Dream, Annie, Dream: An Empowering Story About a Japanese American Girl Rising Above Racism in Middle School for Kids

by Waka T. Brown

In this empowering deconstruction of the so-called American Dream, a twelve-year-old Japanese American girl grapples with, and ultimately rises above, the racism and trials of middle school she experiences while chasing her dreams. As the daughter of immigrants who came to America for a better life, Annie Inoue was raised to dream big. And at the start of seventh grade, she’s channeling that irrepressible hope into becoming the lead in her school play. So when Annie lands an impressive role in the production of  The King and I , she’s thrilled . . . until she starts to hear grumbles from her mostly white classmates that she only got the part because it’s an Asian play with Asian characters. Is this all people see when they see her? Is this the only kind of success they’ll let her have—one that they can tear down or use race to belittle? Disheartened but determined, Annie channels her hurt into a new showing everyone what she’s made of. Waka T. Brown, author of  While I Was Away , delivers an uplifting coming-of-age story about a Japanese American girl’s fight to make space for herself in a world that claims to celebrate everyone’s differences but doesn’t always follow through.

Genres: Middle Grade, Historical Fiction, Realistic Fiction, Fiction, Friendship, Historical, Family

352 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2022

Reviews

[Maya Prasad · Rating 5 out of 5]

My kiddo and I were so excited to get an early look at DREAM, ANNIE, DREAM by Waka T. Brown! We read it out loud together as we've been doing with MG books. And wow!!! We loved it.

As the title states, Annie is a big dreamer. She wants to slam dunk her way into the NBA, star in the local theater production, and she also has her eye on a cute fellow thespian. But she keeps finding things in the way of all those big dreams: biases against girls and especially Asian girls. Honestly, I'm so impressed by all the topics that were broached in this book: appropriation, the myth of the model minority, lack of representation, casual racism & microaggressions, privilege and more. Who gets to tell stories and how are "stars" really picked?

All of it is tied together with the motif of Annie's big dreams. As with WHILE I WAS AWAY, I was sniffling at the end, especially when Annie's mom finds her script. Just wonderfully done, and it opens up so many great conversations with your kids. Can't wait to see this out in the world (release date is Jan 25, 2022). Thanks so much for the ARC, Waka!

[Van Hoang · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is absolutely wonderful and captivates the magical but anxiety inducing woes of middle school in the most charming characters. The writing is incredibly addictive, and I couldn't put it down. I laughed out loud and had my heart broken and pieced back together in the best way, and can't recommend this enough.

[Jennifer Hottinger · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an awesome reminder for middle schoolers! No matter who others think you are, where you come from, challenges do not need to be obstacles as you dream big and stretch yourself to reach those goals!

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book seals the deal for me, Waka T. Brown is now officially a new favorite author. I loved her previous book, While I Was Away last year and I've been looking forward to reading her newest book since it came out.

This book has everything I could want in a story - a great protagonist, dynamic characters, AND musical theater?! I read this book in two sittings because I could not put it down.

Annie Inoue is a middle schooler in 1987. Actually, her name is Aoi, but because no one can pronounce it, she's chosen to call herself Annie instead. Her parents are immigrants from Japan who came to America in search of better opportunities. Her father believes wholeheartedly in the American Dream. And Annie has big dreams of being on the stage as well as playing for the NBA, even though she's barely 5 feet tall. But the year she starts middle school she's suddenly aware of all the obstacles in the way of her dreams.

See the rest of my review here: http://historybookbybook.com/Dream_An...

[Michelle Kidwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dream, Annie, Dream
by Waka T. Brown
HarperCollins Children's Books
Quill Tree Books
Children's Fiction | Middle Grade | Multicultural Interest
Pub Date 25 Jan 2022


I am reviewing a copy of Dream, Annie, Dream through HarperCollins Children’s Books/Quill Tree Books and Netgalley:


Annie Inoue is the daughter of immigrants who came to America for a better life, she was raised to dream big. And at the start of seventh grade, she’s channeling that irrepressible hope into becoming the lead in her school play.


