dramaramaWhat’s on my nightstand? Dramarama, by E. Lockhart.

With a title like “Dramarama,” what do you think it’s about? A bunch of ambitious, uber-dramatic teens, who are misfits everywhere but the theater, right? You got it! As an unabashed lover of musical theater I’d probably enjoy a book if that’s all it were, but there’s more to Dramarama than that.

I love the journey of self-discovery that Sarah/Sadye makes. I found it touchingly honest. She’s a strong character who might easily be annoying, but she’s imperfect and vulnerable enough to win my sympathy. She makes it into an intense summer theater program along with her only hometown friend, Demi, a flamboyantly gay black boy who plays straight at home. Together, they take the first step toward their mutual dream of razzle-dazzle stardom.

Things begin to unravel (as they must) when they arrive at the Institute. While Demi rises to the occasion, Sadye finds herself sinking–as a performer, a girlfriend, and friend. She must watch as her best friend gets everything she wants and can’t have. Ooooo! That’s a situation that yanks my heartstrings.

E. Lockhart gets Sadye into and through those murky waters skillfully. I felt completely satisfied.