Big Time

January 20, 2014
An American Idol–style TV singing competition is the backdrop for this addition to the Limelights series. At 16, Gerri is finally old enough to try out for a slot on her favorite show, Big Time. When the audition doesn’t go as planned, she considers giving up singing, but Gerri’s personal cheering section—including new friends from the auditions, a teacher, and Gerri’s guitar-playing grandfather—help her reignite her passion. Readers will want to ride along for the high hopes and disappointments, as well as the self-discovery that is part of Gerri’s journey to embrace and polish her talent. Simultaneously available: Hot New Thing by Laura Langston and Warm Up by Sara Leach. Ages 11–14.

March 1, 2014
Grades 5-8 This entry in the standout Limelights series catches you off guard from the start. Spunky, self-trained 16-year-old musical underdog Gerri attends a cattle-call audition for the American Idollike series Big Timeand she is axed for lack of stage presence! Returning to school to lick her wounds, she succumbs to a teacher's entreaties to join the new choral club. It feels beneath her talent, but she finds it educational and just plain fun as the group works on arranging a mash-up number to perform. These humble accomplishments are contrasted with those of Poppy, a girl Gerri auditioned alongside and whose progress through the Big Time finals Gerri watches on TV every week. Slowly, however, Gerri begins to be thankful she was eliminatedpracticing with fellow Big Time reject Keith is a whole lot more fun. Ryan keeps things speedy enough for reluctant readers while never shortchanging characters on their shades of gray. Here, hard work gets its due over instant celebrityand that's not a bad message at all.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2014, American Library Association.)