When Annie lands an impressive role in the production of The King and I, she’s thrilled that is until she starts to hear grumbles from her mostly white classmates that she only got the part because it’s an Asian play with Asian characters. Is the fact that she’s Asian, all they see when they see her? Is this the only kind of success they’ll let her have—one that they can tear down or use race to belittle?



Annie is disheartened, but she’s also determined. She channels her hurt into a new dream,, showing everyone what’s she’s made of.



I give Dream, Annie, Dream, five out of five stars!


Happy Reading!

[Alan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I utterly adored Dream, Annie, Dream.

Brown's previous book, While I Was Away was one of my favourites in its publication year (and remains so), so her sophmore novel had a lot to live up to for me. This beautiful, expertly-paced, and gently confident novel easily whisked me off my feet. The anxieties of it's main characters--from Annie (Aoi), to her closest friends and family--were deftly conveyed, simultaneously moving, revelatory, and relatable. While the novel tackles serious themes, it retains a sense of humour throughout, making it emotionally rich and layered in a way that not many novels manage.

Readers of all ages should enjoy Annie, and it's a must-buy for anyone with a connection to the theatre, as well as readers who feel (or have felt) ostracized due to their differences.

[Cherlynn | cherreading · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fantastic book that I devoured in one day!

I really liked how the story is split into 3 Acts; we get to see Aoi not only grow as a 12-year-old girl but also develop as a character. She's such a relatable and likeable protagonist whose journey I enjoyed following every step of the way.

The microaggressions and racism experienced by Aoi and her family made me so angry! I had to remind myself that the story is set in the late 80s to feel less boiling mad. At the same time, the book also feels like contemporary fiction because things like that are still happening today and people continue to face the same crap. Sure, we've made progress in the last few decades — but there's still a long way to go.

I would have given this a higher rating if not for the last few chapters, which felt a bit too fast-paced. Some of the characters were forgiven too easily and I wanted them to be more challenged. Then again, the 1980s setting is something to consider. I also didn't understand Ben's inconsistency i.e. what was up with the earlier flirting?

This is a beautifully written middle-grade novel that I would highly recommend to everyone regardless of age. Don't miss the author's note.

[Rummanah (Books in the Spotlight) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A powerful and at times heartbreaking story a young girl awakening to racism around her. Review coming soon.

[Kathie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Edelweiss+ and the publisher for an eARC of this book.

I loved the author's MG debut memoir, While I Was Away, that came out earlier this year about the time she spent living in Japan with her grandmother so she could attend school and improve her Japanese. Dream, Annie, Dream is historical fiction (set in the 1980s) and follows the theater experiences of a young Japanese-American girl and the racism she faces while chasing her dream to act.

Annie and her best friend, Jessica, take part in a summer theater camp's production of Annie. Jessica receives the lead role, though there's speculation she got it because she looks more like the orphan rather than for her singing ability. When the school does a production of The King and I, Annie now gets a large role, but she doesn't receive the same support from Jessica that she offered her in the summer. Annie is judged for getting the part based on her Asian heritage, and she is disillusioned by the way she's treated despite her ability to perform well. Add in racist experiences in the classroom, a crush, parental pressure, friend drama, feeling insignificant on the basketball team, and a writing contest and you have all the elements necessary for a great story that will appeal to middle-grade readers.

