The Acting Bug

Brenda Baltensperger is a playwright, a director of children’s
theatre, an editor of children’s fiction, and the author of Fractured
Fairy-tales.

Kate and her best friend Maria audition for roles in a new television
series, filled with dreams of the glamorous life they read about in
movie magazines. When both of them land bit parts, a disappointed Maria
decides to turn down the role. Kate, however, accepts the part,
promising her father she won’t let her marks drop. Instead of being
enthusiastic about Kate’s success, Maria begins hanging out with other
girls at school.

This story about the pain of change and growing up features
well-developed characters and easy-to-read language. The story ends
rather abruptly, without Kate and Maria’s conflict being resolved;
perhaps this will be dealt with in a future volume in the Backbeat
series. Highly recommended.