Dramarama

Sadye (Sarah) meets Demi at a summer drama camp audition and its instant love. They both have large personalities and obsess over musical numbers. They learn quickly, however, that Demi has the talent and Sadye does not. Their best friendship unravels slowly over the summer as they both come to terms with who the other is. I related a lot with Sadye here. She has opinions and wants to share them for better or worse. We both struggle with where, when, and how to say them. We make fast intense connections with people that peter out. The ending was vindicating. Spoilers!! Sadye doesn't fit as an actress or singer, but she fits as a director. SMH that neither Reanne or Morales suggested it. A fast fun read. Loved it.

Sadye and Demi have been best friends since the very beginning of time; well, maybe not that long. But when they did first meet, they became inseparable. How could they not be inseparable when they both share the same interests, most importantly of which is the theatre. Both are able to identify with each other, even though Demi is a boy, and are able to see each other's true selves. And now both of them are off to a summer filled with lots and lots of drama at their summer theater camp. The camp isn't only loaded with singing, dancing, tons of auditions and acting, but also competition, competition, and more competition. Sadye's life is just full of problems, but just as long as she has her best friend by her side nothing can go wrong. Unfortunately, the summer where Sadye tries to find her true talents is also the one where her friendship is tested - and we don't know whether or not it will last. DRAMARAMA far surpasses other books that I have read. Aside from the hilarious plot and narration, E. Lockhart adds in issues that anyone who reads this novel is able to connect with, from being gay to having parents that only notice you when you succeed. Just reading DRAMARAMA makes you stop and take a step back and really see how our lives are (and will always be) full of drama - and there is nothing we can do about it except hope that we have our true friends by our side. Another great read from this amazing author. Reviewed by: Randstostipher "tallnlankyrn" Nguyen

Sadye and Demi are two teenagers who are tired of their non-razzle-dazzle lives in Brenton, Ohio and decide to apply to the Wildewood Academy for the Performing Arts Summer Institute, run by a well-known Broadway director. Both are fans of Broadway musicals and Liza Minelli, whom they both adore. Their summer is one of friendship, jealousy, and new love. From "Cats" to "Guys and Dolls," this book tells all of the ups and downs of their summer, their new relationships, and just how hard the kids must work to be the actors they want to become in order to leave boring old Ohio behind them once and for all. If you're familiar with Broadway shows, this book will be even better. If not, visit the author's website. You can download the songs that she references throughout the book. I also sent this review on to the ALAN Review. :)

When Sarah meets a boy named Demi at an audition for a musical summer program, the two hit it off right away. Demi dubs her Sayde, and the pair become as thick as thieves. They are kindred spirits, or so it seems. Romance won't mess them up, because both of them like boys. Families won't tear them apart, because Sarah's parents are supportive but only mildly interested in her performing, and Demi's parents disapprove of his lifestyle even though they pretend everything is okay. When they both get into the program, neither can imagine the summer being anything less than perfect. The car ride there is a laugh and a half, and the first few days are full of glitter and gusto. They record their thoughts and musings on a tape recorder, documenting their experiences. But soon, their bond becomes strained. Demi finds a boyfriend and Sayde finds herself alone. As Sayde gets to know the other kids in the program, she finds herself both impressed and intimidated by the talents of her peers. She wants to be more than just a chorus girl, but she is unsure of her abilities. One day, she feels ready to take on the world; the next day, a less-than-stellar performance leaves her crushed. Meanwhile, the spotlight shines on her best friend time and time again - someone she seems to know less and less. Dramarama will ring true even with those who haven't any performing aspirations. In E. Lockhart's best novel to date, she delivers a solid, realistic storyline and peppers it with glorious lyrics, backstage rivalry, and plenty of play and film references.

This book is really fun and moving too. It follows Sarah-- who changes her name to Sadye-- and her best friend Demi as they spend a summer in theater camp. Great details about drama camp-- auditions, singing, dancing, and acting classes, the teachers' different directing styles-- make this a terrific read. The setting is not the only star of this book. The characters are interesting and likeable and real. From the girl whose parents seem to appreciate her only when she wins a role, to the gay teen who hates being in the closet, to the main character, who is sweet but sometimes thoughtless, well-intentioned but sometimes wrong, these characters are fascinating people to spend time with, and we care what happens to them.

I love all of E. Lockhart's books, and this one didn't disappoint at all. Sayde is a terrific narrator - every bit as smart and funny as Ruby (The Boyfriend List, The Boy Book) - and she's surrounded by a wonderful cast. I admit that I did spend a summer at drama camp, so that might be part of why I loved it so much, but that's by no means a requirement. The relationships Sayde has with her gay best friend, her roommates, a boy who may or may not like her -- they're all exceedingly believable and filled with both fondness and more difficult emotions. Her discovery that she's not outrageously talented, as her friends are, and the jealousy that she experiences struck me as being especially relatable. Funny, warm (and snarky!), mostly unpredictable. I pretty much guarantee you'll enjoy this book, especially if you've liked Lockhart's others.