[Jen Nishi · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I could give this more than 5 stars I would because I finally got to see Middle Grade me represented in a book. From the age of 11-20 I was obsessed with musicals and theatre like Annie (the main character in this book) I even convinced my frugal-find-a-good-deal Japanese-Canadian (I'm biracial--half Japanese half Euro-Canadian) family that acting classes, headshots, auditions, and theatre school was worth the money, I was going to be a star! But just like how Annie and her family were faced with micro-agressions and the lack of diversity on the screen and stage, I was also faced with the blunt realities of the profession I was trying to get into. There were very few stories with Asian actors in it on stage and on screen, My biracial ethnicity confused people, and realistically I would be constantly cast as a child (I'm very short) or as the funny side kick. So I left and became a teacher determined to have each child have their voices heard and their stories told. Dream Annie Dream is a necessary commentary on the importance of representation of POC stories and creative works and how small and insignificant it makes someone feel when they cannot find themselves in the creative and pop-cultural makeup of their world. Absolutely fantastic read.

[Dara Yoder · Rating 5 out of 5]

So awesome that there is a book young kids can see themselves in! This is for all types of kids - Asian Americans, girls who play basketball, kids who love acting in plays, kids with family and friend issues…it’s all here and is written so well!! #bookposse

[Tina · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great middle grade novel set in the 80s. Aoi has changed her name to Annie so that people can pronounce it. She and her friend Jessica are starting middle school and excited to audition for the musical, Annie, which they recently saw in the theatre. Middle school brings new challenges as Annie finds out who her true friends are.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's impossible not to love Annie (Aoi)!This seventh-grader is spirited, optimistic, hard-working, and loyal. She loves the theater and basketball and she's very good at both of them. Even though she's only five feet tall and Asian, she refuses to believe that it's impossible for her to one day play in the NBA or be on Broadway. But middle school is a tough time in everyone's life and Annie has to deal with faltering friendships, first unreciprocated crush, and the reality of what opportunities are actually available for an Asian in Kansas in the 1980s. She's determined to remain true to herself even when it would be much easier to be what people expect her to be.

I really enjoyed this story and felt for Annie. Even though I know she's a fictional character, I hope she grew up to be an optimistic adult and kept striving for her dreams.

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book so much. I said to myself multiple times throughout the book. I felt like this growing up. The book takes place in the 80s and I remember having discussions about the things in this book. I wish this book had been around when I was a kid, and I am grateful that other kids will be able to understand that they are not alone in their feelings. Great authors note also so, please read it!

[Hoover Public Library Kids and Teens · Rating 5 out of 5]

In 1987, Japanese American Aoi Inoue (better known as Annie Enoway, “which people seemed more comfortable with”), dreams of being on stage. But first she has to grapple with (and rise above) the racism and trials of middle school.

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 1/2 stars.
Japanese -American Annie (birth name, Aoi) is a typical seventh grader. She and her elementary school best friend, Jessica, are excited about trying new things as they move through middle school towards high school. (In Topeka they attend a large 7th & 8th grade junior high). Just like in Wang’s Not Your All American Girl ( Scholastic, 2020) Annie has the experience of acing her audition only to loose the lead role to her less talented best friend who ‘looks the part’. On the upside, this time the director is aware of of the injustice, and though constrained by external factors, is supportive. Annie also has a other interests and talents, basketball and writing, as well as a supportive family. Her dad encourages her to get as much out of the minor role and the theater experience as possible. The great strengths of the story are in Annie’s character, the great portrayals of being part of a theater production and on a basketball team, and her nuanced relationship with her family.
Unfortunately the story falls down in the characterizations of the villains of the piece and in uneven pacing. This is a long book, 352 pages. And readers are given in depth, practically moment by moment, descriptions of Annie’s experiences and interactions with her best friend, Jessica and budding crush, Ben. So when in an instant both Ben and Jessica turn on Annie and the pacing suddenly picks up and lots of stuff happens that isn’t described and then (because the ‘show needs to go on’) the three are suddenly all getting along fine - it feels pretty forced. Absolutely I can believe old friendships suddenly end in middle school, but it feels uncomfortable when a story about the failure of stereotypes to adequately represent reality, leans so heavily on them. The mean math teacher has ALL the stereotypical physical tells - only lacking the mole with hairs growing out of it. No need to explain why perfectly decent, if flawed, characters would suddenly become insensitive, racist monsters. There is a line earlier in the book (p200) that occurs between Jessica and Annie after Annie (understandably) becomes very upset after being present in a class where a student says it was great the we ‘nuked the Japanese’. Jessica is claiming she didn’t hear the comment, and while somewhat supportive, is visibly uncomfortable. Annie thinks “People who looked like her generally were when presented with situations like this.” It’s hard to believe that the use of atomic (or even incendiary) weapons on a civilian population shouldn’t make one uncomfortable, just as it is hard to take entirely seriously that a Japanese -American tween should expect a white American tween to have a comfortable relationship with her culture’s atrocities, while the Japanese tween gets to apparently avoid complicity in either the USA’s or Japan’s copious crimes against humanity. Assuming you know how ‘people who look like that’ think or behave is always a problem.

