Drama

Telgemeir, R. (2012). Drama. New York, NY: Scholastic

Summary

Callie can't catch a break. The novel opens with her mistakenly assuming that Greg likes her. That is quickly crushed when he explains that he is getting back together with his girlfriend Bonnie.  The thearer class is putting on a production of Moon Over Mississippi. She will be the set designer. Her ideas are bigger than the production budget so she must come up with ways to create her "masterpiece" with little funds. The title Drama doesn't necessarily refer to what is happening on stage. There is plenty of drama behind the scenes as well. Callie's personal life is also a focus.  She has a crush on one of the new boys and is trying to find a way to let her feelings known. Turns out he is gay so her once again her feelings about a boy get crushed. In the end, Callie discovers that it is more important to make lifelong friends than worry about love.

Commentary

This book doesn't get too deep like other novels.  It's a graphic novel so moves quickly. It appears to be a book about middle school kids and their crushes with some slight kissing. Then a character reveals he is gay and he ends up going on stage in the role of the a female character and has to kiss a boy.  Some see this as inclusion of homosexual content. But I don't. He was playing a role in a play. It's not like it was to boys having a relationship. The gay character is included just like there are characters of different race. He is just part of the student body.  This book is appropriate for middle school grades. 

Connections

Interview with the author

Other books by Raina Telgemeier. 

    

Connections to text

This like other graphic novels has pictures that help the reader understand the story. Middle school girls can relate to the main character Callie. They have similar issues. Books for this age group should be appropriate in text and content for students in the intended age group and Drama is in both areas.