Summary: Nate has a big dream. He wants to perform on Broadway. When an audition for a musical version of ET avails itself, Nate plans a surreptitious trip to NYC where hopes of being a star will allow him to feel more at home than he does in his own school.
Review: Federle brings us a character who is questioning his identity and takes us on a ride where we're rooting for Nate, the underdog, and wish him joy and happiness. A great coming of age story for youth.
Diversity: This novel features a kid who doesn't fit in. There are assumptions that Nate is questioning his sexual identity and teased by others at his school as effeminate and possibly gay. This is a story that isn't often told especially for middle grades and that is why I love this book because so many students who question their sexual identities start doing so long before high school where it is more prevalent in YA. This is a great middle school book and it offers a window and possibly a mirror for our youth struggling to figure out who they are.
Diversity: This novel features a kid who doesn't fit in. There are assumptions that Nate is questioning his sexual identity and teased by others at his school as effeminate and possibly gay. This is a story that isn't often told especially for middle grades and that is why I love this book because so many students who question their sexual identities start doing so long before high school where it is more prevalent in YA. This is a great middle school book and it offers a window and possibly a mirror for our youth struggling to figure out who they are.
Suggestions for Teachers: This novel would work well for lit circles with the guiding topic of coming-of-age. It would be a book that should be facing out in a classroom library and book talked.
Reading Level:
- Quantitative: Lexile 930L, ATOS Book Level 7.0, Flesh-Kincaid 6.51, 7.0 RMM
- Qualitative: This text is slightly complex as there is a singular first person narrator and the narration is chronological. Language is largely contemporary and explicit and thus moderately complex. The theme of an underdog achieving his dream is simple and accessible. Students who have some knowledge of Broadway and New York City might have a stronger understanding.
Content Areas: English, Contemporary Issues
Common Core State Standards:
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.6.1
Cite textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.
Cite textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.6.2
Determine a theme or central idea of a text and how it is conveyed through particular details; provide a summary of the text distinct from personal opinions or judgments.
Determine a theme or central idea of a text and how it is conveyed through particular details; provide a summary of the text distinct from personal opinions or judgments.
Describe how a particular story's or drama's plot unfolds in a series of episodes as well as how the characters respond or change as the plot moves toward a resolution.
Relevant links: Tim Federle's website, Teaching Books
Subjects/Themes: coming of age, LGBTQQ
Relevant links: Tim Federle's website, Teaching Books
Subjects/Themes: coming of age, LGBTQQ
Awards: Odyssey, Stonewall, ALA
Series Information: sequel is Five, Six, Seven Nate!
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