[SamSamSam · Rating 5 out of 5]

I want to validate this poor child so badly. The microagressions! This was an excellent story, highly recommended

[Ms. Yingling · Rating 3 out of 5]

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Aoi Inoue lives in Kansas in the 1980s. Her parents moved there from Japan, and her father is now the head of a math department at a small college. She and her best friend, Jessie (who now goes by Jessica), are spening the summer at a theater camp, and Aoi has decided to go by Annie, since people struggle so much with the pronunciation of her name. The camp is doing a production of Annie, and even though Annie is a better performer, the title role goes to Jessica, who "looks the part". Jessica's family is much better off, and her mother, while nice, pushes her daughter. Annie enjoys the production, and decides to continue with her acting, although her mother doesn't quite approve. When school starts, Annie struggles a bit in the classroom, especially in math with Mrs. Olds, who is old, strict, and doesn't make math fun. Annie struggles with some allergies to the family's cat, and ends up getting allergy shots, which cut into her schedule. She also joins the basketball team, which she enjoys. There is a plya put on with the high school, The King and I, and Annie gets a good role as dancer in an important scene, and does well. She also meets a high school boy who is half Japanese, and Annie's mother is glad to make friends with his mother. Jessica claims that Annie got the role only because she is Asian, and the girls' already fragile relationship starts to unravel. There are a number of microaggressions with which Annie has to deal at school, from Jessica's barbs, to Mrs. Olds' casual sexism, to a well liked teacher who doesn't correct a student who says disparaging things about Japan's involvement in World War II. When her class at school decides to put on the play Alice in Wonderland, and have a writing contest for the dramatization, Annie is thrilled, since she is always rereading the book. Jessica tells her she can't be Alice because she doesn't look the part. Will the school, and a visting Hollywood director, be more progressive?
Strengths: Friend drama is always a popular topic in middle grade books, and Jessica and Annie's fraught relationship will pull readers in. There are enough 80's details to put the societal and racial situation clear. Annie's family background was very interesting; her mother was a flight attendant who met her father when he was traveling to the US for school. There was an interesting dynamic with the father sending money home to Japan, and the mother not being too wild about it. Readers who want to read about theater will enjoy all of the machinations leading up to the various productions. There is a great note at the back about the problems of older plays which should be taken very seriously. Our local community theater put on a production of Oklahoma in the summer of 2021, and I was APPALLED. There should be a list of shows that everyone agrees should be either retired or completely reworked, and The King and I would definitely be right up there, along with Seven Brides for Seven Brothers and Show Boat.
Weaknesses: While I understand that Mrs. Olds' was supposed to be a bad guy, her portrayal was odd and didn't make Annie seem sympathetic. Annie immediately dislikes her and describes her in a very harsh way, before Mrs. Olds' even does anything. Annie's poor grades are blamed on the teacher's racism and sexism, but Annie hasn't turned in a LOT of work. I could see the direction Brown was trying to take with this character, but it never gelled for me. It doesn't help that Annie would probably see me in the exact same light, with my (quotes from the E ARC) "faded, grayish brown curly cap of frizz", "drab "teacher clothes'", and my "prim collar buttoned all the way to the top, and even fastened with a cameo brooch to double/triple ensure that- God forbid- she show part of her neck. Her face was wrinkled, like an apple left out in the sun too long." There's nothing that I can do about the wrinkles in my face, but this doesn't automatically make me an evil, racist person.
What I really think: Theater books don't circulate well in my library at all, and this is a bit similar to Shang and Rosenberg's Not Your All-American Girl and Yamile's On These Magic Shores. I really liked this author's While I Was Away, but it also has not circulated as well as I would have liked, leading me to think that the cover art isn't too appealing.

