Tim Federle delivers an encore to his debut, Better Nate Than Ever. New readers can jump right into this sequel without having read the first--watching Nate Foster chase his Broadway dreams isn't to be missed.
Thirteen-year-old Nate is hitting the Broadway stage for the production of E.T: The Musical. He's been cast as E.T.'s understudy and Alien Number Seven, whose only line is "Blurp." The biggest downside to his dream coming true is his best friend, Libby, staying behind in Jankburg, Pa. But he leaves with a warning from her to steer clear of Jordan Rylance, a rich kid from her old performing arts school. Jordan landed the lead role of Elliott, and Nate plays witness to the pressures he's under from his mother. Nate realizes that even a skilled singer like Jordan needs help finding his voice.
Former Broadway performer Federle pulls back the curtains on rehearsals and reveals cringe-worthy moments, such as Nate's voice cracking while belting out a tune, and a first-time stage director who can't get Nate's name right. Federle also balances the off-stage drama of Libby's mom's failing chemo treatments with the lighter subplots involving secret admirers, first kisses and Nate figuring out what to write in his Playbill bio. Even on his path to stardom, Nate continues to inspire readers as he rewrites the script on what it means to be a celebrity and how you should always stay true to yourself. ("Whoever I am. Whoever I become. Just Nate.") Bravo! --Adam Silvera, children's bookseller