FICTION

Shai & Emmie Star in Break an Egg!

by Quvenzhané WALLIS
with Nancy Ohlin. Shai & Emmie Star in Break an Egg! illus. by Sharee Miller. 128p. S. & S. Oct. 2017. Tr $15.99. ISBN 9781481458825.
COPY ISBN
Gr 1–3—A lighthearted series starter about an aspiring child actress, cowritten by award-winning actress Wallis. Shai is a third grader at a performing arts school in Atlanta, who learns about patience and empathy when new girl Gabby arrives in her class from Hollywood, CA. With her best friend Emmie, Shai helps Gabby fit in and open up, even overcoming her own jealousy when Gabby is cast in a school play role Shai wanted for herself. This is a mild and pleasant tale of relationship ups and downs, with the bonus of a fun musical theater theme. Without becoming preachy, Shai models healthy attitudes and behaviors. The depiction of her loving, African American, middle-class family and diverse group of classmates is welcome.
VERDICT A good choice for readers who enjoy character development more than action.
Reviewed by Heidi Rabinowitz, Congregation B'nai Israel, Boca Raton,FL
With Nancy Ohlin. Best friends Shai (who's African American) and Emmie (white) audition for [cf2]Once on This Island[cf1], the third-grade musical at their Atlanta performing-arts school. Shai's dreams of stardom are threatened when a new girl from Hollywood goes for the lead. Co-written by teenage actor Wallis, the story is rather pat, but aspiring actors will be drawn to this new series; grayscale illustrations provide visual breaks.
 , Aug 01, 2017

Be the first reader to comment.

Comment Policy:
  • Be respectful, and do not attack the author, people mentioned in the article, or other commenters. Take on the idea, not the messenger.
  • Don't use obscene, profane, or vulgar language.
  • Stay on point. Comments that stray from the topic at hand may be deleted.
  • Comments may be republished in print, online, or other forms of media.
  • If you see something objectionable, please let us know. Once a comment has been flagged, a staff member will investigate.

RELATED 

BOOKS

Maddie and Mabel Ready for Snow
by Allen, Kari
BOOKS

Welcome to the Woofmore
by Gephart, Donna & Lori Haskins Houran
BOOKS

Eleven Houses
by Oakes, Colleen
BOOKS

Don’t Let the Forest In
by Drews, CG
BOOKS

Summer Nights and Meteorites
by Reynolds, Hannah
BOOKS

A Vile Season
by Ferraro, David
More
ALREADY A SUBSCRIBER?

We are currently offering this content for free. Sign up now to activate your personal profile, where you can save articles for future viewing

ALREADY A SUBSCRIBER?