[AnaLuz Sanchez · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was so excited to participate for the 3rd time as a book reviewer for Multicultural Children's book day.

This year I got to read the middle grade novel Dream, Annie, Dream. After a delay, I finally got my book copy last week and quickly dived in. Let me tell you, this book was worth the wait. What a great story full of great messaging.

Set in 1987, Aoi (Annie) is one of the few Japanese Americans in her small Kansas town. And she is a big dreamer. She loves basketball and dreams of making it to the NBA, she loves acting and dreams of staring in a play, she also has her first crush and wishes him to like her back. She loves hanging with her bff, and doesn’t mind watching her rambunctious little brother (mostly).

But there are obstacles for her to overcome. She finds things like biases against girls and Asian girls, cultural appropriation and lack of representation, parental expectations and the model minority, frequent microaggressions and lack of insight of those around her, bullying. It was on par for the tome the book takes place but also, it’s sad to admit that so many things still happen today.
I don’t want to make it sound like it’s all negatives in this book.
On the contrary, I appreciate how well it tackles these subjects. There is friendship, family support and love, there is a lot of growing and learning, there are dissapointments but also many triumphs.
This book can be very good to opening great conversations with your kids.

I also liked the Authors note at the end, don’t skip it as it gives great insight to what she wanted to achieve for this book.
I would highly recommend to everyone regardless of age.

Check out the full blog post for links to the Multicultural Children’s book day site for tons of other book reviews, resources and information about all the sponsors for this great event. Also look all the posts using #ReadYourWorld on IG

https://alsanchezbooks.home.blog/2023...

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Annie may only be a middle-schooler, but she has big dreams and they include performing on stage. After she is told during her elementary graduation that she can be anything she wants to be, Annie decides that she is going to try out for the community theater’s summer production of “Annie,” and does not understand why others laugh when she states she is trying out for the lead. Why should the fact that she is Asian-American have anything to do with what parts she can play? Unfortunately, for a small town in the 80s, it has everything to do with what parts she can act.

Brown writes in such a startlingly clear voice that readers cannot help but connect to Annie. At the beginning of Annie’s story, I was wary as her internal dialogue seemed a bit passive, but as the book progressed and Annie grew into herself, her dialogue (internal and external) changed to reflect that, and she became a force to be reckoned with but never lost sight of who she was.

In the past, I have noticed that many middle-grade books that touch on issues of racism and microaggressions tended to shy away from stating outright what the issues are, and instead lean on the reader’s ability to read between the lines. Brown does no such thing and instead faces these issues and more head-on. This is one of those books where reading certain passages were uncomfortable, and in that emotion, Brown has created a story that should be read by all. For those who have faced racism and microaggressions, they can see themselves reflected in Annie and her struggles, and for those who have lived in the comfortability of always seeing themselves in books, movies, and media “Dream, Annie, Dream,” leads to a reflection of self, past actions, and what must change in the future so that all children can see themselves in the materials they consume.

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

First sentence: You can be anything you want to be. My sixth grade teacher's parting words to the graduating class of Iron Hills Elementary rang in my ears, even over the deafening roar of the rocket motors.

