SHANNON IN THE SPOTLIGHT

A 12-year-old girl navigates OCD and rocky friendships while discovering her theatrical talents.

Shannon Carter looks forward to summers, when she and her two best friends take part in the local youth theater’s annual musical. Egyptian American hijabi Fatima is devoted to working behind the scenes, while performer Elise loves the spotlight. Shannon, who is cued White like Elise, describes herself as a hardcore techie, happy to stay out of sight focusing on costumes and props, but when the director overhears her singing, he insists she audition. One whirlwind song later, she’s cast as Brigitta von Trapp, the role Elise desperately wanted in this year’s show, The Sound of Music. Now Elise is ignoring her, and Fatima’s so busy backstage she has no time to talk. What’s more, following a house fire, Shannon’s maternal grandmother is temporarily moving in, and she’s quite the abrasive personality, often criticizing Shannon’s mom’s parenting, particularly how she handles Shannon’s OCD. Shannon’s therapist suggests they try some exposure therapy activities, and there’s this new boy at the theater who’s pretty cute—Micah, who reads Black. It’s a lot to deal with. The book thoughtfully portrays Shannon as having agency in handling her OCD symptoms; they affect her life without controlling it. A natural-born performer despite her initial apprehension, she finds being on stage exciting and fulfilling, offering readers a positive role model for living with mental illness.

A solid read with valid representation.