  | Casting April Author: Lu, Wendy | |
| Price: $22.58 | ||
Summary:
Sixth grader April Xue lives and breathes all things Broadway. When she builds up the courage to audition for the lead role in the school play, she thinks she's knocked it out of the park, until she finds out that she's been assigned to the stage crew. A day later, April overhears that the theater director, Ms. Rooney, decided not to cast her because she's disabled. April learns to confront her own insecurities as a performer and proves that she deserves a fair shot in time for opening night.
Reviews:
Kirkus Reviews (04/15/26)
Booklist (06/01/26)
Full Text Reviews:
Booklist - 06/01/2026 When Broadway-loving April Xue tries out for her school play, she delivers an amazing audition, only to be given the job of stage assistant. She overhears the new theater teacher say that the reason April didn’t get the lead is because of her tracheotomy tube. While crushed, April decides to work hard to show she belongs onstage, even if it means possibly upsetting old and new friends. April and her friends are all believable pre-teens, who are given enough narrative space to have motivating backstories, as are the characters’ parents and teachers. April’s exasperation at adults wanting to protect her without asking for her input, and at the overuse of the word “brave” for simply existing, is a relatable detail, especially for those with disabilities. April’s trach tube is simply a fact of life, and she moves about her day like everyone else. A debut novel with a lot of soul and a love for all things theater, Casting April shines a meaningful spotlight on looking beyond the surface to understand the heart of a matter. - Copyright 2026 Booklist.
