WE BUILT THIS CITY

A 12-year-old girl learns about friendship and romance during her lip-sync performance group’s 1985 summer tour.

Stephanie “Stevie” Finnegan, an eighth grader from Cheyenne, Wyoming, who’s cued white, is thrilled to be old enough to go on a monthlong tour of 22 cities with Synchronicity for the first time. The group’s premise is that all children deserve to participate in the arts, even if they’re not exceptionally talented. The kids are clearly filled with confidence and enthusiasm, describing their efforts on stage as “rad” and “awesome.” Between performances, Stevie has a plan for the summer: to get famous radio host Casey Kasem to dedicate “Total Eclipse of the Heart” by Bonnie Tyler to her crush, Joey. Joey is charming, cute, and kind—except when his friends are around. On top of that, Stevie is worried about Brandon, her older brother, whose epilepsy may be getting worse. Even as Stevie faces these personal difficulties, the tone of the book remains gentle and upbeat. Though she takes a few steps down the dark path of wondering whether it’s her own shortcomings and lack of confidence that make Joey show his unpleasant side, she eventually sees that he’s not the person she thought he was and that she can’t improve him by changing her own behavior. She looks for real friendship instead, finding it among her fellow cast members. Eighties music, slang, and fashion are woven throughout, placing the novel strongly in its time.

A sweet, exuberant story.