Realistic, humorous and a bit satirical, Shine! is performer J.J. Grabenstein's middle-grade debut, co-written with her husband, the prolific author Chris Grabenstein (Word of Mouse).
When Piper, unassuming middle schooler and astronomy enthusiast, starts attending a ritzy private school where her music teacher father has just landed his dream job, she's not ecstatic. Although her cellist mom (dead for many years) was a star at Chumley Prep, Piper is not sure it's the place for her. Then the Excelsior competition for excellence is announced, and Piper sees it as a chance to make a mark equal to her mom's at Chumley: "I could have a plaque right next to one of Mom's." Can Piper win? And how can she stand out in a school full of wealthy, overachieving, snobby students?
The breezy text highlights the ups and downs of school life, the science fair, the talent show, class assignments that allow Piper to consider her life, and the mean girl behavior of Ainsley Braden-Hammerschmidt as contrasted with the welcoming attitudes of the Hibbleflitts (a group of Piper's nerdier classmates). Piper also gets a chance to show her stuff in many small but important ways: her willingness always to lend a hand (to overburdened nannies, school employees and frightened kindergarten students); her devotion to friends and science; and her optimistic approach to life. Though Piper doesn't share her parents' musical talents, she is a genuinely kind person whom readers would likely love to meet. With rockets and stars related to Piper's scientific interests decorating chapter beginnings and endings, Shine! is a quick read that gives kids a protagonist who is a thoroughly good person with some insecurities and a very positive attitude. --Melinda Greenblatt, freelance book reviewer