behavior! He said it was a charming story. I would have given it a lower rating than 4 stars because I have a hard time with just accepting that mice can talk and have jobs etc in the real world. I'll buy it when they can talk amongst themselves but I can't deal with the juxtaposition of the real and the fanciful. I also thought that Lulu's monologues were repetitive, but I rounded up to four stars because of all that it teaches the reader about theatre practices, superstitions and personnel.
May 27, 2018
This was such a fun read, perfect for kids who love theater (ahem, theatre) and still works for those who don't yet have a lot of knowledge about Broadway because Lulu will surely fill them in! I loved the images of mice carrying pins and pennies and drinking hot chocolate out of bottle caps...reminded me of Stuart Little, The Rescuers, and even The Cricket in Times Square. Gavigan paints a picture of life backstage, the excitement, the stress, and the potential conflicts, as well as hinting toward the enormity of Broadway and the surrounding city, the place where dreams come true. Even for tiny mice.
June 30, 2018
I received an advance reader copy of Lulu the Broadway Mouse and all I can say is BRAVO to Jenna Gavigan! Lulu is a completely charming character who had me engaged from the very start and I loved being immersed in the world of a Broadway show - something I know little about but found fascinating. I know my 9 year old will enjoy reading about child actors on Broadway and what they experience. The thing that kept me reading, though, was the heart of the story. The themes of friendship, jealousy, competition, and following your dreams are deftly woven throughout and build to an incredibly satisfying climax and resolution. I enjoyed this book very much!
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