Premise/plot: Aoi Inoue (aka "Annie") stars in Waka T. Brown's middle grade novel. The novel spans from summer of 1987 to summer of 1988. Our heroine is a seventh grader who is dreaming big, but, not without facing challenges from her family, friends, teachers, etc. Can she, an Japanese American, really be ANYTHING she wants to be? At the moment, her interests include acting, writing, and basketball. But her parents, well, they don't want her to be an actor, writer, or professional ball player. No, they are dreaming, of well, her becoming a professor or doctor. They definitely see her hobbies--which are time-consuming--to be a "waste" of time that she could be using to study or do "extra" academic work. Her parents don't seem as supportive as her friends' parents...but perhaps her friends' lives aren't all that perfect either???

She participates in a summer theatre program (1987 and 1988) and a school theatre program. The shows are Annie, The King and I, and Alice in Wonderland.

There's family tension, friend drama, and CRUSH drama.

My thoughts: I really LOVED that this was set in 1987/1988. Though the author never once mentions BARBIE. I couldn't help but be reminded of the 🎵 We girls can do anything, right, Barbie 🎵jingle. I loved that Aoi loves musicals. I could 100% relate to her struggles with allergies. And I think I bonded a bit with the fact that she was sick over the Christmas of 1987 too.

I loved the narrative. I loved the story. I loved the fact that this spans a full year. I felt the characterization was excellent. The setting felt very realistic. It was like stepping into a time machine.

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars — In my opinion, this book is either mismarketed or totally misses its target audience. The story revolves around Aoi “Annie” Inoue, a 12-year-old Japanese-American girl, who is coming of age in 1987. Instantly, I want to ask, “How will a current middle-grade reader connect to this setting?” I feel like this is written more for adults who grew up in the ‘80s, rather than their current almost grandkids. Also, setting recognition is a bit hard to see. It has an obvious connection in that girls have ‘80s perms, but other than that, a neon Swatch, a Time magazine article, and finding Karate Kid II at a Blockbuster video store is all it’s got. The fact that kids don’t have cell phones does not scream 1987. Regarding how this was marketed, it is presented as a story appropriate for 8-12 year olds by every review or seller I saw, and even though the main character is 12, I bought in to that because the Volunteer State Book Award committee also put this in the Intermediate, or 3rd-5th, category. SO, I purchase it for my elementary library. I feel, though, that this book is for 5th grade - or ten years old - and up. It doesn’t really fit how it was presented by professionals. Finally, I could appreciate the life experiences of Annie and be sympathetic, as well understand her and her family’s reactions to those experiences (though, goodness, that math teacher is almost too despicable), BUT when Annie and her family make fun of Ben because his name means ‘poo’ in Japanese, that did not sit well with me. That is just as mean-spirited in its intent as anything said to them because they are Japanese. Someone’s given name is not anything that he or she can help, especially as a 12- or 13-year old child. There are some good parts to this story, but because I got more irritated the further I read, those good parts are overshadowed.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although this middle-grade novel [3.5 for me!] seems a little longer than it needs to be, it explores in honest, relatable fashion how damaging microagressions are. As the author notes in the back matter, this term might not have been prevalent in 1987 Topeka, Kansas where the story is set, but that doesn't mean that these harmful words and deeds didn't occur. The protagonist, Annie Inoue, a seventh grader, dreams of acting and following her own dreams, not those of her parents, in particular, her mother. From being passed over for the role of Annie in summer theater before school starts to having her name Anglicized by others to watching her mother be patronized and dismissed by other adults, Annie slowly awakens to the prejudices around her and the truth behind the myth of living the American Dream. Annie's awareness unfolds slowly, which is appropriate considering her age, since she makes excuses for the behavior of others, including her best friend Jessica, while readers will clearly see her friend's flaws and recognize that she's using Annie almost from the beginning. Her dedication to acting and to basketball and the support of her teammates contributes to readers' understanding of her character as well as contrasting with some of the behavior of those she considered to be friends. It's impressive how she constantly picks herself up when she falls or when others push her down or block her way, and her dreams seem possible as she acknowledges that some folks will be ready to help someone achieve dreams while others will stand in their way and hold them down. As she determines which type of person she wants to be, readers may ask themselves the same sort of questions while also revisiting some of their own actions. I hope anyone who reads this well-written, often introspective book or who knows or IS an Annie will continue to dream.

