★ 02/15/2021
Albertalli (Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda) centers a close friendship in this theater-infused novel that swaps chapters for scenes. Best friends Kate Garfield, who is Jewish and white, and Anderson Walker, who is Black, have lots in common: they’re neighbors in an Atlanta suburb who both live for theater and tend to fall for the same guy each summer, despite having “no game.” So far, though, their communal crushes have worked out just fine. When their most recent interest, white “Coke-Ad”-cute Matt from theater camp, transfers to their school, though, he’s promptly cast as Kate’s love interest in Once upon a Mattress . As their mutual feelings for him test their friendship, Kate’s old friend and neighbor Noah, an “f-boy” jock, seems increasingly smitten with Kate. She’s not interested, naturally—he can’t even sing—but he does make her laugh. Albertalli has crafted a rom-com that’s not only sharp and funny, but distinguished by its casually diverse LGBTQ cast’s awareness that friendship (among friends, to be sure, but also siblings, and gasp, romantic interests) is as important as love. Ages 14–up. Agent: Holly Root, Root Literary. (Apr.)
Warm, heartfelt, and hilarious.” — Buzzfeed
“A love letter to friendship and giving yourself the chance to shine bright in the spotlight, Albertalli delivers another timeless masterpiece.” — The Nerd Daily
“The ever-popular Albertalli weighs friendship against romance in a novel that's by turns laugh-out-loud funny and thoughtfully characterized…. Packed with musical-theater references and sparkling dialogue, this journey of self-discovery sings.” — Booklist
“Albertalli has crafted a rom-com that’s not only sharp and funny, but distinguished by its casually diverse LGBTQ cast’s awareness that friendship (among friends, to be sure, but also siblings, and gasp, romantic interests) is as important as love.” — Publishers Weekly (starred review)
“Real chemistry between the different love interests in the book, authentic dialogue, supportive friendships, and Albertalli’s signature humor make this a must-read. Flips the script on battling over a boy in the best way possible.” — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
“Endearingly heartfelt...gushing with laughs” — Shelf Awareness (starred review)
“While this book is absolutely cute and full of funny banter, it's perfectly balanced with a juicy plot and highly emotional moments.” — Business Insider
“[E]ndearing and charming... Reminiscent of Rachel Cohn and David Levithan’s Naomi and Ely’s No Kiss List, Albertalli crafts a story that offers an honest and realistic look at high school relationships—romantic and platonic.” — School Library Journal
“While theater fans will especially identify with the story, recognizing their passion in Kate’s own, the solid friendship and romance at its core will appeal to a broader audience.” — Horn Book Magazine
“The racially diverse cast (Anderson is Black; Kate is white) is likewise inclusive of gender and sexuality, ultimately underscoring the story’s ideal that love is love is love, especially when that love is friendship.” — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
Warm, heartfelt, and hilarious.”
A love letter to friendship and giving yourself the chance to shine bright in the spotlight, Albertalli delivers another timeless masterpiece.
The ever-popular Albertalli weighs friendship against romance in a novel that's by turns laugh-out-loud funny and thoughtfully characterized…. Packed with musical-theater references and sparkling dialogue, this journey of self-discovery sings.”
The racially diverse cast (Anderson is Black; Kate is white) is likewise inclusive of gender and sexuality, ultimately underscoring the story’s ideal that love is love is love, especially when that love is friendship.
Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
While this book is absolutely cute and full of funny banter, it's perfectly balanced with a juicy plot and highly emotional moments.
While theater fans will especially identify with the story, recognizing their passion in Kate’s own, the solid friendship and romance at its core will appeal to a broader audience.
Endearingly heartfelt...gushing with laughs
Shelf Awareness (starred review)
The ever-popular Albertalli weighs friendship against romance in a novel that's by turns laugh-out-loud funny and thoughtfully characterized…. Packed with musical-theater references and sparkling dialogue, this journey of self-discovery sings.”
The racially diverse cast (Anderson is Black; Kate is white) is likewise inclusive of gender and sexuality, ultimately underscoring the story’s ideal that love is love is love, especially when that love is friendship.
Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
02/01/2021
Gr 9 Up— Two things are true about white teen Kate—she's always in the ensemble, never the lead, and she and her best friend Andy, who is Black, have always shared unattainable crushes. Both of those things are about to change when Matt Olsson enters the scene. The two crushed on him at an out-of-state theater camp and said their goodbyes, only for him to turn up in their theater room on the first day of school. To make things more interesting, Kate has finally been cast in a leading role in the school's musical and her love interest is played by none other than Matt. Now, Kate and Andy have to navigate this communal crush, with real feelings involved, and craft some ground rules to help them handle the situation and keep their friendship intact. Told in Albertalli's typical rom-com style, this book is endearing, charming, and packed with plenty of snark. VERDICT Reminiscent of Rachel Cohn and David Levithan's Naomi and Ely's No Kiss List , Albertalli crafts a story that offers an honest and realistic look at high school relationships—romantic and platonic. Recommended for all collections.—Alicia Kalan, The Northwest Sch., Seattle
In this audiobook a school drama club is in the midst of staging ONCE UPON A MATTRESS. In short order, a shared crush tangles up the bond between aspiring thespian Kate and her equally stagestruck BFF, Anderson. As if this sudden romantic rivalry isn't confusing enough, Kate also realizes that her goofy jock classmate, Noah, might not be the "f-boy" she has assumed he is. Narrator Bebe Wood channels the spirit of theater-geek adolescence in her skillful performance. Deftly modulating her tone and speed, she draws listeners into the full range of Kate's emotions: enthusiastic chutzpah, cringey naïveté, Instagram-generation cynicism, and soft, sweet sincerity. Listeners— especially author Albertalli's many fans—will want to give this audiobook a rousing ovation. R.A.H. © AudioFile 2021, Portland, Maine
In this audiobook a school drama club is in the midst of staging ONCE UPON A MATTRESS. In short order, a shared crush tangles up the bond between aspiring thespian Kate and her equally stagestruck BFF, Anderson. As if this sudden romantic rivalry isn't confusing enough, Kate also realizes that her goofy jock classmate, Noah, might not be the "f-boy" she has assumed he is. Narrator Bebe Wood channels the spirit of theater-geek adolescence in her skillful performance. Deftly modulating her tone and speed, she draws listeners into the full range of Kate's emotions: enthusiastic chutzpah, cringey naïveté, Instagram-generation cynicism, and soft, sweet sincerity. Listeners— especially author Albertalli's many fans—will want to give this audiobook a rousing ovation. R.A.H. © AudioFile 2021, Portland, Maine
★ 2021-01-26
Kate and her best friend, Anderson, do everything together—including falling for Matt, a gorgeous vocal consultant at summer theater camp. Their close friends say it is because they are codependent, but for Kate, Anderson is the person at the center of her life, and anyway, she thinks crushes are more fun (and less painful) when not done solo. Communal summer swooning is sort of their thing, and they expect this one to end the same way the others do. But when Matt shows up as a new student at their school, both Kate and Anderson realize they have to navigate this joint crush in real life. Not knowing whether Matt likes guys or girls or more—but knowing they both really do like him—they set up some ground rules so as not to hurt each other and decide to just roll with it. But of course that is easier said than done when romantic feelings are involved. The novel features strong character development and a diverse cast of primary and supporting characters; Kate is White and Jewish, Anderson is Black, and Matt is White. Real chemistry between the different love interests in the book, authentic dialogue, supportive friendships, and Albertalli’s signature humor make this a must-read.
Flips the script on battling over a boy in the best way possible. (Fiction. 12-18)
