Written by Andrew Keenan-Bolger and Kate Wetherhead
Jack and Louisa are MTNs, a.k.a. Music Theater Nerds. Twelve year old Jack has experienced the thrill of Broadway, but has to move to Ohio. Twelve year old Louisa would love to be on Broadway, but gets to do the next best thing – go to music theater camp. When Jack moves down the street from Louisa, she is excited to meet someone who loves theater as deeply as she does. Jack isn’t as thrilled at first. He was fired from his last job because his voice changed, and he’s feeling insecure. Over time Jack and Louisa become close friends, try out for a local production of Into the Woods and learn to be honest with themselves and others. Although this book will have greater appeal to kids who are also MTNs, any preteen could enjoy this story of friendship. The reason I didn’t give it more stars is because the writing is just average. Many phrases are repeated over and over, such as “he rolled his eyes” and “whatever.” Despite this complaint, it is nice to see a new theme for a youth book.
Review by Teresa Edmunds, Westbrook Elementary Media Center
Rating: ★★★✩✩ (3 stars)
Interest Level: Grades 5-8
Jack & Louisa: Act 1
Written by Andrew Keenan-Bolger and Kate Wetherhead
Grosset & Dunlap, An Imprint of Penguin Group
223 pages
Release Date: February 10, 2015
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