[Jan Raspen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to this book, and it was great! The narrator did a good job with Annie's fluent English and her parents' English as their second language.
For a while, I wondered why the author set this book in the 1980's--I kept thinking that it would be fine as a contemporary novel, and then when the microagressions were more like MACROagressions, I realized that the author was making a point about what it was like growing up Asian back then. While some may think we've come a long way since then in treatment of Asian Americans, I disagree, especially after everything with COVID-19. It feels like we went back a few decades...
Annie's math teacher, Mrs. Olds (see what the author did there with her name?!) was a pretty bad person and bad teacher. I was a teen in the 1980's, and I didn't have any teachers like her, thank goodness.
One thing that I noticed that could've been better was the pacing of the book. Annie's involvement in the first two plays, Annie and The King and I, was very detailed. A LOT of the book was spent on those two plays, and then the big play that Annie wrote went by in less than a chapter. Her friendships with Ben and Jessica completely imploded, and even though they were in the third play together, we didn't get any details on how Annie navigated all that.
The blurb for the book made a big deal about Annie's friends grumbling that she got the part in The King and I because 0f her Asian heritage--but this was such a SMALL part of the book. There was a whole lot more going on than just that one microagression, and I wish the blurb would've brought out more of what Annie went through instead of just that one thing.

[Maria Antonia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Opening lines from the book …
You can be anything you want to be. My sixth-grade teacher’s parting words to the graduating class of Iron Hills Elementary ran in my ears, even over the deafening roar of the rocket motors.

WHAT I LIKED ABOUT THIS BOOK…
1) Annie was such a great protagonist! I loved her enthusiasm. And she has a special spot in her heart for the Alice in Wonderland story.

2) I loved her dad especially! And I liked her mom too. (I probably identified more with the mom then the dad.) I loved how her mom had her own little story arc in this book. But it’s her dad’s positivity that was such a good thing to see. (I also liked the little brother, Tak.)

3) The friendships in this book were interesting, to say the least. I loved how loyal Annie is. Really, it came down to how much I liked how Annie handled herself, even when she saw her best friend always getting the roles she wanted.

4) This book is about theatre. I thought it was a nice touch that it was divided into three acts with three musicals/plays!

5) The director Sam is definitely an interesting character! She’s so blunt. But I like how she connects with Annie, especially near the end of the book.

6) The story is also set in 1987, so that was a fun little trip back down memory lane. 🙂

FINAL THOUGHTS
I don’t always like the “you can be whatever you want to be” line, but I thought this book handled it quite well. The truth is, we can’t always be what we want, but that doesn’t mean we should give up and never try. And I thought that was the ultimate take-away for this book!

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could not put this book down!

I was thrilled when I saw that Waka T. Brown published another book because While I Was Away was one of my favorite 2021 reads. Parts of that book are seared into my brain and the same thing happened with this book. I'm flipping obsessed with it and it being about theatre resonated with me so much. The struggles of trying to please your parents while dealing with being different and in Annie Inoue chan's case also deals with being Asian in an all-white classroom, all the way down to overcoming fears of needles, it just hits too close home.

I know that many book tubers and good readers or general people who read kind of look down on juvenile, middle, or children's literature but books like this feed my soul. I think part of it is like longing to having had a better childhood, one in which I was able to handle stuff better. And grieving all the time when I just didn't feel like I fit in, which I still do sometimes. And in times when everything is so crazy and wild, a book like this just nourishes me and keeps my anxiety in check.

Inoue's happy ending was also a huge added plus. I also loved how her parents slowly resolved their own issues, pursued their own dreams as well, and started supporting their little girl for who she is, what a dream childhood. And the dad always trying to be fun and getting yelled at by the mom is a classic! In a perfect world, one day maybe someone can provide a similar experience to their child and it won't just be books and fairytales.

5 out of 5 stars! Amazing!!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[SOYAMRG · Rating 3 out of 5]

Annie is going into the 7th grade. She is excited to go to a new school, try out for the basketball team and audition for a part in the school play. She loves her cat and Alice in Wonderland and dreams of being in the theater or playing professional basketball. Her parents want her to become a doctor. She and her best friend both try out for parts in the King and I, Annie who is of Japanese descent is cast in the play as a lead dancer even though she had a disastrous audition. Things start to go downhill for Annie when she finds out that she is allergic to her cat and rumors are spreading that she only got the part because of her Asian heritage. On a trip to the allergy doctor she stops a Time Magazine article about “These Asian Whiz Kids”. She finds the article to be offensive and not at all what her life and dreams are about in reality. Annie starts to wonder if any of her dreams will ever come true but with the help of some good mentors and new friends Annie discovers that dreams can come true and may be even better than you originally thought they would be.

Lots of 80’s reference in this novel (Aqua Net hairspray, trapper keepers, Lavender eye shadow, big hair, Danny Manning and Mugsy Bouges as well as Asian stereotypes and discrimination make this novel appropriate for upper middle school readers.

K.B.
Children's Librarian

[Thomas Bell · Rating 3 out of 5]

The writing was great, and the character development was good. But I never really got into the book.

First, I couldn't care less about middle-school theater. And it seems like the entire city of Topeka was all gung-ho about it in the book. The author is clearly a fan of theater, but I was getting tired of it by the end.

Next, every single white person in the book turns out to be a villian, except of course the director (because everyone knows that theater is awesome, so the director must be a good guy). Even Ben turns out to be horrible - so disappointing. And every single minority turns out to be a hero. Even Natalie. In fact, she was a villian until we learned she was a minority - then she became a hero. Oh, boy.

I do like how they address the different types of racism that Asian minorities see. While people tend to make Africans or Polynesians more animalistic, Asians are portrayed more like robots. Either way it is dehumanizing and sad. I do like how the author addressed this.

But a lot of people like both of the above, and the book really was very well-written. So I could see a lot of people really liking this.

[Kelly]

So this book was supposedly from 1987 which I didn't pick up on until a little before the Blockbuster reference. I wish there were subjects listed on the copyright page. I liked the book, but I think it would have been better with a different jacket summary - it starts talking about 7th grade, but the first third of the book is about the summer before 7th grade. I didn't understand why that didn't get a mention. Then the jacket talks about one specific episode of Asian racism, but that was such a small part of the story. I think it would have been better to make a broad statement of Asian racism on the jacket.

Some lines that stuck with me:
"Can a person have too many dreams? I didn't know the answer to that question, but maybe dreams needed room to grow, like plants. They take time, and if you have too many of them, do they crowd each other out so none of them get enough sun?" p. 256

"'I could tell you my adventures - beginning from this morning, [...] but it's no use going back to yesterday, because I was a different person then." p. 290

"This past year I found out it takes a lot for dreams to come true. They take hard work..." p. 336

[Lee Födi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed Waka T. Brown's book WHILE I WAS AWAY, so was really looking forward to this one—and it did not disappoint!

Twelve-year-old Annie Inoue is a big dreamer! She dreams of starring in the community theatre’s production of “Annie”, the middle-school production of “The King and I,” and of playing basketball. But chasing these dreams means a continual confrontation with racism, sometimes from those that she thought she could really count on.

What I really loved about this book was the layers and textures, especially some of the surprising turns along the way. (In particular, I enjoyed the character arc for Annie’s mom.)
I’ve put this one in front of my wife—she was a theatre kid (well, I guess now she’s a theatre adult) and I think she will really appreciate the emotional ride that Annie experiences.

Looking forward to sharing this one with the students in my creative writing classes. It leads to some strong conversations about representation, inclusion, and diversity.